How African popes changed Christianity – and gave us Valentine’s Day
Historians say there were three popes of North African descent, the last one more than 1,500 years ago.
Africa
Dozens of African migrants killed in US strike on Yemen, Houthis say
Houthi-run media report the bodies of 68 people have been recovered from a migrant detention centre in Saada.
Landmark case finds negligence for Nigerian player’s death
A court case which found Nigeria’s leading football bodies to be negligent for the death of a player is hailed as a “landmark” by global players’ union Fifpro.
Namibian minister sacked after being accused of rape
Mac-Albert Hengari was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the woman to withdraw the case.
‘They aimed to kill’ – BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters
The BBC exposes the members of the security forces who fired on protesters at Kenya’s parliament last year.
South Africa will defend sovereignty, ANC chair says as tensions with US grow
The ANC chair’s comments come after months of US tension over race relations and land law.
News24 | Jihadists kill 14 Nigerian farmers: official
Jihadists have killed at least 14 farmers in a raid on farmlands in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, with a local official warning that the toll may rise.
End conflict to honour Pope, Vatican diplomat tells South Sudan
The Vatican’s representative to South Sudan says the Pope’s memory should be honoured by seeking peace.
Assefa sets women’s record as Sawe wins men’s race
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa surges to victory in a world record for a women’s only field in the London Marathon with Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race.
Ngetich sets 10km world record for women-only race
Agnes Ngetich sets a new 10km world record as she becomes the first woman to run the distance in under 30 minutes in a women-only race.
From prized artworks to bullet shells: how war devastated Sudan’s museums
Sudan’s national museum is among the institutions that have been looted and vandalised during the war.
UK border officers saw a couple behaving oddly with a baby – and uncovered a Nigerian mystery
The identity of a Nigerian baby brought to the UK remains unknown after an “extraordinary” court case.
News24 | Central African Republic agrees peace deals with two rebel groups
The Central African Republic’s government has signed peace deals with two of the five groups in the country’s most powerful armed rebel movement, officials said Friday.
‘My bananas were seized and destroyed’ – Malawi-Tanzania trade row escalates
Following the crackdown, some traders have resorted to selling their goods in secret, the BBC hears.
‘Fees have fallen’ in Namibia as president announces free higher education
However, it is not clear where the funding will come from, raising questions about where it is feasible.
News24 | War-hit Congo park turns to chocolate gorillas in conservation push
Threatened by armed conflict, volcanic activity and rampant deforestation, Africa’s oldest national park is turning to chocolate gorillas to raise its profile and boost conservation.
News24 | Kabila’s return to Congo fuels tensions amid truce
The Congolese government and opposing rebel movements have agreed to a ceasefire. It comes at a time when tensions have reached a boiling point following reports that former President Joseph Kabila had returned to the DRC.
Arsenal urged to put Visit Rwanda ‘financial gains’ aside
A group of Arsenal fans believe the Premier League club should not renew its sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda if it “values standards”.
Hoops and rhymes boosting Africa’s creative economy
The Basketball Africa League is is leveraging the power of entertainment to help grow the game on the continent and boost Africa’s creative economy.
Rwandan beekeeper arrested in US over genocide charges
The 65-year-old suspect is also charged with visa fraud while seeking to become a US citizen in 2013.
News24 | Zimbabwean University lecturers strike over poor pay, demand better conditions
Lecturers from the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, embarked on a strike on Thursday with a street demonstration outside the institution to demand better salaries and working conditions.