Africa

Millions suffer ‘severe’ food insecurity in Burkina, Mali, Niger: rights group

  ABIDJAN, May 6, 2024 (AFP) – The number of people suffering from “severe” food insecurity in the military-ruled Sahel nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has jumped to 7.5 million people, the US International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned on Monday. “The magnitude of severe food insecurity and related malnutrition continues to intensify in the region,” said the group that helps those facing conflict and disaster. “In the Central Sahel alone (Burkina Faso, Mali […]

Haiti jailbreak leaves 4 inmates dead, 2 at large: police

A jailbreak at a prison in northern Haiti led to a lockdown on the streets of the coastal city of Port-de-Paix, as authorities tried to recapture escapees with a pair still at large, police said Saturday. Six fugitives had been apprehended since the Friday night escape. Four others were shot dead. Gang violence beginning at the end of February — plunging impoverished and politically unstable Haiti deeper into chaos — has led to more than […]

Flood-hit Kenya and Tanzania buffeted by tropical cyclone

By Tanya WILLMER NAIROBI, May 4, 2024 (AFP) – Coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania were buffeted by heavy rains and high winds from a tropical cyclone on Saturday, adding to the chaos caused by deadly floods that have ravaged the region. More than 400 people have lost their lives across East Africa and tens of thousands have been uprooted from their homes in recent weeks as torrential rains triggered flooding and landslides that engulfed […]

UK confirms first migrants held for Rwanda deportation flights

LONDON, May 1, 2024 (AFP) – The UK government confirmed Wednesday it had detained an unspecified number of migrants in recent days for deportation to Rwanda in July under its controversial new policy. It comes a week after lawmakers ended months of parliamentary wrangling and passed a law allowing some asylum seekers to be deported by declaring Rwanda to be a safe third country. The new legislation circumvented a Supreme Court ruling last year that […]

155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, April 25, 2024 (AFP) – At least 155 people have died in Tanzania as torrential rains linked to El Nino triggered flooding and landslides, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said Thursday. Tanzania and other countries in East Africa — a region highly vulnerable to climate change — have been pounded by heavier than usual rainfall during the current rainy season, with dozens of deaths also reported in Kenya. Majaliwa said more than 51,000 […]

Taiwan hit by strong 5.5-magnitude quake

TAIPEI, April 22, 2024 (AFP) – Taiwan’s capital was shaken by a “strong” earthquake early Monday evening, AFP staff reported, with the Central Weather Administration saying it was a magnitude-5.5 tremor originating in eastern Hualien. The region was the epicentre of a magnitude-7.4 quake that hit on April 3, causing landslides around the mountainous region that blocked off roads, while buildings in the main Hualien city were badly damaged. At least 17 were killed in […]

Tanzania heavy rains, floods kill 58 so far in April: govt

DAR ES SALAAM, April 14, 2024 (AFP) – Heavy rains and flooding have killed at least 58 people, including children, in Tanzania since the beginning of April, a government spokesman said on Sunday. “From April 1 to April 14, 2024, there were 58 deaths caused by the heavy rains, which led to flooding,” Mobhare Matinyi told a press briefing, stressing that the coastal region of the East African country was one of the worst affected. […]

Thousands still fleeing Sudan conflict daily, one year on: UN

By Robin MILLARD GENEVA, April 9, 2024 (AFP) – One year since the conflict in Sudan erupted, thousands of desperate people are still fleeing the country daily “as if the emergency had started yesterday”, the UN said Tuesday. More than 8.5 million people have fled their homes since the fighting broke out, with nearly 1.8 million having escaped across the country’s borders. “A year on, the war in Sudan continues to rage, with the country […]

More than 90 killed as boat sinks off Mozambique coast

More than 90 people died when an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, local authorities said on Sunday. The converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province, officials said. “Because the boat was overcrowded and unsuited to carry passengers it ended up sinking. There are 91 people who lost their lives,” said Nampula’s secretary of state Jaime Neto. Many […]

Muhammad Ali’s ‘Thrilla in Manila’ shorts up for auction

The shorts worn by Muhammad Ali in his legendary “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match are up for grabs at Sotheby’s in New York, part of a growing sports memorabilia market eyed by auction houses. Bids — including the latest for $3.8 million — have been rolling in since late March for the Everlast-brand shorts, which are white with black stripes and are signed by Ali. The auction is open until April 12. The sale comes […]

Major challenges lie ahead for Senegal’s next president

By Adrien MAROTTE When Bassirou Diomaye Faye is sworn in on Tuesday after winning Senegal’s presidential election on a wave of change, the challenges he faces seem as tough as the expectations are high. AFP takes a look at the intentions of the anti-establishment leader. – Priority projects – Faye set out his priorities in his first public statements after his election victory: Lower the cost of living, fight corruption, and ensure national reconciliation. Despite […]

S.African president sends condolences after bus crash kills 45 Easter pilgrims

JOHANNESBURG, March 29, 2024 (AFP) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences on Friday over an Easter bus crash that only an eight-year-old girl survived out of 46 people on board. She had been admitted to hospital after Thursday’s crash but did not suffer serious injury. Police have said they are investigating a case of culpable homicide, with the driver among the dead after allegedly losing control. The accident occurred when the bus […]