Thwarted Niger mutiny exposes junta's Russia dependence

The pivotal role played by Russia's Africa Corps mercenaries in putting down a mutiny in Niger has revealed just how dependent on Moscow the west African country's ruling junta has become.

By Afp 12 hrs ago

Nigeria rethinks criminalisation of suicide

Across Nigeria, suicide attempts carry a one-year prison term, though in Muslim-majority Jigawa, governed under sharia, the penalty can be as high as five years

By Afp 12 hrs ago

Japan to relax overtime regulation under workaholic PM

Japan will ease overtime regulation starting Tuesday in a move meant to help spur economic growth but criticised as a relapse into the country's ingrained workaholic culture.

By Afp 12 hrs ago

Six defining moments of Lionel Messi's Argentina career

Messi's international career began as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2005. His first cap was unforgettable for the wrong reasons

By Afp 7 hrs ago

Man City chase Fernandez, Arsenal eye Alvarez on deadline day

Manchester City hope to seal a blockbuster move for Enzo Fernandez, while Arsenal have their sights set on Julian Alvarez in the final hours before the transfer window closes.

By Afp 7 hrs ago

Norway's King Haakon VIII swears allegiance to constitution

"I promise and swear that I will govern the Kingdom of Norway in accordance with its Constitution and Laws, so help me God, the almighty and omniscient."

By Afp 1 hr ago

Germany blames Russia for airport drone incident, hits back with sanctions

We are tightening entry controls for Russian nationals" and Germany would propose the listings of more Russian individuals for European Union sanctions.

By Afp 1 hr ago

China's Xi arrives in Egypt as US sanctions threat looms over Iran links

Both China and Egypt support an independent Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.

By Afp 1 hr ago

US strikes Iran for first time in a month

The United States said Sunday it had carried out air strikes on Iranian rocket launchers on an small island in the Strait of Hormuz.

By Afp 1 day ago

'We are standing firm,' Maduro says in photo posts from detention

Venezuela's deposed leader Nicolas Maduro said on social media Sunday that he was "standing firm" with photographs that appear to show him in the detention center.

By Afp 1 day ago

US, allies' maritime drills are a 'threat' to N. Korea: KCNA

Maritime drills by South Korea, the United States and Japan in September constitute a "threat" to North Korea, Pyongyang said on Monday, branding Washington as hostile.

By Afp 1 day ago

DR Congo Ebola epidemic passes 6,000 cases

The current epidemic is being caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccine nor specific treatment exists.

By Afp 23 hrs ago

Passengers stranded overnight by Kenya airport strike

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) says it is striking over a longstanding failure of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement.

By Afp 23 hrs ago

At least five leaders skip annual Pacific Islands summit

At least five leaders will skip the Pacific Island region's annual summit, officials said Monday, hours before the opening of talks overshadowed by Taiwan-China tensions.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ivory Coast home-hunters' saga highlights Africa housing crunch

For months, Veronique and Faustin Kla have looked for a home in Abidjan, tired of juggling their finances in the hunt for a place to raise their one-year-old son, Junior.

By Afp 1 day ago

Russia's Putin and China's Xi to attend summit in Kyrgyzstan

Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Xi Jinping and more than a dozen other leaders will gather in Kyrgyzstan Monday for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ethiopia's Abiy could consolidate power as 'executive president'

Abiy, 50, has ruled the Horn of Africa country of 130 million since 2018.

By Afp 23 hrs ago

Russia says preparing 'massive strikes' on Ukraine's energy sector

Russian army claimed to have struck a plant in Kyiv producing asbestos and cement, whose warehouses.

By Afp 2 days ago

Zambia's opposition leader charged with treason

Zambia's detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, his lawyer said on Sunday, deepening concerns over the government's treatment of political dissent.

By Afp 2 days ago

Rescuers dig into tunnel as missing toll from Nepal, China flood tops 3,000

Rescuers in Nepal and China battled Sunday through leg-sucking mud and the threat of rising rivers and a newly formed lake to search for thousands missing after a deadly glacial collapse.

