Politics and society

Health authorities in Nigeria have announced an epidemic of diphtheria in the capital, Abuja, after the death of a four-year-old child, local media reported. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said there had been multiple outbreaks across the country since late last year, with almost 800 confirmed …

Lawmakers in Ghana have backed a proposed amendment to an anti-gay bill that would make identifying as LGBT punishable by a three-year prison sentence. People who campaign for LGBT rights could also face up to 10 years in jail. The amendments were backed by a cross-party group of MPs, but …

Some 18 million doses of the first RTS,S malaria vaccine will be delivered to 12 African countries until 2025, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) announced on Wednesday. “Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Africa, where it kills almost half a million children under …

The United Nations has condemned what it called rising sexual violence against women and girls in Sudan in more than two months of conflict, the BBC reported. The UN human rights office in Sudan said it had received credible reports of more than 20 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against …

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has called for urgent action to address issues plaguing Rwandan football, including the presence of witchcraft, local media reported. During the televised “Ask the President” session with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on Tuesday, Mr Kagame said some individuals, particularly coaches, were involved in unethical practices …

The US President called on Tuesday, the US National Day, to end the “epidemic of gun violence” after a “wave” of killings, and a year to the day after a shooting that occurred during a ‘a parade. “Last year, a man opened fire during a parade organized near Chicago, Illinois …

Authorities in Tanzania have lifted a ban on night-time upcountry bus travel that was imposed decades ago, local media reported. The government says the changes came after considering the views of stakeholders in the transport sector, as well as improvement in infrastructure and security. While announcing the move in parliament, …

Nigerian authorities have warned citizens that several Sprite bottles circulating in the country are contaminated. “Particles” have been found in five crates of the soft drink at shops and a production facility, says the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac). It is not clear what those …

The French president was clear and precise on the question of a possible third term at the head of France, raised by former National Assembly president Richard Ferrand. The President of the Élysée Palace has no intention of exceeding his two constitutional terms at the head of France. While former …

Authorities in Morocco have recalled the country’s ambassador to Sweden following the burning of a Koran at a demonstration in Stockholm. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat called the action offensive and irresponsible at a time when Muslims were celebrating one of the holiest days in their calendar. The …