Author: BBC

Gabon’s interim president who seized power in a coup a year ago has barred members of his transitional government from holidaying abroad. Gen Oligui Nguema has also limited government officials to a maximum of one week of holiday leave. These new restrictions were announced on state television, after he toured the country to listen to […]

A French court has seized three jets owned by the Nigerian government amid a long-standing dispute with a Chinese company. The row stems from a 2007 contract between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment and Nigeria’s south-western Ogun State to develop a free-trade zone where a massive industrial park was to be developed to attract investors. The […]

Three Zimbabwean activists who were arrested in dramatic fashion after being forced off an aeroplane last month have been denied bail, on the eve of a high-profile international summit in the country. Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza and Samuel Gwenzi have been charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly protesting outside a court in June about the […]

When Roberto Macri built his luxury hotel in the Kenyan coastal village of Kipini, it was about 100m (330ft) away from the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean. For nearly two decades his business thrived as tourists arrived in droves to enjoy the pristine beach and sunny weather. The Tana Lodge Hotel, which was built […]

UN chief António Guterres has called for Africa to be given a permanent seat at the UN Security Council as part of reforms to correct historical injustices. The Security Council – the five permanent members of which are China, France, Russia, the UK and the US – has long been criticised for representing the realities […]

“Normally when there are 30 shots in the game, it is the United States with about 25 of ’em. Not today!” It wasn’t just the ESPN commentator who was shocked. Heather O’Reilly had scored the game’s final goal, dragging world number ones and two-time champions United States to a 2-2 draw in their opening match […]

A murder investigation has been opened into Bangladesh’s ex-premier Sheikh Hasina over the police killing of a man during civil unrest. Six other top figures in the previous government are also being investigated following weeks of deadly unrest in the capital Dhaka. Mamun Mia, a lawyer who brought the case on behalf of a private […]

Senior leaders of Tanzania’s main opposition Chadema party – including its chairman Freeman Mbowe and his deputy Tundu Lissu – have been released on bail, after they were detained ahead of a youth rally. About 520 people were arrested in a nationwide crackdown to prevent Chadema from holding a parade through the south-western town of […]

Iran has dismissed calls from the UK and other Western countries to refrain from retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. Amid a flurry of international diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to “stand down its ongoing threats of […]

The family of the late soul singer Isaac Hayes has ordered Donald Trump to stop playing the star’s song Hold On, I’m Coming at his campaign rallies. A letter sent to Trump and his team, and shared by Hayes’ son on social media, threatens to sue the former US President if he does not comply […]