By Rédaction Africanews At least 13 people were abducted after armed men attacked Evangelical Church Winning All in Aaaaz-Kiri, a rural community in Nigeria’s central Kogi state, during Sunday morning service. Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire before taking congregants. Kogi’s information commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, said five attackers were killed, while others escaped injured. Officials describe the assailants as “bandits,” criminal gangs known for kidnappings for ransom. This is the second church attack in two weeks in Kogi. Earlier, gunmen raided a church in Ejiba, kidnapping a pastor, his wife, and several members, who are still held. Fanwo said military…
Author: Montage Africa
By Rédaction Africanews and AP The president of Sudan’s transitional sovereignty council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, arrived in Riyadh on Monday for talks with Saudi officials. Saudi Arabia is part of the so-called Quad that includes the US, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The four nations have been working to reach a peace deal in Sudan between the armed forces, led by Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Burhan’s one day visit to Riyadh was spent in talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the two leaders reviewed the situation in Sudan, its…
By Africanews Residents in the Moroccan coastal city of Safi were clearing thick mud from streets and homes on Monday after overnight flash floods killed at least 37 people and left widespread destruction in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Authorities say heavy rainfall inundated around 70 homes and businesses, swept away 10 vehicles, and sent at least 14 people to hospital. The sudden rise of floodwaters caught residents off guard, triggering scenes of panic and grief. Local resident Hamza Elhaj described the shock felt across the community as neighbors and lifelong friends were lost. “What do you want me to say? My friends are dead, my…
By Rédaction Africanews A mass shooting in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said Tuesday. The suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24, authorities have said. The older man was shot dead while his son was being treated at a hospital on Tuesday. A news conference by political and law enforcement leaders on Tuesday was the first time officials confirmed their beliefs about the suspects’ ideologies. There are 25 people still being treated in hospitals after…
In a major regulatory shift, South Africa’s telecommunications minister has directed the industry watchdog to amend its local ownership rules, potentially clearing a path for SpaceX’s Starlink and other satellite-internet providers to enter the market. The change would allow companies to meet Black economic empowerment requirements through equity-equivalent investment programs—like funding infrastructure or digital inclusion initiatives—rather than mandating a 30% direct ownership stake. This move follows reported overwhelming public support and addresses a key obstacle for Elon Musk, who has criticized the existing rules. For South Africans, especially in rural areas with limited internet access, the arrival of competitive satellite broadband…
Nigeria is launching a major initiative to transform wasted natural gas into economic and environmental gain. The government has granted licenses to 28 firms to capture flared gas, a byproduct of oil production that is currently burned off into the atmosphere. The initiative, announced by the country’s oil regulator, is expected to attract about $2 billion in investment while supporting Nigeria’s push toward a market-led net-zero strategy. By allowing firms to access flared gas, authorities aim to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 6 million metric tons annually and create more than 100,000 jobs. The licensed companies are projected to recover up to…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP Sierra Leone declared its Mpox epidemic over, after two years of a health emergency that witnessed over 5,000 cases and 60 fatalities in the country. The announcement comes almost a year since Sierra Leone declared the Mpox emergency after two cases of the virus were confirmed outside the capital Freetown. But survivors remain stigmatized by their society and unable to move on with their lives. Even after recovery, survivors of Mpox say they face widespread stigma and discrimination. Many report being rejected by their families, losing jobs, and struggling to reintegrate into their communities, largely…
By Rédaction Africanews and Agencies Some 30 people, most of them soldiers, have been jailed in Benin in connection with a failed coup attempt earlier this month, French news agency AFP is reporting. The soldiers took over state television on 7 December and announced that the government had been dissolved. But their takeover bid was thwarted by loyalists in the military, backed by airstrikes and military assistance from Nigeria and other West African allies. France also provided logistical support. The accused were jailed on Tuesday, AFP said, following a pre-trial hearing. They are charged with treason, murder and endangering state…
Kenya is systematically sending thousands of women to work abroad, primarily as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. While promoted as national service, a deep investigation reveals a system rife with exploitation, where the very politicians and officials meant to protect these women are instead profiting from them. For example, powerful figures, including allies and family members of President William Ruto, hold significant stakes in the recruitment industry. The government has fast-tracked labor exports under a deal with Saudi Arabia that minimizes wages and protections, prioritizing profitability over safety. Meanwhile, workers report brutal conditions in Saudi Arabia, including 20-hour workdays, physical abuse,…
A new ranking by The Africa Report has revealed Africa’s most compelling urban centers, with Cairo taking the top spot as the continent’s premier megacity. This list goes beyond tourism to identify cities driving economic evolution through significant investment, innovation, and strategic influence. Leading hubs like Kigali, Nairobi, and Cape Town are praised for their specialized strengths in tech, governance, and lifestyle, respectively. Major commercial engines such as Johannesburg, Lagos, and Casablanca underscore the continent’s vast scale and entrepreneurial energy. Meanwhile, administrative capitals like Rabat and emerging logistical nodes like Tangier highlight diverse pathways to growth. From historic depth to modern ports,…