Côte d’Ivoire’s Elye Wahi Cleared to Enter Canada for World Cup Match
Côte d’Ivoire forward Elye Wahi has been cleared to enter Canada and will be available for Saturday’s World Cup group match against Germany after an earlier delay over his travel authorization. The 23-year-old Nice striker is linked to an ongoing French investigation into alleged spot-fixing, but the Ivorian Football Federation said the necessary approvals have now been secured and that he will continue in the tournament with the Elephants.
WHO Says 17 Health Workers Have Died in DR Congo Ebola Outbreak
The World Health Organization says 75 healthcare workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been infected with Ebola since the current outbreak began, and 17 have died. Officials say the virus was likely circulating before the outbreak was declared in May, leaving many medics exposed without knowing Ebola was present and contributing to shortages of protective equipment.
Fears Grow After Mass School Kidnapping in Southwest Nigeria
More than a month after 46 children and school staff were abducted in Nigeria’s Oyo state, families and authorities are increasingly concerned the attack could signal a spread of jihadist violence into the country’s southwest. The army says Boko Haram was behind the raid, which has triggered protests, a teachers’ strike, and growing fears about school safety in a region long considered more secure than much of northern Nigeria.
Al Qaeda Affiliate Claims Deadly Attack on Niger Airport Complex
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), al Qaeda’s affiliate in the Sahel, has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack on Niger’s airport and military airbase complex in Niamey. Niger’s government said 11 security personnel and two civilians were killed, while security forces repelled the assault, killing 22 attackers and arresting about 20 others.
Cholera Death Toll in Nigeria’s Borno State Reaches 90
At least 90 people have died, and more than 12,000 have been infected in a cholera outbreak in Nigeria’s conflict-affected Borno state, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Aid agencies are expanding treatment, surveillance, and access to clean water, while OCHA says more funding is needed despite a $4 million emergency allocation.
South Africa Opens Second Deportation Site for Malawian Migrants
South Africa has begun building a second temporary deportation center in Durban as thousands of Malawian migrants continue to gather for repatriation amid rising anti-migrant tensions. Authorities say the new site will ease overcrowding at an existing facility, where around 10,000 people have been waiting to return home and where recent delays sparked clashes with police.
Rwanda and South Africa Agree to Restore Visa Access
Rwanda and South Africa have agreed to resume visa issuance for holders of ordinary Rwandan passports within the next 12 months, marking a major step toward repairing relations strained by years of diplomatic tensions. The two countries also pledged closer cooperation on trade, investment, tourism, education, and regional security issues.
Zambia Redirects U.S.-Backed Grant Toward Critical Minerals Infrastructure
Zambia will redirect part of a $491 million U.S.-backed agricultural grant program toward infrastructure supporting the Lobito Corridor, a key transport route linking mining regions in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola’s Atlantic coast. The move reflects Zambia’s effort to strengthen both agricultural development and its role in global supply chains for copper and other critical minerals.
Kemi Seba Denied Bail Ahead of Extradition Hearing
Anti-Western activist Kemi Seba will remain in custody in South Africa until an extradition hearing next month after a Pretoria judge denied bail. Seba is wanted in Benin over allegations that he supported a plot against former President Patrice Talon and was separately arrested in South Africa for allegedly overstaying his visa.
Alison-Madueke Says Failed UK Case Damaged Her Reputation
Former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke says a 13-year UK corruption investigation that ended with her acquittal caused lasting damage to her reputation and personal life. Speaking after being cleared of bribery charges, Alison-Madueke criticized both British and Nigerian authorities and said key documents that could have supported her defense had disappeared years earlier.
