Republic on the western coast of Southern Africa with Cabinda exclave
The UK has intensified visa and travel restrictions on Eritrean officials after Eritrea refused to cooperate on returns. Eritreans remain the largest group among small-boat arrivals, while ministers threaten a full visa ban if co-operation does not resume.
Prosecutors and courts are advancing cases tied to the 1994 genocide. An Ohio-based suspect faces perjury and obstruction charges in the United States, while UK and French investigations pursue other figures linked to killings of Tutsi minorities. Trials are scheduled or upcoming, with witnesses expected from Rwanda.
A global humanitarian picture shows funding shortfalls and ongoing emergencies across Mozambique and Somalia. OCHA and NGO reports highlight displacement, disease, food insecurity and the need for sustained aid amidst conflict and climate shocks. New funding gaps risk undermining relief efforts and recovery.
The latest SOFI report shows 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, a drop from 2024 but still above prepandemic levels. Africa now hosts the most hungry people in absolute terms, with 309 million, while Africa and other regions face rising food insecurity driven by conflict, climate extremes and higher costs. Nutrition indicators remain poor, with stunting, obesity and low diet diversity continuing to challenge progress.
Over the last day, users report mass removals of WhatsApp accounts under review by Meta, with explanations that activity and device info are being checked for Terms of Service compliance. The issue follows a separate outage affecting multimedia delivery, including images and stickers, with restoration ongoing.
An Ebola outbreak in Congo is spreading faster than responses can keep up. Health workers report dangerous conditions and unpaid salaries as authorities battle transmission amid mounting cases and deaths. Kinshasa remains on alert as international aid actions unfold.
Iran seeks membership in BRICS’ New Development Bank to diversify funding amid sanctions and war pressures. Tehran aims to use regional currencies for trade and to secure financing for infrastructure as it faces economic strain.
Mass sardine mortality along South Africa’s west and south coasts is the highest yet. The environment department has identified pilchard herpesvirus (PHV) as the leading explanation, while noting no risk to human health. Investigations continue as Koeberg Nuclear Power Station reports a seawater intake clog caused by dead fish.
The United States has secured a long-term deal to gain majority control over Venezuela’s oil reserves, with NABEP-backed operations set to develop 17 fields containing some 65 billion barrels. The arrangement gives the Pentagon-backed stake and rights to output, while Caracas preserves ownership of its resources. Analysts say the move signals a major shift in energy dominance and geopolitics.
The Grand Tour has a new trio of hosts: Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelsman have stepped into Clarkson, Hammond and May’s roles. The team has worked to win over fans, with Clarkson making a cameo and the newcomers stressing the show’s car-enthusiast core as they premiere on Prime Video.
OPEC+ has kept October output targets unchanged while it reviews capacity and sets 2027 baselines, amid Iran disruption and discussions on unwinding current cuts. The group plans to pause further increases in Q4 as it evaluates members' capacity and future quotas.
Independent and Reuters reports show UK food inflation remains elevated amid geopolitical disruption, drought and energy costs. Forecasts wait on official data; producers urge relief to ease rising bills for households.
Avid social videos show a man offering free hugs in Nottingham to spark conversations about mental health. The project started after a viral post on TikTok and has grown into a daily street activity with the aim of helping strangers talk openly about their struggles.
Africell has announced a loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to expand its Angola network with American and European technology. The move aligns with Washington’s effort to curb Huawei’s reach in Africa, and Africell operates in Angola, Congo, Sierra Leone and Gambia. Huawei faces a U.S. racketeering case in New York, while the Trump administration has pressed allies to limit Chinese tech in high-speed networks.
Fighting between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian government has intensified, with the TPLF and its allied groups seizing airports and moving across Afar and Amhara. The conflict risks a return to the 2020–22 civil war, prompting international concern over civilian harm and humanitarian access.
Egypt has rested Mohamed Salah for the AFCON qualifier against South Sudan due to concerns over the artificial surface in Juba. Salah started the Angola match but was substituted, with the EFA citing surface-related injury risks. South Sudan visit on 29 September at Juba Stadium.
The 2026 Multidimensional Poverty Index update finds 1.2 billion people live in multidimensional poverty, with 617 million children and 83% in rural areas affected. While several countries cut poverty, the overall count has risen due to data revisions and population growth; sub-Saharan Africa remains hardest hit.