Africa 

VAR: Referee suspended for using fan’s phone to disallow goal

Egyptian referee Mohamed Farouk has been suspended for using a spectator’s mobile phone to disallow a goal in a 2nd division match. As BBC Africa reports, Al-Nasr thought they had equalized late at second-division Suez last Friday. Video refereeing does not exist in the Egyptian second division, the referee used the telephone to review a contentious action after the protests… Read More
Africa East Africa World 

US threatens Uganda with possible sanctions over anti-gay law

The US White House has warned Uganda of possible sanctions if the newly passed anti-gay bill becomes effective. Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday passed into law the stricter anti-gay bill which outlined harsher punishment for people who engage in same-sex activities. Penalties under the new legislation include a 10-year-jail term for anyone who engages in same-sex relationships or identifies as LGBTQ. There… Read More
Africa 

Funding for African Union Somalia mission critical to security: UN political chief

Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo was speaking on Wednesday at a meeting at UN Headquarters to draw attention to the widening financing gap at the year-old operation. “Despite initial generous donor support, contributions have significantly declined, leaving the mission in a dire financial situation,” she said.  Contributing to progress  ATMIS builds on the work of a previous African Union (AU) mission, AMISOM,… Read More
Africa 

The Algerian ambassador to France “soon to return”

Algeria’s ambassador to France, recalled in early February following a falling out between the two countries over a Franco-Algerian activist, will “soon be back” in Paris, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced. , in a television interview. Despite a ban on leaving the territory in Algeria, activist Amira Bouraoui entered Tunisia on February 3, before being arrested when she tried… Read More
Africa 

Libyans prepare for holy month of Ramadan

Libyans consume vast amounts of coffee but as the fasting month of Ramadan approaches many are preparing to go without. In Libya, drinking coffee goes back centuries but when Italy occupied Libya in 1911, traditions changed.  These days young people have replaced the old beverage for Italian style espresso or macchiato. “The older generation still loves its Arabic coffee, but… Read More
Africa 

Tanzania confirms first-ever outbreak of deadly Marburg Virus Disease

Lab tests were carried out after eight people in the region developed symptoms of the “highly virulent” disease, including fever, vomiting, bleeding, and kidney failure. Five of the eight confirmed cases have died, including a health worker, and the remaining three are being treated. The agency also identified 161 contacts of those infected, who are currently being monitored. “The efforts… Read More
Africa 

Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland and the UAE announce joint commitment

Ambassadors from Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday a joint commitment to prioritize climate, peace and security during their respective terms at the Security Council. The Permanent Representative of Mozambique at the UN appealed for the Security Council to meet its responsibilities. “As we take tangible steps to address, mitigate and adapt to the… Read More
Africa 

UN conference on water makes urgent call to better water management

The first major UN conference on water in 45 years got under way on Wednesday in New York with an urgent call to manage the precious resource. In his speech, UN’s secretary-general, António Guterres, stressed the importance of water as key to development. Water is a human right — and a common development denominator to shape a better future. But… Read More