Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
Local council and parliamentary elections began on the morning of Sunday, May 10, in several districts of Somalia’s South West State, as part of the direct electoral process based on the “one person, one vote” system, in what is being described as the first such step in more than …
Somalia holds first South West elections in 60 years amid growing challengesJoy Online
… The Yemeni coastguard earlier said the tanker MT Eureka had been hijacked and was headed towards Somalia. …
Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Yemen and taken towards SomaliaJoy Online
… Essa Suleiman was born in Somalia, but came to the UK as a child in the early 1990s and is a British citizen The decision to raise the threat level to the second-highest threat level was taken by security and intelligence experts from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) an …
UK terrorism threat level raised to severe after Golders Green attackJoy Online
… In the decisive 3–0 win over Somalia, captain Riyad Mahrez (now 34 and entering the final stretch of his international career) dropped deep, dictated play, scored, and assisted twice for Amoura. …
World Cup 2026: The disgrace that still whispers Algeria’s nameAn opinion article argues that anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, driven by beliefs that foreign nationals displace local workers, threatens the informal traders, migrant entrepreneurs and township supply chains that sustain the country's economy.
3 hours ago · Joy Online →
An opinion article argues that anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, driven by beliefs that foreign nationals displace local workers, threatens the informal traders, migrant entrepreneurs and township supply chains that sustain the country's economy.
3 hours ago · Joy Online →
The ECOWAS Commission has expressed condolences on the death of former Commission President Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, describing his passing as a major loss to Ghana, West Africa, and the international diplomatic community. Gbeho served as ECOWAS Commission President from February 2010 to March 2012 and held several high-profile positions including Ghana's Foreign Minister and UN Ambassador.
10 hours ago · Joy Online →
Four members of Iran's World Cup delegation have won appeals against US visa rejections, but 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US. Iran's team is based in Mexico after initially being denied visas for backroom staff members.
14 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Infantino said the organization cannot override government decisions on visa and immigration matters, addressing a case where a Somali referee was denied U.S. entry despite holding a valid visa. Infantino stressed that FIFA is working behind the scenes on outstanding issues but acknowledged that immigration decisions ultimately rest with national authorities.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the US and barred from World Cup duty by American authorities, has been selected by UEFA to officiate the August 12 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.
12 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, barred from the World Cup by US authorities despite holding a valid visa, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, following a cooperation agreement between European soccer's governing body and the Confederation of African Football.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee barred from entering the United States for World Cup duty due to visa and vetting concerns, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A US official said 34-year-old Somali referee Omar Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was denied entry at Miami International Airport because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations." Artan was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was turned away despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid US visa; he told the New York Times that border officials questioned him over links to Al Shabab and that he knows nothing about the group.
11 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee selected for his first World Cup, was denied entry to the US by the Trump administration over alleged links to suspected members of terror organisations. He returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday and called the decision "unfortunate," saying he will attempt to officiate at the next tournament.
11 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Omar Artan, a 34-year-old Somali referee and Africa's 2025 referee of the year, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport on Monday because of alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations," according to a Trump administration official. Artan, who held a diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa and was set to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals, was questioned about links to Al Shabab and told border officials he knew nothing about the group.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told journalists to "chill, relax" about controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, including a Somali referee's refusal of entry to the United States, an Iraqi player's questioning at Chicago airport, and Iran's forced base relocation and visa denials. Infantino described the referee's rejection as merely "unfortunate" and defended US President Donald Trump as essential to hosting the tournament.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from Somalia to referee at a World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport and dropped from the 2026 World Cup officials list, despite holding what he described as the "right papers" and "right visa." The US immigration authorities provided no reason for the denial, though Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by the Trump administration.
10 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport and dropped from the 2026 World Cup officials list after an 11-hour immigration interview, despite holding valid papers and visa. No reason was issued by US immigration authorities, though Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Trump's administration.
