BAMAKO — The Sahel region is reeling following a wave of unprecedented, coordinated attacks across Mali this weekend, which claimed the life of Defence Minister General Sadio Camara. The offensive, described by analysts as the most significant security breach in the country’s modern history, has plunged the junta-led nation into a state of acute instability.

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s acting police minister has vowed swift arrests and prosecutions following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, after Ghana formally summoned Pretoria’s envoy to demand urgent action.

LAGOS — In the complex narrative of Nigeria’s political and economic history, few figures have maintained as enduring—or as controversial—an influence as Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury. Over decades of political upheaval, transitions, and investigations, Chagoury has managed to remain at the center of the nation's most significant infrastructure and business developments.

JOHANNESBURG — South African prosecutors are requesting significant prison sentences for Chautunga Mugabe and Tobias Matonhodze in a high-profile criminal case involving serious firearms and violent conduct charges. The State’s recommended sentencing reflects a broader judicial effort to send a strong deterrent message against violent crime and the illegal misuse of firearms within the country.

An undercover investigation by BBC News has uncovered a sophisticated shadow industry in the United Kingdom, where rogue immigration advisers and legal figures are allegedly charging thousands of pounds to help migrants fabricate asylum claims by posing as gay.

A South African man has been arrested after allegedly orchestrating an unusual but elaborate fraud scheme in which he sold ordinary gravel as “authentic moon rocks,” claiming they were sourced from a secret private lunar mission.

Pretoria – A Zimbabwean national has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in South Africa after fatally striking a fellow Zimbabwean with a stone during a dispute over a missing mobile phone. Leonard Khoza (42) was convicted by the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court for the murder of Aluwisi Verengere, who died after being hit on the head during an altercation on 4 February 2023. The court also imposed an additional two-year sentence for immigration violations, with both sente

Pretoria – A court in South Africa has ordered the return of the body of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, just hours after the Zambian government announced it had taken possession of his remains. The ruling marks the latest twist in a prolonged legal and political dispute between the administration of Hakainde Hichilema and Lungu’s family over funeral arrangements, nearly 10 months after his death in South Africa. Reports indicate that Zambian authorities had earlier sec

Global – A major new study presented at ESCMID Global 2026 has found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can significantly reverse accelerated biological ageing in people living with HIV, offering new hope for improved long-term health outcomes. Researchers reported that effective ART reduced biological ageing by an average of 3.7 years, a breakthrough that could reshape how clinicians monitor HIV treatment and patient wellbeing.

Debel, Lebanon – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has sentenced two soldiers to 30 days of military detention after one of them was filmed striking a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon. The military said both soldiers, one who carried out the act and another who photographed it, will also be removed from combat duty following an internal inquiry. The individuals have not been publicly identified.

Global – The head of the world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex Berhad, has warned that prices could rise by up to 30% or more if ongoing tensions involving Iran continue to disrupt global supply chains. Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said production costs have surged sharply due to rising raw material prices and shipping disruptions linked to the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

As Zimbabwe ramps up its diplomatic engagement to secure the UNSC seat, the successful mobilization of support from key partners like Eritrea is seen as a critical component of its broader foreign policy strategy to amplify African voices on the international stage.

LIMPOPO — A fresh tragedy has struck the N1 highway near Makhado, South Africa, after a cross-border bus carrying Zimbabwean passengers plunged into a ditch on Wednesday morning. The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, reigniting urgent concerns regarding the safety of public transport along this critical, yet notoriously hazardous, commercial corridor.

Tokyo – A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake off northern Japan on Monday briefly triggered a tsunami alert and prompted authorities to warn of a heightened, though still low, risk of a potential mega-quake along the country’s northeastern coast.

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA — A community is in deep mourning today following a domestic tragedy of unimaginable proportions. In the early hours of Sunday, April 19, a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, aged between three and 11.

HARARE – Zimbabwe has emerged as the leading destination for South African maize exports, accounting for more than half of last week’s shipments as regional grain trade continues to play a critical role in food security. According to the latest trade data, South Africa exported 36,174 tonnes of maize in the past week, with Zimbabwe taking approximately 51% of the total volume. Namibia followed at 13%, with the remainder distributed across other Southern African markets.

PRETORIA – Three men, including a father-and-son duo, have appeared in court following their arrest in an intelligence-led operation targeting alleged cross-border smuggling networks facilitating illegal movement into Zimbabwe. The suspects Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi (45), Khonsou Seba Capo Chichi (18), and alleged facilitator François van der Merwe were arrested on April 13, 2026, in Brooklyn, Pretoria.

Meanwhile, Hodes continues to push for a resolution via a "hefty fine," arguing that the accused are prepared to settle immediately to secure their return to Zimbabwe. With sentencing now scheduled for April 24, 2026, the court faces the difficult task of weighing the defence’s plea for mercy against the State’s frustration regarding the missing evidence and the seriousness of the underlying charges.

JOHANNESBURG — The high-profile attempted murder trial of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and his co-accused, Tobias Matonhodze, has descended into legal friction following explosive revelations at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court this past Friday. The proceedings, already under heavy public scrutiny, hit a deadlock after a heated dispute emerged regarding an alleged out-of-court settlement and the whereabouts of the firearm reportedly used in the February shooting of security gua

DUDLEY, UK — A harrowing chapter in a childcare tragedy concluded on Friday, 17 April 2026, as a British nursery worker was sentenced to three years and four months in prison following the death of 14-month-old Noah Sibanda.