Southeast African nation navigating post-election unrest and development
Federal SNAP reform has tightened eligibility and shifted costs to states, triggering a sharp drop in participation and putting pressure on food banks. Arizona records the largest decline, with state processes becoming more burdensome and delivery times longer as programs adjust. Projections warn of continued reductions without congressional action.
Donor contributions to HIV programmes have declined, with the 2025 funding level the lowest since 2007. The US remains the largest donor but has reduced its support, while total resources for HIV response have fallen 18% across all sources. UNAIDS warns that declining funding could jeopardise gains in prevention and treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Two Ghanaian nationals have submitted a petition to the International Criminal Court alleging repeated, widespread attacks on African migrants in South Africa between 2015 and 2026 and accusing South African authorities of failing to prevent or prosecute those responsible. The ICC has confirmed receipt; South Africa says the petition does not meet the court's threshold and insists domestic law can respond.
At AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, a State Department slide displayed a geostrational map with several errors and an AI watermark. The incident has prompted scrutiny of internal processes, with the agency accepting responsibility and vowing review. Coverage notes the broader context of donor funding and program continuity for PEPFAR amid spending shifts.
Heavy monsoon downpours have caused floods and mudslides in Sri Lanka’s central hills, damaging 129 houses and prompting the evacuation of about 2,000 people. Five people are confirmed dead, with several missing, as navy and army units conduct rescues. The disaster compounds the region’s ongoing recovery from Cyclone Ditwa earlier last year.
A wave of xenophobic protests in South Africa has intensified, targeting undocumented migrants and fueling violence, looting, and displacement. Governments are coordinating repatriation, while discussions on formal migration policy and regional dialogue are accelerating ahead of local elections.
Researchers at Stanford and the Arc Institute have used generative genome models to design and synthesise bacteriophage genomes; 16 of the lab-made viruses proved viable and a cocktail of them rapidly killed E. coli strains resistant to natural phages. Experts have warned the work has raised urgent biosafety and biosecurity questions about AI-designed genomes.
Tanzania has 222,057 tonnes of seed cotton in 2025/26 and is pushing to keep more value at home by expanding spinning, weaving and garment manufacturing. The Nyamatara Industrial Zone is under development, with land compensation already paid and infrastructure underway. Government and private sector leaders say investment is needed to unlock domestic processing and create high-value jobs.
South Africa will host the SADC summit under the theme of resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, minerals transformation and regional value chains. Leaders will review regional stability, intra-regional trade, and progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with Ramaphosa set to take over as chair.
New insights into the okapi’s discovery and history show how Indigenous knowledge and African trackers shaped Western understanding of the Congo Basin’s famed mammal.
Malawi has completed the repatriation of its nationals from South Africa, bringing home 56,723 people after four months of mass return transport. Many had laboured in South Africa’s farms and industries since 2019, facing harsh conditions before returning to Malawi’s villages and towns.
August PMIs have shown UK services and manufacturing have expanded while construction has contracted sharply; Saudi business confidence has held above the 50 threshold and strengthened in industry and services; Chinas official manufacturing PMI has hovered just below 50, signaling weak but stabilising activity. Surveys point to resilient demand offset by housing weakness and higher energy costs.
Farmers across Africa and beyond are adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather. From drought- and heat-stressed crops in Europe to drought-tolerant varieties and soil-smart practices in Africa, researchers and farmers are deploying drought-tolerant seeds, smarter irrigation, and regenerative methods to protect harvests and local food supplies.
Carlos Queiroz has been re-appointed head coach of the Ghana Black Stars, returning to lead the team for the next phase of its programme. He takes charge after a period of upheaval, aiming to guide Ghana into Afcon qualification and beyond.
Mondlane has had immunity lifted and is set to stand trial on five charges related to post-election protests. Authorities say protests turned violent after the October 2024 elections; Mondlane denies wrongdoing. The Supreme Court has scheduled the trial for next month.
Venâncio Mondlane, opposition figure in Mozambique, has been notified by the court that he will stand trial on five charges linked to protests following the 2024 election. He denies the accusations; prosecutors say he contributed to unrest. Mondlane remains outside the country, awaiting a trial date.
Gloucestershire and Forestry England are surveying for a potential beaver reintroduction in the Severn Vale. Defra says beaver reintroduction could boost nature recovery, with beavers already in Greathough Brook since 2018. A licence would be required, and consultations with landowners are underway.
France star Kylian Mbappé says an AI-generated meme depicting him in militaristic poses and alongside controversial historical figures has a funny side but also serious drawbacks. He argues the comparisons can reveal a lack of political and human awareness, while noting a separate nickname incident and a past Manchester United scouting anecdote.
A head-on collision on Mozambique’s EN1 has claimed 17 lives, all passengers in a public transport vehicle, with authorities continuing investigations. The tragedy follows a rising toll from road crashes as the government calls for stricter adherence to traffic laws.
Undocumented migrants in South Africa have faced intensified pressure amid anti-immigrant protests and a looming deadline to leave. Diaspora returnees are arriving home amid job scarcity and limited social support, while authorities say they are screening returnees for needs. Protests and diplomatic tensions continue as elections approach, with communities seeking safety and stability.
Violence erupts in Soweto and Durban after a Constitutional Court ruling removes barriers to asylum applications. Refugee offices are overwhelmed as migrants and locals clash amid protests and looting; authorities pledge to expand processing capacity while stressing that asylum eligibility remains individual and not automatic.
A 40-year memorial in Mbuzini marks the Mbuzini plane crash that killed Mozambican leader Samora Machel and 34 others. Officials emphasise the right to truth as new remarks underscore unresolved doubts about the crash and its causes, with the event drawing ties between Mozambique and South Africa and reaffirming commitments to memory, peace and development.
Police say a man was assaulted by a crowd during a Durban march, leaving him dead at the scene. The incident follows months of anti-immigrant protests across South Africa, with thousands of migrants leaving the country amid violence and safety concerns.