10 June 2026 · Daily Guide →
Somali referee Omar Artan was barred from entering the United States at Miami International Airport and dropped from the World Cup 2026 officials list, despite holding valid papers and visa. No reason for the denial was issued by US immigration authorities, though Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by the Trump administration.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport and dropped from the World Cup officials list, despite holding valid documents and visa. No reason for his repatriation was issued by US immigration authorities, though Somalia is on a travel ban list; FIFA says Artan will miss the tournament.
10 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Somali referee Omar Artan says he was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup despite holding valid papers and visa, after an 11-hour immigration interview at Miami International Airport. Artan, who would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals, was dropped from the officials list; FIFA confirmed he will be unable to officiate at the tournament.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Omar Artan, the 2025 CAF men's referee of the year and set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. FIFA confirmed he will be unable to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, citing host-country immigration processes as outside FIFA's control; Somalia is among countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.
8 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A 34-year-old former child soldier in Mogadishu, Somalia, continues to battle psychological trauma from his involvement in the Islamist insurgency that erupted nearly 20 years ago, while the city has limited resources devoted to supporting those suffering from conflict-related mental health issues.
7 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Government forces and opposition fighters exchanged heavy gunfire in Somalia's capital after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud extended his term by a year following its expiry on 15 May, which the opposition called unconstitutional. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire accused government forces of attacking opposition leaders preparing for planned Thursday protests.
4 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The United Nations General Assembly elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe to the 15-member Security Council for two-year terms starting January 1, 2027. Germany, which campaigned for a seat, received 104 votes but finished third behind Portugal (134) and Austria (131) in the Western European group competition.
3 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Political activist Solomon Owusu and lawyer Andrew Appiah-Danquah have filed a petition with the African Union seeking the removal of Wamkele Keabetswe Mene as Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, citing recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa and arguing that the nation's leadership of the trade body is inconsistent with African unity and integration goals.
1 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Political activist Solomon Owusu and lawyer Andrew Appiah-Danquah have petitioned the African Union to remove the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, citing South Africa's recurring xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans as incompatible with the continental trade bloc's values and objectives.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill criminalises homosexuality and LGBTQ+ advocacy, with penalties of up to three years' imprisonment for identifying as LGBTQ+ and up to ten years for promoting LGBTQ+ activities. The legislation also requires citizens to report suspected violations to police and forces a reckoning over the nation's democratic identity, fiscal stability, and international partnerships.
1 June 2026 · Joy Online →
US President Donald Trump's new counter-terrorism strategy for Africa replaces long-term troop deployments and nation-building with short-term campaigns and cooperation with local authorities, using defined timelines and targets to eliminate threats before withdrawing. The strategy aims to prevent Jihadist groups from establishing bases threatening US interests and to protect Christians from attacks, while also expanding the definition of terrorism to include drug cartels and left-wing anarchists.
21 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
The Black Stars have been placed in Group C alongside Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, and Somalia for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, drawn in Cairo on Tuesday. The top two teams from each of 12 groups will qualify for the finals, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
20 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
Ghana has been drawn in Group C of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia, with the finals to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Two teams will qualify from each of the 12 groups for the tournament.
19 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana has been placed in Group C for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, alongside Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, and Somalia. The qualifiers will begin later in 2026, with matches scheduled across FIFA windows in September–October 2026, November 2026, and March 2027.
19 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The African Union Commission expressed concern after high-level negotiations between Somalia's Federal Government and the Somali Future Council in Mogadishu (May 13–15) ended without consensus. The Commission commended both sides' willingness to engage in dialogue and urged all parties to recommit to inclusive political negotiation guided by mutual compromise.
16 May 2026 · Joy Online →
South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled that foreign nationals cannot reapply for asylum once rejected, saying unlimited repeat applications could create administrative chaos and prevent deportations. The ruling ended a case brought by two Burundians who had reapplied after their 2014 rejections, arguing changed circumstances warranted reconsideration.
13 May 2026 · Joy Online →
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, has been sworn in for a seventh consecutive term following his January election victory with more than 70% of the vote. His main rival Bobi Wine rejected the result, alleging ballot-stuffing and fleeing the country, while Museveni pledged to focus on creating wealth and jobs over his term expected to end in 2031.
13 May 2026 · Joy Online →