politics

In a bid to accelerate the fight against tuberculosis, the World Health Organization is urging countries to expand access to new, low-cost diagnostic tools that deliver rapid, point-of-care results. The push centers on innovations such as portable tests that return findings in under an hour and tongue swab sampling to enable earlier detection—approaches designed to widen coverage, cut expenses, and reach people at highest risk. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said these advances have the potential to…

In response to ongoing global fuel shortages, the South African government is engaging in discussions with Nigeria to establish a 12-month fuel agreement. This move reflects the urgency among African nations to secure necessary supplies. Meanwhile, the National Taxi Council has issued a warning that taxi fares could increase if the escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to drive fuel prices higher within South Africa.

Hospitals across Zimbabwe were thrown into turmoil as nurses walked off the job, leaving wards understaffed and patients without care, in a push for higher wages and allowances. At Parirenyatwa hospital, operations slowed to a near standstill, with student nurses drafted into critical units to keep services running. The walkout erupted just days after a similar action at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. Nurses said their frustrations have intensified following recent fuel price hikes that have sent transport costs soaring.…

The Nigerian police have apprehended 15 individuals in connection with allegations of rape and sexual assault that emerged during the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro, Delta State. This investigative action comes in the wake of shocking footage that surfaced online, depicting women being chased, stripped, and assaulted in public spaces, igniting a wave of outrage on social media. The hashtag #StopRapingWomen swiftly gained traction, amplifying demands for accountability concerning gender-based violence. Authorities have refuted…

As climate shocks stack up, Malawi’s economy is buckling under their weight. An aggregation of official post-disaster assessments points to a steady drumbeat of losses over eight years: $335 million from the 2015 floods, $365.9 million during the 2016 drought, $220.2 million after Cyclone Idai in 2019, and $506.7 million in the wake of Cyclone Freddy in 2023. Analysts say the heavier toll comes after the storms pass, in the grind of reconstruction and recovery. Across the same period, needs have climbed past $2.04 billion,…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s parliament has approved constitutional changes that extend the terms of the president and lawmakers and push back planned elections, according to Reuters and statements by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and parliamentary Speaker Adan Mohamed Nur (Adan Madobe). Reuters reported that lawmakers voted to change the constitution and extend mandates to five years from four years, a move opponents said amounts to an unlawful term extension in a country where election timelines have repeatedly…

In a dramatic turn of events, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is under scrutiny following its recent decision to revoke Senegal's hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a mere 58 days after the tournament concluded. Leading the charge for accountability, the Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has formally requested that CAF apply uniform disciplinary measures, drawing attention to a pivotal moment in AFCON history: the contentious 1976 match between Morocco and Guinea. In that encounter,…

The Conversation Africa reached out to five academic experts from Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, and Ethiopia to explore the pressing issue: Is the recent surge in oil prices negatively impacting your nation's economy? Across the board, their responses echoed a shared sentiment...

At least 132 people have died and dozens more were injured as heavy rains continue to batter large parts of Zimbabwe, the Department of Civil Protection said in its latest report.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, President Bola Tinubu has called for increased support from the United Kingdom to strengthen efforts against terrorism in Nigeria and the wider West African region. This appeal was made during his State visit at a State Banquet held at Windsor Castle, where he emphasized the shared "history and culture" that bind Nigeria and Britain, forming a robust basis for addressing security, economic, and social challenges together. Tinubu underscored Nigeria's critical role in ensuring regional…