Polls are under way in Belarus for a presidential election, with longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko expected to extend his more than three decades in power in the absence of any real opposition. Voters began casting their ballots at 8am local time (05:00 GMT) on Sunday in the country’s first presidential vote since Lukashenko crushed mass protests against…
Here is the situation on Sunday, January 26: Fighting Ukrainian forces downed 50 of 72 drones launched by Russia overnight. It said nine drones were “lost”, in reference to Ukraine’s use of electronic warfare to redirect Russian drones, while one is still in Ukrainian airspace. Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems destroyed…
The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have engaged in fighting near al-Jili oil refinery, north of the capital Khartoum. The Sudanese army said it reached the vicinity of the strategically important refinery on Wednesday, following a multipronged offensive north of Khartoum, with reports of direct clashes with the RSF. Witnesses reported plumes…
Limbe, Cameroon & Eket, Nigeria — It’s just before 3pm on a weekday and 17-year-old Paul Ngwa* is returning home from his job at a phone and watch repair workshop in Limbe, a coastal town in the southwest region of Cameroon. Tired and sweaty, he gets ready to head out to his second job as a…
. The military governor of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has died from injuries sustained during fighting on the front line, local authorities say, as M23 rebel fighters close in on the provincial capital, Goma. The circumstances around the death of Major General Peter Cirimwami were unclear, but Cirimwami, who led army…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is severing diplomatic ties with Rwanda and the United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting as the fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group intensifies. The three-year-old M23 rebellion in DRC’s mineral-rich east has intensified this month, with the rebels seizing control of more…
Nigerian Singer Bloody Civilian Comes Out as Lesbian In a bold and groundbreaking revelation, Nigerian singer-songwriter Bloody Civilian has come out as a lesbian, sparking widespread reactions across the entertainment industry and beyond. The artist, known for her unapologetic lyrics and fearless personality, made the announcement on her social media platforms, declaring, “I’m actually a…
In a dramatic turn of events, Nigerian music star Naira Marley has taken legal action against fellow artist Hotkid, accusing him of copyright infringement. According to reports, the lawsuit, filed at the Lagos State High Court, demands ₦500 million in damages from Hotkid for allegedly using parts of Naira Marley’s intellectual property without proper…
He rescinded guidance limiting where immigration raids can take place, cancelled asylum claims at the southern border and grounded refugees already approved for entry into the US, as part of a wider suspension of the US refugee programme. Though widespread arrests have yet to materialise, immigration rights advocates on Friday said Trump has already caused…
Hegseth’s nomination had been rocked by allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct. Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as the United States defence secretary, with Vice President JD Vance casting the vote to break a 50-50 tie, underscoring the controversy over his nomination which has been rocked by allegations of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct. Friday’s…
