South Africa Braces for Pre-emptive Debunking of Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation

Every year since 2013, Africa Check has fact-checked South Africa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) — the speech President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers to mark the start of the political calendar, officially open Parliament, recap the year gone by and outline the government's aims for the year ahead. After more than a decade of scrutiny, the organisation's researchers say they can often guess what the president is going to say before he opens his mouth. That observation, simple on its face, raises deeper questions about…

Former ambassador Dan Mulhall urges Taoiseach to press Donald Trump on Seamus Culleton case

Former Irish ambassador to the United States Dan Mulhall has urged the Taoiseach to raise the case of Irish detainee Seamus Culleton directly with U.S. President Donald Trump on St. Patrick’s Day if Culleton has not been released by then, saying the episode underscores how “uncompromising” immigration enforcement has become. Mulhall told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland he remains hopeful Culleton will be freed sooner, but said the length of his detention is “surprising” and that the Irish embassy is “doing all it can” on his behalf.…

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show attracts 128 million viewers, ranking fourth all-time

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show draws 128.2 million U.S. viewers, ranks fourth all time Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl halftime show averaged 128.2 million viewers across television and streaming in the United States, making it the fourth most-watched halftime performance on record, according to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel system. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican star, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, delivered a 15-minute set performed almost entirely in Spanish in tribute to his heritage and culture. The audience total…

Somali President Cautions Against Israeli Armed Forces Actions

Somali President Condemns Israel's Recognition of North Western State of Somalia Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has harshly criticized Israel for recognizing North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, arguing it endangers Somalia's unity and stability. Mohamud's comments come in response to a landmark decision by Israel. Israel is the first country to formally acknowledge North Western State of Somalia's independence. Mohamud labels the move as unlawful interference in Somalia's territorial…

Turkey’s Erdogan ousts justice and interior ministers in cabinet shake-up

Erdogan replaces justice, interior ministers in surprise Cabinet reshuffle ANKARA, Turkey — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan carried out a surprise mini Cabinet reshuffle Wednesday, replacing Turkey’s justice and interior ministers as the country debates constitutional reforms and pursues a peace initiative with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, aimed at ending a decades-long conflict. The Official Gazette announced the changes late Wednesday, elevating two figures from the judiciary and provincial administration…

Pilot hailed after crash-landing malfunctioning Somali passenger plane on beach

All 55 survive after Somali passenger plane overruns runway, crash-lands on Mogadishu shoreline MOGADISHU, Somalia — An airliner carrying 55 people crash-landed on the shoreline beside Mogadishu’s international airport after overrunning the runway Tuesday, with all passengers and crew surviving, authorities and the carrier said. Starsky Aviation said a technical issue emerged shortly after the Fokker 50 turboprop departed Mogadishu for Puntland State. The crew requested an immediate return, but the aircraft failed to stop…

Russian missile strike in Ukraine kills father, three children

Russian drone strike kills three children and their father in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region, Ukrainian officials say A Russian drone strike destroyed a home in the town of Bohodukhiv, west of Kharkiv, killing three young children and their father, Ukrainian officials said. The attack came amid one of the largest overnight drone barrages in recent weeks. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 129 drones overnight, adding that air defenses shot down or neutralized 112 of them. It did not specify how many targeted the Kharkiv…

Nigeria Reclaims 100 Benin Bronzes Taken by Britain in 1897

Cambridge University to Return Benin Bronzes to Nigeria In a significant step towards restorative justice, Cambridge University plans to return approximately 100 Benin bronzes to Nigeria, following a formal request from Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in 2022. This action is part of a growing movement in the UK and Europe aimed at addressing the historical injustices related to colonial artifacts. The Benin bronzes, a collection of intricately designed metal plaques and sculptures, were…

U.S. Senator voices concern over alleged UAE arms route to Sudan’s RSF via North Western State of Somalia

Hargeisa (AX) — The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voiced sharp concern over reports that a United Arab Emirates–linked training center has been established in Ethiopia for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, with potential supply routes running through North Western State of Somalia’s Port of Berbera. In a post on X on Tuesday, Sen. Jim Risch described the RSF as “genocidal RSF thugs” and warned that alleged training and transit activity tied to the UAE would be “escalatory and further reason to…

Zimbabwe Bill Could Extend Mnangagwa’s Hold on Power Until 2030

Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved draft legislation that would reshape the presidency and could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his rule until 2030, senior officials said Tuesday. The proposals would shift the election of presidents from a direct popular vote to selection by members of parliament and lengthen presidential terms from five to seven years. Under the draft, presidents could serve a maximum of two seven‑year terms. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the government plans public consultations before…