B-Empire Live
Continuous news feed — flashes, briefs and explainers, with cited sources. Times shown in Africa/Lagos, UTC+1.
South African police discover tenth female victim in Ekurhuleni killings
South African police discovered the tenth female victim in a series of mysterious killings in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, raising concerns over gender-based violence. The victim was found semi-naked near a cemetery in Tembisa township, and investigations are ongoing to determine if the killings are connected.
Gen Z protesters in Madagascar accuse military government of repression
A year after Madagascar's military seized power following protests that ousted President Andry Rajoelina, Gen Z activists who helped spark the uprising now accuse the new government of repression and broken promises. Despite initial hope, young activists have faced arrests and crackdowns under the military-led regime, which they say has failed to deliver meaningful reforms.
TPLF and allied groups deepen war against Ethiopia’s federal forces
The conflict in Ethiopia has intensified following the TPLF's declaration of a 'full blown' war against federal forces. The Tigrayan rebel group has formed a coalition with six other armed groups aiming to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. As of September 25, a new armed group has reportedly joined this alliance, escalating the nationwide conflict.
Floods trap residents in western Libya, PM Abdulhamid Dbeibah calls for urgent response
Torrential rains overnight on Friday caused severe flooding in several towns in western Libya, leading to power outages, water supply disruptions, and trapping residents in mudflows. Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah ordered an immediate mobilization of resources for rescue and restoration. No deaths have been confirmed so far.
Ethiopia’s telecoms disrupted as heavy fighting fuels fears of regional conflict
Heavy fighting between Ethiopian forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front has caused telecoms disruptions, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. The situation remains tense as the conflict continues.
UN: Sudan Conflict Drives Over 55,000 Refugees into Eastern Chad This Year
The United Nations reported that more than 55,000 Sudanese refugees have crossed into eastern Chad since January 2026 due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The influx is accelerating, with over 400 people crossing daily recently, while humanitarian aid remains critically underfunded.
Black Music Action Coalition Awards Celebrate Common and Public Enemy
At the 6th annual Black Music Action Coalition Gala, rap artists Common and Public Enemy were honored for their contributions to black community advocacy through music. Common received the Harry Belafonte Change Agent Award, while Public Enemy earned the Social Impact Award. Patti LaBelle was also recognized with the BMAC Icon Award.
US-China summit yields limited progress beyond trade truce extension
US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington on September 25, 2026, extending the fragile US-China trade truce by two months. Despite the ceremonial welcome and diplomatic gestures, the summit produced few concrete breakthroughs, with major disagreements persisting on Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and China's role in the Iran conflict.
Kerry James Marshall’s retrospective exhibition opens in Paris, celebrating black representation in art
Kerry James Marshall, a leading African-American painter known for bringing black figures into Western galleries, is celebrated in a major retrospective at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. The exhibition highlights his powerful portrayal of black subjects in everyday settings, challenging traditional European art norms.
Macklemore Announces ‘Free Palestine’ Tour with Proceeds to Palestinian Aid
US rapper Macklemore is launching a 'Free Palestine' concert series in Europe starting October 26, with all proceeds supporting Palestinian aid organizations. This follows his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour after pro-Palestinian comments. Macklemore also pledged $1 million from his tour earnings to Palestinian aid groups.
Renewed violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray region escalates into full-blown war
Tigray's rebel authorities have declared a full-scale war against the Ethiopian government amid escalating violence that has spread beyond Tigray into the Amhara and Afar regions. The Ethiopian federal army reports significant rebel casualties, highlighting the intensification of the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
Super El Niño to cause nearly 31,400 extra heat deaths in Nigeria by February 2027
A University of Chicago study projects that Nigeria will experience the highest number of additional heat-related deaths globally due to the 2026-27 super El Niño. The Sahel region, including Nigeria, Sudan, Niger, and Chad, faces severe risks from extreme heat, exacerbated by poverty and limited electricity access. Nigeria alone could see nearly 31,400 extra deaths by February 2027.
Mozambique shifts from drug transit to consumer amid trafficking routes
Mozambique, once mainly a drug transit point, is now seeing a surge in local drug addiction, with hospital admissions linked to drug use rising 38% last year. Officials report increased availability of cannabis, crack, heroin, and methamphetamine, fueled by the country's strategic position along trafficking routes. Efforts include regional cooperation and arrests of traffickers, but challenges remain due to limited resources and growing local consumption.
Dangote to fund $660m petroleum pipeline linking Ethiopia and Djibouti
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is financing a $660 million refined petroleum pipeline between Ethiopia and Djibouti. The 120km pipeline will connect Damerjog port in Djibouti to a distribution facility in Dewele, Ethiopia. This project aims to reduce logistics costs, delays, and strengthen energy security for landlocked Ethiopia, which depends heavily on Djibouti's port. Operations are expected to start within 18 months, including storage facilities at both ends. This pipeline is part of Dangote Group's broader infrastructure expansion in Africa.
Yodelling tradition finds unique echo in Graz underground car park
In Graz, Austria, yodelling singers led by Anna Maria Gutschi use an underground car park to explore unique acoustics reminiscent of Alpine echoes, adapting the traditional Alpine communication practice to an urban environment. This initiative by the Styrian Folk Song Association introduces yodelling to new audiences in unconventional venues.
Ian Berry’s Sharpeville photos revealed apartheid brutality to the world
Ian Berry, a veteran photojournalist, captured the only existing images of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa. His photos revealed the brutal apartheid police violence that killed 91 protesters, helping expose the regime's oppression worldwide.
Ethiopian President Accuses External Actors of Fueling Renewed Tigray Conflict
At the UN General Assembly, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie attributed the recent resurgence of fighting in the northern Tigray region to interference from external actors, implicitly pointing to Egypt and Eritrea. Despite these challenges, he emphasized Ethiopia's commitment to peace and development. The conflict involves federal troops and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, with opposition groups forming an alliance against the government.
Nigeria and US formalize deal to increase US mining investments
Nigeria and the United States signed a framework agreement to deepen American investment in Nigeria's $700 billion mineral resources. The deal aims to move beyond raw material exports towards local processing, quality jobs, and stronger skills development in Nigeria's mining sector. This agreement was signed during the UN General Assembly in New York and reflects US efforts to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals amid global competition.
Tigray rebels escalate conflict, seize airports in northern Ethiopia
Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has declared full-scale war against Ethiopia's federal government, seizing three airports in Tigray and launching attacks into Afar and Amhara regions. Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum. The conflict threatens the 2022 peace agreement and risks wider regional instability involving Eritrea.
Study reveals how maps fuel political conflict in Ethiopia via social media
Research into Ethiopia's 2018 political reforms reveals that maps shared on social media were used as tools of propaganda, spreading disinformation and intensifying ethnic tensions between Oromo and Amhara groups.