Emmanuel Akinwotu

Pope Leo XIV leaves at the end of a meeting for peace at Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, with the local community Thurs. April 16th, 2026, on the fourth day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa.

Pope Leo XIV leaves at the end of a meeting for peace at Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, with the local community, April 16, 2026, on the fourth day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa.

As Pope Leo continues his 11-day tour of Africa, the visit is being overshadowed by tensions with Washington. Copyright 2026 NPR

Mali's worsening crisis sees jihadist and separatist advances, deepening instability and increasing fears of wider Sahel regional collapse.

Mali's worsening crisis sees jihadist and separatist advances, deepening instability and increasing fears of wider Sahel regional collapse.

Residents look on during demolition of houses in Makoko, a floating slum in Lagos, on January 9, 2026.

A new report shows global conflicts surged in 2025, reaching levels not seen since World War II.

Volunteers evacuate injured civilians from a hospital following Russian attacks in Druzhkivka, Ukraine, on June 10, 2026 Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

A World Cup dream denied — Somali referee Omar Artan receives a hero's welcome at home after being blocked from entering the United States and taking part in the World Cup.

Soccer’s biggest event is officially underway as the 2026 World Cup kicked off in Mexico. The games will be played in Canada and the U.S. as well, but we go to Mexico City, the capital of the most soccer-obsessed host country, to hear about the jubilant atmosphere. And a Somali referee who was set to make history officiating the World Cup was denied entry to the U.S. He returned to Mogadishu to a hero’s welcome.