AFP Africa

Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims crowded the rocky rise known as Mount Arafat on Tuesday to pray at the height of an annual hajj pilgrimage held in the fierce Saudi Arabian summer.As temperatures soared to 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit), groups of white-clad worshippers recited Koranic verses on the hill, where the Prophet Mohammed …

Pilgrims ascend Mount Arafat as hajj peaks under fierce sunTue, 27 Jun 2023 16:47:47 GMT Read More »

Clad in a figure-hugging dress, Dineo gets into a fancy car driven by her sugar daddy, kissing her benefactor as her boyfriend Quinton watches miserably from a distance.The scene is from a popular series in South Africa called “Shuga” which serves up a steamy mix of teenage love, family dramas, heartbreak and treachery — with …

Popular S.African TV soap on front line of fight against HIVTue, 27 Jun 2023 14:27:46 GMT Read More »

Twenty-six Ugandans on Tuesday sued French oil giant TotalEnergies in Paris for reparations over alleged human rights violations at its massive megaprojects in the country, as climate protesters targeted its UK headquarters.Joined by five Ugandan and French aid groups, people from the affected communities say the energy firm caused “serious harm”, especially to their rights …

Ugandans sue TotalEnergies for reparations in FranceTue, 27 Jun 2023 14:04:58 GMT Read More »

For many Sudanese struggling to survive the war, a taste of the sheep Muslims traditionally sacrifice for the feast of Eid al-Adha is but a distant memory.The conflict, now in its third month, has brought death and turmoil and displaced millions in the country that was already poverty-stricken before the fighting erupted. Like many Khartoum residents, …

‘Sad Eid’: Muslim feast a distant dream in war-torn SudanTue, 27 Jun 2023 09:14:33 GMT Read More »

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio was leading the results of country’s presidential election with 60 percent of votes counted, the electoral commission said Monday, in a process disputed by the opposition.Bio had garnered 55.86 percent of ballots cast, more than the 55 percent required for victory after Saturday’s first round of voting, the commission …

Sierra Leone president leads vote count disputed by oppositionTue, 27 Jun 2023 02:23:11 GMT Read More »

What’s the longest river in the world, the Nile or the Amazon? The question has fueled a heated debate for years. Now, an expedition into the South American jungle aims to settle it for good.Using boats run on solar energy and pedal power, an international team of explorers plans to set off in April 2024 …

Which is longer, Amazon or Nile? New quest aims to settle old debateTue, 27 Jun 2023 01:17:05 GMT Read More »

Sudan’s army on Monday faced a multi-front challenge after losing Khartoum’s main police base to paramilitaries in a battle that killed at least 14 civilians, while rebels attacked troops near Ethiopia.The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fighting Sudan’s regular army since mid-April, announced late Sunday a “victory in the battle for the police HQ” of …

Battle for key police base kills at least 14 Sudan civiliansTue, 27 Jun 2023 00:04:23 GMT Read More »

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio looked on course for re-election on Monday after the electoral commission said he had a clear lead with 60 percent of the votes counted, a process which is being contested by the opposition.Bio had garnered 55.86 percent of ballots cast, more than the 55 percent required for victory after …

Sierra Leone president well ahead in vote countMon, 26 Jun 2023 20:21:41 GMT Read More »

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio looked on course for re-election on Monday after the electoral commission said he had a clear lead with 60 percent of the votes counted.Bio had garnered 55.86 percent of ballots cast, more than the 55 percent required for victory after Saturday’s first round of voting.The incumbent’s 1,067,666 votes put …

Sierra Leone president well ahead in vote countMon, 26 Jun 2023 17:33:58 GMT Read More »

Russian mercenary group Wagner has been seen for years as an armed extension of Moscow’s influence in Syria and Africa but these overseas operations have now been called into question by its leader’s failed revolt against the Kremlin.After calling off his troops’ advance toward Moscow, Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin is expected to go into exile …

Russia mutiny raises questions on Wagner overseas operationsMon, 26 Jun 2023 14:14:38 GMT Read More »