World's second-largest and second-most populous continent
Global biodiversity talks in Yerevan are halfway to the 2030 goals. Nations have pledged to protect 30% of land and sea, but current funding remains far below the target, risking the 30-by-30 objective and the 2030 deadline.
The UN General Assembly has voted 164–1 to encourage use of equal-area map projections, led by Togo and backed by the African Union. The non-binding resolution recommends the Equal Earth projection for schools, governments and tech companies. The United States cast the sole vote against; six states abstained.
Saudi authorities have said they have intercepted a Houthi-launched drone south of Mecca and have called the attempt a "red line" because it targeted Islam's holiest sites. Regional capitals and Muslim organisations have condemned the strikes on Saudi cities and infrastructure, and analysts warn the attacks will raise pressure on shipping routes and global energy supplies.
Women farmers form a large share of Africa’s agricultural workforce, but face higher risks, less land, and limited access to finance and tools. El Niño-driven droughts highlight the need for inclusive, gender-aware climate resilience and investment in irrigation and resources.
A coalition of seven armed groups has formed to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, escalating violence in northern Ethiopia. After gains in Mekelle and other fronts, flights to Mekelle have been suspended amid the current security situation as clashes widen in Afar and Amhara. The Pretoria peace framework remains challenged as parties accuse one another of violations.
Bangladesh is battling a large measles outbreak with over 1,087 deaths and nearly 187,000 suspected cases since March. Emergency vaccination campaigns have expanded to reach children 6 months to 59 months, while authorities confront immunity gaps from earlier disruptions in routine immunization.
Aleksandar Vucic has resigned the presidency and has launched a campaign to lead the Serbian Progressive Party into snap parliamentary elections on Oct. 25. A student-led movement born from a deadly 2024 Novi Sad station canopy collapse is contesting the vote. Overseas voting rules and limited polling stations abroad have sparked complaints from the opposition.
Gorilla populations around Bwindi and Mgahinga have risen, and communities are benefiting from tourism and conservation efforts. World Gorilla Day celebrations highlight these gains alongside ongoing habitat pressures and the need for sustainable community involvement.
Ground-level metals linked to respiratory harm persist in residents for months after wildfires, with new Hawaii study showing elevated arsenic, cadmium, copper and antimony in urine up to 18 months post-blaze, underscoring long-term health risks beyond immediate smoke exposure.
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court ruling and allowed the deportations of immigrants to third countries to resume, while agreeing to hear the merits of the case in December. The decision follows ongoing debates over due process and safety for deportees, with critics urging Congress to tighten protections.
Botswana has authorised the hunting of 23 elephants and other wildlife to supply meat for Independence Day celebrations, a move critics say risks conservation and public health amid concerns over fair meat distribution and foot-and-mouth disease. Authorities say proceeds support communities and conservation, while residents express unease.
Scotland has expanded its bluetongue restriction zone to cover the whole country, aiming to ease trade while vaccination remains the key defence. Authorities say movement licences will be scrapped, but farmers are urged to vaccinate for next season amid rising cases linked to climate-driven spread. The latest season has seen cases across stretching areas, with vaccines in high demand.
Egypt hosts the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, attracting more than 20 heads of state and major investors to discuss Africa’s private sector role, intra‑African trade, regional partnerships and infrastructure. Officials say the forum aims to mobilise capital and boost cross‑border links, with Egypt seeking broader Africa engagement amid disputes over GERD.
A laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti‑Plague Institute has died after hospitalisation with severe pneumonia; regional officials have placed the hospital under quarantine and put nearly 200 contacts under medical observation. Authorities and Russia's consumer watchdog have said tests are negative so far; local leaders have cancelled public events.
An ATR-42 military aircraft on a Benin–Lagos routine flight has crashed near Igbokoda, Ondo State. Authorities have activated search-and-rescue operations and declared three days of national mourning. Initial reports indicate 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board; casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed seven nations have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics: Qatar, India (Ahmedabad), South Africa, Germany (Munich), Hungary, Turkiye (Istanbul) and South Korea. The IOC has set an Oct. 31 deadline for other entries, will assess feasibility by March 2027 and expects a final host vote in 2029.
Ukraine’s grain shipments face mounting obstacles as port and shipping disruptions persist; farmers report unsold stocks and collapsing domestic prices, while lenders note liquidity pressure. EU considerations on market access for Kyiv intensify the debate over how to move trade and sustain next-season planting.
The United States and Zambia have reached a five-year health package totaling about $3.6 billion, with the U.S. providing roughly $1.5 billion and Zambia contributing around $2.1 billion. Data-sharing terms have been narrowed to information necessary to monitor and evaluate programs, and clauses on sharing patient specimens have been removed. Zimbabwe and Ghana have rejected similar terms.
Human Rights Watch says US deportations to African countries violate international law by removing third-country nationals to destinations with little or no ties. The program has expanded under Trump’s return to power, with over 500 people affected and at least 12 LGBTQ individuals sent to hostile states. Critics warn of non-refoulement breaches and opaque deals.
Recent biodiversity reports show significant drops in animal populations across Africa and Europe, with farmers’ lands hit hardest and some species showing hopeful recoveries where targeted conservation has been implemented. The data underscore the urgent need for policy shifts and sustainable farming practices to avert a global collapse.
Formula 1 has signed a 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host an African Grand Prix on a new, purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 40km south of Kigali, with the first race expected in the early 2030s. The project has been presented as a long-term development linking sport, tourism and technical training, and faces criticism over sportswashing and human rights.
The General Assembly has allocated 47 seats on the UN Human Rights Council to regional groups, with all regions submitting the same number of candidates for a three‑year term. Contested races have been avoided for a second year, drawing criticism from rights groups about genuine accountability.
Mauritius has shortened its overnight curfew to 10 p.m.–4:30 a.m. after days of protests over water shortages and the cost of living that escalated when a police officer shot and wounded a 27‑year‑old woman. Authorities have arrested the officer, detained dozens of people and closed schools and public transport as they increase deployments and checkpoints.
Human Rights Watch reports a pattern of grave laws-of-war violations by Malian forces, allied Africa Corps and armed groups. Drones have killed civilians; soldiers and militias have executed captives and tortured detainees across central and northern Mali. The AU is urged to act.
The Congo Ebola response has seen $962 million in donor funds disbursed since the outbreak began, but only about $200 million is accounted for on the ground. Authorities say operations have been restricted, with accreditation limited to 25 of nearly 100 organizations, and an investigation into missing funds is underway.