The 2026 World Cup kicked off last night in Mexico, after a series of controversies in the lead up, including over visas for foreign teams, fans, media and officials hoping to go to the host countries: US, Canada and Mexico.

The latest scandal involves Fifa dropping Somali referee Omar Artan, after the US refused him entry.

Fifa‘s president Gianni Infantino said “we don’t control everything”, and asked critics to “chill”.

US Customs and Borders protection said in a statement that “derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations” was discovered after Omar Artan landed at Miami International Airport to attend the tournament.

Artan says he told border officials he knows nothing about the Somali militant group Al Shabab.

Today, we speak to Charles Gitonga, senior journalist and host of the BBC’s Focus on Africa podcast, about how Africans are reacting to the news, and whether the controversies will have long-term consequences for US-Africa relations.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:08 Who is referee Omar Artan?
05:34 Why was Omar Artan refused entry into the US?
08:37 Why can’t he referee in Mexico or Canada?
10:45 What was Omar Artan said since?
12:29 What has Fifa President Gianni Infantino said?
16:51 What has Donald Trump said about African countries?
20:30 What do Africans think about the World Cup in the US?

#WorldCup #OmarArtan #US

source

US President Donald Trump has confirmed reports, initially from Pakistan, that the US and Iran have reached a deal. “Ships of the …

source

UK Inflation remained at 2.8% in the year to May as the pace of food price rises slowed to a 17-month low, official figures show, but is still above the Bank of England’s 2% target.

Transport costs rose by the fastest rate, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says, while the rate of price increases in meat, dairy and vegetables eased.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the news, saying the government has “got the right economic plan”.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news
#Inflation #UK #BBCNews

source

Today, what difference will banning social media make to children’s lives?

Speaking the day after the announcement of a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaks to Adam in the Newscast studio.

They discuss: if children need to be bored more; whether it’s OK for parents to watch YouTube with their children; and whether the school day should be longer?

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews #UKPolitics #Education

source

Millions of children in the UK will be forced off social media after the government announced it would ban under-16s from accessing a range of platforms.

Apps including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will become inaccessible for children, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.

“We hope to pass regulation before Christmas,” he said, with the ban coming into force in spring 2027.

Tech companies including Meta, Snapchat and YouTube warned a blanket ban would move children into more unsafe online environments.

The government is yet to release the full list of platforms affected, but said YouTube, Facebook and X would also be included.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews

source