Politics and society

Iranian government restricted Instagram and WhatsApp apps in the country, in response to protests that have been taking place since last week and which it is trying to quell. According to Internet watchdog NetBlocks, WhatsApp’s servers, a few hours after those of Instagram, were disrupted on several Internet service providers. …

An outbreak of the skin condition scabies affected about 25,000 people in an eastern district near the capital, Kampala, the BBC reported citing health authorities. Head of health services in Pallisa district, Geoffrey Mulekwa, is quoted by the BBC as saying that those affected were from fishing villages in Kasodo …

The death penalty has been abolished in Equatorial Guinea, according to a new criminal code signed by President Teodoro Obiang, state media has reported. The last execution in the country took place eight years ago. Mr Obiang’s son, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, described the decision as “historical and memorable,” …

Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission has paid about $700,000 (£607,000) in compensation to victims of police brutality. Fifty-eight people, mainly family members of victims of rights violations, were awarded varying sums. It follows investigations into complaints by families of victims who accused the police of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal …

Foreign religious workers will no longer be eligible for work permits or permanent residency in South Africa, news site EWN reports quoting the country Home Affairs minister. Minister Aaron Motsoaledi was appearing in front of a parliamentary committee investigating how controversial Malawian televangelist Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, fled …

The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) is planning a food aid program targeting 700,000 people in Zimbabwe from October, Reuters reported, citing an official. The announcement comes as the effects of a poor harvest and war in Ukraine continue to show. “The Zimbabwean government is working with agencies to …

Afghan women launched a strong appeal to the United Nations on Monday for real international action to end the “gender apartheid” established in their country since the return to power of the Taliban. “Today, human rights in Afghanistan do not exist,” Mahbouba Seraj told the UN Human Rights Council in …

Rwandan government granted parole to 1,803 prisoners convicted of various offenses, including theft, armed robbery, and assault. Parole is the temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiration of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior. The release was approved by a cabinet meeting chaired by President …

Tanzania’s government has warned people against distributing online posts and short videos that promote same-sex relationships. It has also cautioned that it will take action against administrators of social media groups whose members share pro-LGBT messages. Information Minister Nape Nnauye made the remarks while addressing the media on Sunday at …

Authorities in The Gambia are investigating a paracetamol syrup’s suspected link to the deaths of dozens of children from kidney failure. “Dozens of children have died in the last three months. Autopsies suggest the possibility of paracetamol,” the Reuters news agency quoted Mustapha Bittaye, the Gambia’s director of health services, …