By Afp 2 days ago

Some migrants ready to pack bags fearing far-right win in east German state

As a far-right regional election victory looms in east German state, many migrants are readying to pack their bags, fearful of the AfD party's threatened "deportation and remigration offensive."

By Afp 2 days ago

Vietnamese coffee farmers ride China's durian wave

Vietnam's Central Highlands produces around one sixth of the world's coffee, but farmers are switching their traditional crop for durian to cash in on surging Chinese demand.

By Afp 2 days ago

At least seven die in ferry capsize off Northern Cyprus; 23 missing

A passenger ferry capsized and sank off Northern Cyprus on Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 23 missing, officials said, as a rescue operation was under way.

By Afp 2 days ago

At least 27 dead after Russian strike on warehouse near Kyiv

At least 27 killed near Ukraine capital Kyiv, Regional Governor Tymur Tkachenko says Russian drone struck a warehouse sparking fire and explosion.

By Afp 3 days ago

Uganda's 'youngest reigning' king dies

The king died while receiving treatment in the United States following weeks of speculation about his deteriorating health, local media reported.

By Afp 4 days ago

Norway's King Harald V, unifying force who weathered family storms

"I firmly believe that freedom is stronger than fear. I firmly believe in an open Norwegian democracy and society," Harald said at the time.

By Afp 4 days ago

New flood risks impede Nepal, Tibet rescue

More than 1,400 people are missing, including trekkers in the Himalayas and scores of Hindu pilgrims to Tibet's sacred snow-capped Mount Kailash.

By Afp 4 days ago

King Harald, 'symbol' of Norway, dead at 89

"It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6:35am."

By Afp 4 days ago

Iran says still open to diplomacy as war with US hits six months

"Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

By Afp 4 days ago

Dutch court jails man for life over role in Rwanda genocide

"Only a lifelong prison sentence does justice to the immense suffering that has been inflicted on the victims and the bereaved families," said the court.

By Afp 4 days ago

Tanzania must stop forced evictions of Maasai: UN watchdog

It said Maasai opposing evictions and relocations had repeatedly faced arbitrary arrests and detention, reprisals, intimidation and harassment.

By Afp 4 days ago

Zambia opposition leader held in treason probe: police

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile surrendered to police on Thursday after two weeks in hiding following a summons over an alleged national security threat, state media reported.

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump orders Lake Ontario to be renamed 'Lake America'

Trump stepped up his trolling of Canada by signing an executive order changing the name of the body of water on the border between the North American neighbors.

By Afp 4 days ago

Palace intrigue in Uganda as succession battle heats up

Museveni's son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has made no secret of his desire for the top job, announcing -- then retracting -- his intention to run multiple times over the years.

By Afp 5 days ago

Swallowed by silt: Survivors recount Nepal flood horror

Among the survivors was customs agent Omkar Joshi, who spent the previous night stranded on a hilltop in the border town of Timure before being rescued.

By Afp 5 days ago

Germany reports record 15,800 heat-related deaths this summer

Another 4,000 heat-related deaths were recorded between late July and mid-August, said the institute in its latest update.

By Afp 5 days ago

Iran president says new US sanctions will achieve nothing

America will not achieve anything with economic pressure at this stage, just as it was unable to achieve anything in the war.

By Afp 6 days ago

Iran says US sanctions will achieve nothing

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed the US had "dismantled Iran's military capabilities,

By Afp 6 days ago

US to revoke visas of up to 200,000 asylum seekers

The US government plans to revoke the visas of foreigners who came to the country for tourism or business but sought to stay longer by applying for asylum, the State Department said Tuesday.

By Afp 6 days ago

Pakistan hospital fire kills 14 infants

14 infants killed in fire in hospital maternity ward in Islamabad, Pakistan; authorities blame faulty air conditioner for the blaze.

By Afp 6 days ago