By AFP Soaring fuel costs due to US-Israel war on Iran have pushed the Egyptian government to issue a month-long early-closing order. Small businesses are scrambling to adapt. At a roadside cafe in downtown Cairo, Abu Ali was mid domino throw when the lights snapped off under new early-closing orders enacted to curb Egypt’s soaring energy bill due to the US-Israel war on Iran. “I used to stay here until 2:00 am,” the 63-year-old told AFP, tapping his tiles as the street went dark. “Now I’m home by 11 at most, just watching the news. This is not the Cairo…
Author: Montage Africa
By Rédaction Africanews with AFP Nigerian troops have rescued 31 worshippers abducted during Easter services in Kaduna state, the military said, following an attack that left several people dead. The operation took place in Ariko, a village about 100 kilometres north of the capital, Abuja, where gunmen had stormed churches during celebrations. Soldiers engaged the attackers in a gunfight, forcing them to flee and abandon dozens of hostages. Authorities said at least five people were killed in the assault, though local church officials reported a higher toll. Caleb Bawa Ma’aji, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna, said…
Washington, USA, 03 April 2026 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Community-built shelters in Niger are enabling mothers to participate in land restoration work by providing shaded spaces for their children, protecting them from extreme heat and environmental hazards. The initiative has led to the construction of 662 shelters across six regions, safeguarding 6,465 children and allowing women to focus on earning income and supporting their families. This practical solution not only improves household livelihoods but also advances women’s economic empowerment, transforming a structural barrier into a pathway for resilience and community development. The Issue: An impossible choice In the sun-scorched landscapes…
The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to accept migrants deported from the US who are not themselves Congolese under a deal effective from this month, officials said. The Ministry of Communication said a temporary reception system had been set up, while facilities to accommodate arrivals had been selected in the capital, Kinshasa. “Logistical and technical support” will be provided by the US, the statement on Sunday said, adding that the Congolese government would bear no financial cost for the scheme. The government did not say how many deportees they would accept. The US has already sent deportees to several…
Nigeria is planning to repatriate its nationals in South Africa willing to return home voluntarily, amid growing fears that recent attacks on foreigners there could escalate. Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said 130 applicants had already registered for the exercise, adding that the number was expected to rise. She expressed President Bola Tinubu’s concern about the attacks in the southern African nation, and condemned the violence against foreign nationals and demonstrations characterised by “xenophobic rhetoric, hate speeches and incendiary anti-migrant statements”. Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner over the issue. Nigeria will formally convey its “profound concern” at a…
Two of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures have announced they have switched parties in a dramatic political realignment ahead of next year’s presidential election. Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who finished third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential race, have both joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), raising the prospect of a joint ticket to challenge President Bola Tinubu. They were previously in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), along with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the last election. While this could be seen as a fragmentation of the opposition, supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso say it…
By Dominic Wabwireh with Other agencies A South African police captain is being praised for “extraordinary bravery” after he was lowered into a crocodile‑infested river to help recover human remains during a high‑risk operation on Sunday. Captain Johan “Pottie” Potgieter was hoisted down alone into the Komati River in Mpumalanga to secure a euthanized crocodile so it could be lifted out by helicopter. Police say the maneuver allowed forensic teams to safely retrieve the remains of a suspected missing person. Body parts found inside the crocodile’s intestines have been sent for DNA analysis to confirm the victim’s identity. Police leadership…
By Rédaction Africanews with Agencies Health authorities in South Africa and Cape Verde are urging calm but heightened vigilance following a suspected hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, with officials emphasising early detection and coordinated medical response. Foster Mohale, spokesperson for South Africa’s Health Ministry, called on individuals who may have been in close contact with affected passengers to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear. “We don’t want to instill fear in people. But only for those who happen to be in close contact with these people, we say, please, anyone who experienced any of the signs and…
Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the officer who previously held the post was killed in a wave of surprise attacks. The West African country remains in a security crisis more than a week after an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels launched their nationwide raids. During the offensive, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital, Bamako. A decree read on state television on Monday said Goïta would replace Camara as defence minister. He will be assisted by army chief of staff…
By Dominic Wabwireh with AP Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te returned from a three‑day visit to Eswatini declaring on Tuesday that state‑to‑state travel is a “basic right,” using the moment to push back against Chinese efforts to block his trip and to reaffirm Taiwan’s determination to stay engaged with the world. Lai had originally planned to visit Eswatini — one of Taiwan’s 12 remaining diplomatic allies — last month, but Taipei says China pressured three countries to revoke flight permits, preventing his aircraft from transiting their airspace. Beijing did not confirm the pressure but said it was “highly appreciative” of the…