7 h. ago This African nation built its development on diamonds. Now it's crashing down

Diamonds helped transform Botswana from one of the world’s poorest nations into one of Africa’s success stories

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50 h. ago South Africa hits back at ‘punitive’ Trump move to bar it from G20 meeting in Florida

Diplomatic row worsens after US president says member state will not be invited to 2026 summitDonald Trump has said that South Africa will not be invited to G20 events in the United States when it presides over the forum next year, a measure the African nation described as “punitive”.The US president repeated widely discredited claims that South Africa is “killing white people”, extending a diplomatic row between the countries after the US boycotted the summit in Johannesburg last weekend. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago ‘An impossibility made possible’: how tiny Curaçao made World Cup history

Caribbean island team are the smallest to reach tournament after appointing wily coach and drawing on diasporaThe delay in Dick Advocaat becoming Curaçao’s head coach might have been ominous but instead was the foundation for glory. Frustrated by the national federation’s financial problems, he deferred starting until January 2024, when the issues were resolved and players paid, paving the way for a historic World Cup qualifying campaign.Curaçao will be the smallest nation – by land area and population – to play at the 2026 World Cup after their 0-0 draw in Jamaica on Wednesday. The Caribbean island has a population of 156,000, sinking the previous record holders Iceland, which has about 400,000 inhabitants. Last month Cape Verde were confirmed as surprise tournament debutants but the African nation is almost 10 times bigger by area than the former Dutch colony, indicating the level of achievement by Advocaat and his squad. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago The 'dangerous' travel destination seeing a surge in visitors

The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of this east African nation. However, its department of tourism said 10,000 tourists visited in 2024 - a 50 per cent increase on the previous year.

Politics

2 w. ago TikTok influencer publicly executed in Mali as jihadist crisis worsens

Mariam Cissé, who posted videos in support of ruling junta, received death threats before being abducted and killedA TikTok influencer has been publicly executed by suspected jihadists in Mali, underlining how state control has been eroded in the west African nation.Mariam Cissé often wore combat attire to post videos in support of the country’s military to more than 100,000 followers on TikTok. According to Yehia Tandina, the mayor of Timbuktu region, she was abducted in a market on Friday by unknown gunmen. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago TikTok influencer killed in public ‘execution’ as Mali’s jihadist crisis worsens

Mariam Cissé, who posted videos in support of ruling junta, received death threats before being abducted and killedA TikTok influencer has been shot dead in front of a crowd by suspected jihadists in Mali, underlining how state control has been eroded in the west African nation.Mariam Cissé often wore combat attire to post videos in support of the country’s military to more than 100,000 followers on TikTok. According to Yehia Tandina, the mayor of Timbuktu region, she was abducted in a market on Friday by unknown gunmen. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Furious villagers lash out over 'monstrous' 65ft tall 'mega shed' being built behind their homes

Villagers in Pilning, Gloucestershire, say a new 'stadium-sized' warehouse which has sprung up behind their properties has devalued their homes and is blighting their lives.

Politics

3 w. ago Trump issues stark warning to Nigeria threatening military action with ‘guns blazing’

DONALD Trump has threatened military action against Nigeria, accusing the West African nation of allowing the “killing of Christians” by Islamist extremists. Trump’s remarks came just one day after he added Nigeria to the U.S. list of “Countries of Particular Concern” over religious freedom. Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, the former U.S....

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