B-Empire Live
Continuous news feed — flashes, briefs and explainers, with cited sources. Times shown in Africa/Lagos, UTC+1.
Mentoring programs help South African pupils adapt to university demands
A recent study on the AccessEd Scholars Programme in Gauteng, South Africa, reveals that mentorship by postgraduate students helps high school pupils develop confidence and academic skills necessary for university. The program supports learners from underserved communities by exposing them early to research, writing, and critical thinking, facilitating a smoother transition to higher education.
South African Study Exposes Welfare Issues in Captive Lion Tourism
A three-year study by researchers and animal welfare NGOs investigated 34 commercial lion petting venues in South Africa, revealing poor living conditions and welfare concerns for captive lions and other predators. The study highlights regulatory fragmentation and enforcement challenges across provinces.
Nigeria evacuates Ebola patient to Switzerland and traces 53 contacts
Nigeria has evacuated its only confirmed Ebola patient, a 42-year-old woman, to Switzerland where she holds citizenship. The Nigerian health authorities have identified 53 contacts and stepped up airport screenings to contain the virus, part of a complex outbreak affecting several African countries.
Netanyahu faces election test amid security and domestic issues in Israel
Israelis vote in their first national election since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, national security, and domestic policies dominate the campaign. Opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, challenges Netanyahu as a centrist alternative promising unity and accountability.
Algerian Parliament Greenlights Military Deployment to Niger Amid Security Concerns
Algeria's parliament has approved sending troops to Niger, marking the first foreign deployment of Algerian soldiers since 1973. The move addresses security threats near their shared border and supports cooperation on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project.
Tax administration’s proximity approach improves compliance in wealthier African areas, reduces it in poorer ones
A recent study conducted in Tanzania and other sub-Saharan African countries reveals that the presence of tax agents affects taxpayers' trust and compliance differently depending on the economic status of the region. In wealthier, economically integrated areas, tax agents' visits strengthen trust and boost tax payments. Conversely, in poorer, marginalized regions, the same presence diminishes trust and lowers tax compliance. This finding challenges the assumption that non-intrusive proximity alone can foster better tax relations across all contexts.
Uganda mandates 21-day quarantine for arrivals from Ebola-hit DR Congo
Uganda has introduced a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all returning travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is experiencing its worst Ebola outbreak. This measure aims to prevent further spread after Uganda was declared Ebola-free in August following 20 cases linked to DRC travel. The DRC outbreak has caused over 4,600 deaths since May, with no vaccine available for the current Bundibugyo strain. Neighboring Kenya and Nigeria have also reported Ebola cases recently.
Gabon lifts eight-month social media ban with new user ID rules
Gabon restored access to major social media platforms on October 24 after an eight-month ban imposed in February amid social unrest. The government now requires users to provide formal identification, ending online anonymity, and is collaborating with platforms like Meta and TikTok to enhance content moderation.
Masoud Pezeshkian Attributes Failure of Iran-US Peace Talks to Washington
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the United States for the collapse of interim peace talks aimed at ending conflict with Iran and Israel. He insists on renewed negotiations but demands the US lift sanctions and cease threats first. This comes amid warnings from US and Israeli leaders about possible military operations against Iran, raising regional tensions.
Amadiba people in South Africa map what matters to fight unwanted development
The Amadiba communities in South Africa’s Mpondoland region have developed counter-maps to document their sustainable livelihoods and cultural heritage. This initiative supports their legal and social fight against mining and oil exploration projects threatening their ancestral lands.
Study reveals how politics shapes fact-checking roles in four African countries
A recent study conducted in early 2025 examined how fact-checkers in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa perceive their roles amid differing political systems. It found that political contexts—from authoritarian to democratic—influence the scope and impact of fact-checking, with fact-checkers adapting strategies like prebunking to better inform citizens and bolster democratic resilience.
Zimbabwe plans instant payment system to promote gold-backed ZiG currency
Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank is negotiating with India's NPCI International Payments to implement a real-time payment system for the ZiG, a gold-backed currency launched in April 2024. This technology aims to make ZiG transactions faster, cheaper, and more accessible, but success depends on building public trust and maintaining institutional control.
Former Haitian president Martelly submits candidacy amid gang violence
Michel Martelly, Haiti's former president, officially registered on October 23 as a presidential candidate for the December 13 general elections, the first in over a decade. Despite sanctions against him and escalating gang violence displacing millions, Martelly runs under the Debloke coalition. The elections face uncertainty due to security challenges affecting voter registration and turnout.
New twice-yearly HIV prevention drug lenacapavir hard to access in Uganda’s Mbarara city
Mbarara, a city in western Uganda with an HIV rate twice the national average, is experiencing shortages of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection approved in the United States in 2025. While the drug shows promise in preventing new infections, funding cuts and poor health-seeking behavior hinder access. Health officials highlight risky sexual behavior and low condom use as drivers of infection in the area.
DRC launches new Tumaini Ebola vaccine trial amid escalating outbreak
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) initiated a clinical trial for the Tumaini Ebola vaccine in Bunia, Ituri Province, aiming to address the country's deadliest and fastest-growing Ebola outbreak. The trial targets Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus among contacts of confirmed cases and is led by the National Institute for Biomedical Research with WHO support. Since mid-May, over 9,000 cases have been confirmed in the DRC, with the outbreak spreading to Kenya and Nigeria.
Iran’s IRGC Navy Strikes Two ‘Unauthorised’ Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) navy struck two supertankers attempting an unauthorised route south of the Strait of Hormuz, causing explosions and fires that stopped the vessels carrying over 4.5 million barrels of crude oil. The crews abandoned ship, and Iran warned of further actions against violations amid heightened tensions in this strategic waterway.
Hungarian Leaders and EU Officials Mark 70th Anniversary of 1956 Revolution
On 23 October 2026, Hungary commemorated 70 years since the 1956 revolution against Soviet rule. Prime Minister Péter Magyar and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen led ceremonies honoring victims, including former PM Imre Nagy. The event highlights Hungary's historical fight for freedom amid current EU funding disputes tied to rule-of-law reforms.
Several feared trapped after building collapse in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district
On October 23, a multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, with several people feared trapped. Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, have been dispatched to the scene amid reports of casualties and looting. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
Hamilton vows to extend F1 career to see continent host Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton praised Formula 1's plan to return to Africa with a race in Rwanda and said it motivates him to extend his career to fulfill his dream of racing on the continent. He acknowledged human rights concerns but emphasized the importance of showcasing Africa's rich culture.
Israeli airstrike hits building in Gaza’s Nuseirat, no deaths reported
An Israeli airstrike hit a building in Gaza's Nuseirat, resulting in extensive destruction and injuries but no deaths, according to footage and reports from the scene. Residents and rescue teams are managing the aftermath amid significant damage to homes and infrastructure.