International
The latest reporting, context, and conversations from this desk.
Cabo Verde certified as Malaria-Free
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country, marking a significant achievement in global health. With this announcement, Cabo Verde joins the ranks of 43 countries and 1 territory that WHO has awarded this certification. Cabo Verde is the third country to be certified in the WHO African region, joining…
Somalia army recaptures key town from Al Shabaab militants
The Somali National Army backed by local forces on Wednesday recaptured Masagaway town in the Galguduud region of central Somalia’s Galmudug State from Al Shabaab militants after an operation. Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala, the deputy minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, said the troops managed to liberate the strategic town…
Outcry over raids on civilians in South Sudan capital
Residents and foreign nationals in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, have reported instances of harassment during unannounced raids conducted by the military. According to the local NGO Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, over 120 individuals have filed formal complaints alleging that security forces stormed homes and businesses without prior notice. These reports include accounts of soldiers…
Firefighters battle wildfire for third day in South Africa
Firefighters in Cape Town are continuing to battle a wildfire for a third consecutive day after it broke out on a mountain overlooking Simon’s Town. The blaze, which started early Tuesday morning roughly 40km south of the city, spread rapidly due to heavy winds. Local officials reported that nineteen fire engines and multiple crews worked…
UN Peacekeepers Injured by Explosives During Final Withdrawal from Northern Mali
Nearly two dozen United Nations peacekeepers were injured in northern Mali when their convoy struck two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the town of Anefis. This incident occurred during the force’s 350km (220-mile) withdrawal from Kidal to Gao, a journey that has seen a total of six explosive attacks resulting in at least 39 injuries…
Canada embassy explosion: Two people killed in blast in Nigeria
An explosion at Canada’s High Commission in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has killed two people and injured two others, Nigerian officials say. A fire broke out when generators, containing 2,000 litres of diesel, were being serviced, a spokeswoman for Nigeria’s emergency services said. The two people killed were Nigerian maintenance workers, Nkechi Isa told the Associated…
Niger Junta Claims Thwarted Escape Attempt by Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum
Niger’s military government has announced that it successfully blocked an attempt by deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to flee from custody during the early hours of Thursday morning. According to a military spokesperson, the former leader attempted to escape alongside his family, security personnel, and household staff. The elaborate plan reportedly involved traveling to a prearranged…
UN Warns of Potential War Crimes and Forced Displacement in Gaza
The United Nations is renewing its urgent plea for aid agencies to be granted access to Gaza while warning that current military actions may constitute war crimes. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern that the Israeli military’s directive for Palestinians to relocate from the north to the…
Burkina Faso Delivers 265 Supply Trucks to Niger Amid ECOWAS Sanctions
The military junta in Niger has confirmed the arrival of 265 trucks carrying basic commodities from Burkina Faso, strengthening the ties between the two neighboring military-led governments. Minister of Commerce and Industry Seydou Asman received the convoy at the Niamey-Tillabery Regional Customs Directorate, noting that the shipment is part of a joint initiative to secure…
Starlink launched in Kenya
Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm Starlink has operationalised services in the Kenyan market, setting the stage for intensified competition with local players including Safaricom, Jamii Telecommunications Limited and Zuku. The multinational, an outgrowth of Musk’s space technology firm SpaceX, has further appointed local internet firm Karibu Connect as its first authorised reseller in Kenya with…