Author: Staff Contributor
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has said he wants to reinstate the death penalty for arsonists, following a wave of deadly forest fires. The official death toll stands at 12, but independent news outlets believe the figure is much higher. The president ordered the justice ministry to introduce changes to the criminal law introducing capital punishment for arsonists. Capital punishment remains in the country’s penal code for some offences, but no execution has been carried out since 1993. More than 100 wildfires have been recorded in recent days in the north-east of the country, most of which have been extinguished. On…
Sudan’s military-led government has lifted a curfew and state of emergency in Khartoum imposed more than two years ago, state media says. The authorities are taking this step 18 months after the army seized back control of the capital from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which it has been fighting in a civil war now in its fourth year. But clashes continue in the south and west, with mounting evidence that the war is spilling across Sudan’s borders. More than two million of the roughly five million people who fled Khartoum after war erupted in April 2023 have returned…
The South African airline behind a daring aerial stunt last Saturday that saw two planes flying in close formation low over a packed stadium has pulled out of doing a similar operation this weekend, the country’s aviation regulator, SACAA, has said. Airlink’s flying feat divided opinion with some labelling the startling manoeuvre reckless, while others praised the precision and expertise on display. SACAA said that while it had approved the applications and safety measures for the flybys, it was now investigating further following “discussions in the media”. Airlink has not commented on the reported cancellation of Saturday’s display that had been…
Uber has announced it is closing its operations in Nigeria – Africa’s most populous country – and the East African nation of Uganda with immediate effect The global ride-hailing giant said it had come to the “difficult decision” after a thorough review of its business. It began operating in Nigeria in 2014 and in Uganda two years later. Uber taxi drivers in Nigeria have long complained that prices on the app are too low, given the rising cost of fuel, and that commission charges are too high. The company has also faced pressure from rival platforms. The announcement came as…
Madagascar’s former Senate president has been sentenced to 10 years of hard labour over his alleged role in the violent crackdown on youth-led protests that helped bring down the previous government last year. Richard Ravalomanana, a retired general and close ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, was found guilty of complicity in murder by a court in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday. Prosecutors accused him of giving instructions to security forces to use violence against demonstrators during the so-called Gen Z protests in September and October 2025. Ravalomanana denied the allegations and said he would appeal against the judgement. From…
At least 22 people have been killed in a bus crash in eastern Egypt, the country’s health ministry has said. Another 28 people were injured on the road between Red Sea towns of Dahab and Nuweiba in the South Sinai governorate on Wednesday morning. Reports in Egyptian and Jordanian media say as many as 10 Jordanian nationals were among those killed in the accident. The cause of the crash remains unknown. The area is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. It is unclear how many people were on board at the time of the crash. In…
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency has dismissed more than 40 employees for alleged corruption and financial misconduct over the past three years. The disclosure was made by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman Ola Olukoyede at an event assessing the agency’s achievements since he took the helm in October 2023. He said more than five of the dismissed officials were already facing prosecution, while case files are being prepared against others. The EFCC investigates financial crimes, including fraud, money laundering and corruption – regularly pursuing cases against politicians, public officials, business figures and others accused of misusing public funds. “In the…
Voters in Guinea-Bissau have approved a new constitution that significantly expands presidential powers ahead of a general election later this year. The referendum was organised by the military government that seized power in the West African nation last November following a disputed election. Voters have agreed to sweeping reforms allowing the president to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet, create or abolish ministries and dissolve parliament in the event of a grave political crisis. The main opposition party boycotted the vote, saying the process lacked adequate political and institutional safeguards and threatened the country’s transition back to democracy.…
Landslides triggered by one of the strongest storms in decades have killed at least 15 people in the southern Philippines, as parts of East Asia brace themselves for the looming storm. Typhoon Bavi, which spans 1,000km (620 miles) at its widest point – roughly the width of France – is sweeping across the Pacific towards Taiwan. It is expected to dump rain on Taiwan’s north and east, and on a chain of remote Japanese islands, before making landfall in south-eastern China on Saturday. Dozens of flights have been cancelled while schools have suspended classes across the region. Supermarket shelves have…
