Reuters

Somalia al-Shabab Bombing Toll Hits 35

Authorities now say that two car bombs detonated by al Shabab militants in Mahas, central Somalia, on Wednesday killed at least 35 people, including eight members of a single family, and wounded 40 more.

"Kenya Will Pay Its Debts" - Ruto

Kenya will not default on its debt and plans to ramp up tax collection in the next two years, President William Ruto said on Wednesday.

Uganda Ebola "Coming Under Control" - Africa CDC

France Backs Burkina Ambassador

France continues to back its envoy in Burkina Faso despite a request by the Burkinabe government to replace him amid growing anti-French sentiment likely fueled by Russian mercenaries, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Thursday.

Tunis: Rates MUST Rise!

Tunisia's central bank governor warned on Wednesday inflation could spiral out of control if it did not raise interest rates, a day after government criticism of a 75-basis-point increase to 8% last week.

Abuja Keeps Petrol Subsidy in 2023

Nigeria will keep its costly but popular petrol subsidy until mid-2023 and has set aside 3.36 trillion naira ($7.5 bln) to spend on it, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said on Wednesday.

Ghana Seeks Debt Relief

Ghana is poised to request debt relief via the G20 Common Framework program and has sought reassurances that the negotiations can be expedited before proceeding, sources told Reuters.

Egyptian Pound Dives

The Egyptian pound weakened to 26.49 to the dollar on Wednesday, its biggest one-day move since the central bank allowed it to fall by 14.5% on Oct. 27, according Refinitiv Data.

Mali Attack Kills Five

Unidentified assailants killed five people in an attack on a civil defence post near the Malian capital Bamako late on Monday, a security ministry statement said on Tuesday.

Even Higher Inflation in 2023 - Tunis

Tunisia's central bank governor said on Wednesday that inflation rate was expected to average 11% in 2023, up from the 8.3% in 2022.

France: Burkina Faso Requested Withdrawal of Ambassador

The French foreign ministry on Tuesday said it had received a letter from Burkina Faso authorities in December requesting the departure of Frances's ambassador from the West African nation.

Thousands Join Santos Streets Procession to Bid Pelé Farewell

Thousands of Brazilians lined the streets of Santos to bid farewell to soccer legend Pelé on Tuesday. The casket, draped in the Brazilian flag travelled on top of a white firefighters truck as several police officers on motorbikes were seen escorting the procession. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pelé, died on December 29, aged 82 after a long battle with cancer. He's the only football player in the world to have won three World Cups - in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Uptick in Cholera Cases Keep Malawi Schools Closed

Cholera cases in Malawi have risen to 17,824 since cases were first reported in March last year, according to the country's health ministry. Hence, schools in the Southern African nation's two major cities - Blantyre and Lilongwe are still closed. Pupils were meant to return to the classroom on Tuesday, January 3. David Doyle has the details.

Tesla Production Up, but Short for Wall Street

Tesla Inc. on Monday reported record production and deliveries for fourth-quarter electric vehicles, but it missed Wall Street estimates, burdened by logistics problems, slowing demand, rising interest rates and fears of recession.

Russian Rage Over Makiivka Strike Growing

Russian nationalists and some lawmakers have demanded punishment for Moscow's military commanders they accused of ignoring dangers as anger grew over the killing of dozens of Russian soldiers in one of the deadliest strikes of the Ukraine conflict.

Nigeria Pays More Without Bond Swap - Buhari

Nigeria will pay 1.8 trillion naira ($4 billion) extra interest in 2023 if parliament rejects a loan-to-bond swap request on the central bank's overdrafts to the government, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday after signing the 2023 budget into law.

Opponents of Tunisian President Claim to Be Investigation Subjects

Three prominent opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied said Monday they had received notices from prosecutors indicating that they were under investigation. Charges include one related to assaulting public security and insulting the president.

People in Rome Bid Former Pontiff Farewell

Tens of thousands of people queued into St. Peter's Basilica on Monday to pay their respects to former Pope Benedict XVI.Benedict died on New Year's eve at the age of 95 in the secluded Vatican monastery where he had lived since his resignation in 2013. The body of the late Pontiff will lie in state in the Basilica for three days before his funeral on Thursday January 5 which will be held in St. Peter's Square, in front of the basilica. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 GMT and be presided over by Pope Francis.

Mourners File Past Pelé's Coffin as 24-hour Wake Begins

The first mourners paid their respects to soccer legend Pelé in Santos, a coastal city in southern Brazil's São Paulo state Monday as a 24-hour wake began. The open-casket event is being held at Vila Belmiro stadium, the home of Santos Football Club, where Pelé began his sporting career as a teenager. As the crowds filed silently passed, Pelé's wife Marcia Aoki placed a rosary on his body.

Meta Ponders Readmitting Trump

Facebook owner Meta Inc. is preparing to announce whether it will allow former U.S. President Donald Trump back on to Facebook and Instagram, the Financial Times has reported.