South Africa extends troop deployment in Mozambique and Congo
President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa’s military will extend the deployment of its troops in conflict-hit Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo. The extension, for an unspecified amount of time, will keep 1,198 personnel of the South African National Defence Force in eastern Congo, where they are part of a U.N. peacekeeping force helping Congo […]
Germany to hike pensions nationwide by 4.57%
The more than 21 million pensioners in Germany would receive a substantial 4.57 per cent pension increase beginning on July 1, after the German Cabinet approved the adjustment on Wednesday in Berlin. With this increase, pensions are set to rise faster than inflation in the country. The pension increase would apply equally to the entire […]
UK’s Prime Minister promises to start Rwanda flights in 10-12 weeks
Rishi Sunak’s flagship Rwanda bill is finally set to become law after months of wrangling ended in a parliamentary showdown shortly before midnight. It designates Rwanda a safe country and is a key part of the government’s plans to send some asylum seekers there. The bill has been fiercely criticised by opposition parties but the […]
White House moves to close ‘gun show loophole’
The White House is to close a loophole that allows thousands of firearms to be sold at gun shows and on the internet without federal background checks. It will classify around 23,000 vendors as licensed firearms dealers, making their gun sales subject to the checks. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the regulation was a “historic […]
Jacob Zuma wins court battle, to stand in South Africa’s next election
South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma is free to run in May’s general election after an electoral court overturned a ban on his candidacy. Last month the electoral commission barred him over a contempt of court conviction. It argued the constitution prevented people from holding public office if convicted of a crime and sentenced to […]
Zimbabwe launches new gold-backed currency
Zimbabwe has introduced a new gold-backed currency called ZiG – the name stands for “Zimbabwe Gold”. It is the latest attempt to stabilise its economy. Unveiling the new notes, central bank governor John Mushayavanhu said the ZiG would be structured, and set at a market-determined exchange rate. The ZiG replaces a Zimbabwean dollar, the RTGS, […]
South Africa Speaker charged with 12 counts of corruption
South Africa’s ex-Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been charged with 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering. She made her first court appearance after handing herself over to a police station this morning. The politician is accused of soliciting bribes in return for awarding contracts during her time as defence minister. […]
Taiwan Rescue efforts continue after 800 injured in earthquake
Rescue efforts are under way in Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island’s eastern coast, killing at least nine and injuring more than 800. Some 127 people are trapped in collapsed tunnels and on mountainous roads along the rugged coastline. The epicentre was 18km (11 miles) south of Hualien city, but strong tremors […]
Bassirou Faye Sworn in as Senegal’s Youngest President
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was sworn in yesterday as Senegal’s youngest president after sweeping to a first-round victory, 10 days after being released from prison. The 44-year-old has never before held an elected office, but several African leaders attended the ceremony in the new town of Diam-nia-dio, near the capital Dakar. Taking his oath, Faye also […]
Israel accused of killing Iranian generals in Syria
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say seven officers have been killed in an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate building in Syria’s capital, Damascus. Brig-Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the elite Quds Force, and Brig-Gen Mohammad Hadi Haji-Rahimi, his deputy, were named among the dead. Iran and Syria’s governments condemned the attack, which destroyed […]
