B-Empire Live
Continuous news feed — flashes, briefs and explainers, with cited sources. Times shown in Africa/Lagos, UTC+1.
US urges Senegal to complete debt restructuring within a year under G20 framework
The United States has praised Senegal's debt restructuring request as a significant example of progress under the G20 Common Framework and aims for its completion within a year. This follows Senegal's financial crisis triggered by undisclosed public debt discovered in 2024. The IMF remains optimistic about successful debt renegotiations with creditors, highlighting improvements in the debt treatment framework.
South Africa aims to improve VAT compliance with digital invoice system
South Africa's Revenue Service proposed in August 2026 a near real-time digital VAT reporting system where businesses issue invoices in a standard digital format automatically sent to tax authorities. This aims to reduce the country's estimated VAT reporting gap of 35-41% and improve tax revenue collection, drawing on experiences from Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.
Research reveals gut bacteria’s role in antibiotic resistance among Nairobi residents
A study conducted in a densely populated informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, found that the natural gut microbial communities in healthy individuals significantly influence the presence and spread of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli. The research highlights how these background microbes can affect antibiotic resistance, suggesting new avenues to slow the displacement of beneficial bacteria by resistant strains.
South African researchers identify 70,000-year-old lion tracks with San trackers’ help
A team from Nelson Mandela University, with expert San trackers from Namibia, has identified fossilised lion tracks on South Africa's southern Cape coast, dating back about 70,000 years. These tracks provide rare evidence of Ice Age large felids in the region, which no longer hosts lions in the wild. This discovery is unique in southern Africa and contributes to understanding Pleistocene fauna along the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain.
Africa Energy Week sees $10 billion in energy deals, aims for job creation and growth
Africa Energy Week in Cape Town has generated $10 billion in energy deals, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of these investments delivering jobs and industrial growth across the continent. Key projects include asset takeovers in Angola, gas developments in Senegal and Nigeria, and the Morocco-Nigeria pipeline. Environmental protests also marked the event.
Samuel Eto’o faces new embezzlement charge over Cameroon football funds
Samuel Eto'o, former Cameroon international and current FECAFOOT president, is accused of embezzling public funds related to expenses for 2023 friendly matches against Russia and Mexico, according to the Association of Amateur Clubs of Cameroon.
Investigation targets Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar over immigration paperwork
Somali-born US Representative Ilhan Omar is under federal investigation over alleged fraud in her immigration paperwork. Authorities have seized her phone, issued grand jury subpoenas including to relatives, and searched her Washington home weeks before the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats accuse the probe of political targeting.
Mali’s fight against child begging highlights six different routes to street life
On 24 September 2026, Mali launched the operational phase of its National Strategy to combat begging, focusing on children in street situations. Research conducted from 2017 to 2025 in Bamako and regions of Ségou and Timbuktu reveals six different trajectories leading children to street life, including 'confiage' arrangements, economic survival, exploitation, and fleeing violence. Most street children maintain family ties and return home at night, a crucial distinction for protection measures. The strategy includes socio-economic alternatives, parental responsibility strengthening, and educational integration.
Eritrean forces reportedly suffer heavy losses and retreat amid Tigray conflict
Eritrean forces have reportedly suffered heavy losses and are retreating toward their border in the ongoing Tigray conflict, according to an Ethiopian pro-government militia spokesperson. Ethiopian federal forces and allies are closing in on a town near Eritrea's border, heightening fears of a regional war. Eritrea denies these claims and calls reports of Ethiopian troop movements false.
Fuel supply delays in Bali cause long queues and panic buying
Fuel supply delays on Indonesia's resort island of Bali have caused panic buying and hours-long queues, driven by tanker unloading problems and road congestion, according to Pertamina and local officials.
Pope Leo XIV Recovers Well After Lung Cancer Surgery in Rome
Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, is recovering well after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. Post-operative tests show normal progress, and he is out of bed and eating. A biopsy is pending to check if the cancer has spread.
Russian Deputy PM says diesel supply deal with US is being negotiated
Following a call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia and the US are negotiating a diesel supply deal. Russia plans to supply over 300,000 tons immediately, with further shipments in the coming months, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Navi Pillay criticizes US sanctions on International Criminal Court
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay has strongly criticized the US sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling them illegal and a dangerous precedent. She highlighted the selective application of justice and urged respect for international law, emphasizing the importance of the ICC's independence in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity.
WHO highlights community deaths amid DR Congo’s worsening Ebola outbreak over 9,000 cases
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has worsened, surpassing 9,000 confirmed cases and causing over 4,300 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 60% of these deaths occur in communities outside treatment centers, indicating many cases go undetected while patients are alive. The epidemic has spread across seven provinces, with responders struggling to contain transmission in multiple hotspots. WHO is now focusing on remote and hard-to-reach health zones to improve detection and response efforts.
Sugarcane boom in Uganda’s Busoga region fuels hunger amid male-dominated contracts
Despite a sugarcane boom in Uganda’s Busoga region, hunger remains widespread. Research shows that sugar mills contract only with men, who control land and income decisions, often neglecting family food needs. Women, responsible for feeding families, are left with limited land for food crops. Experts urge contracts to include women and ensure inheritance rights to improve food security.
One-third of food lost post-harvest in Global South, study reveals
A recent study analyzing 324 research papers found that approximately one-third of food produced for human consumption in the Global South is lost or wasted post-harvest. Losses vary by commodity, with roots and tubers experiencing up to 43% loss without interventions. Causes include poor infrastructure, climate variability, and handling practices. Mitigation measures can reduce losses significantly.
Niger condemns France’s expulsion of two Nigerien security agents as ‘act of ingratitude’
Niger condemned France's expulsion of two Nigerien security agents, describing it as a serious and unacceptable act of ingratitude. The agents were declared personae non grata by Paris over suspicions of monitoring Nigerien opposition figures. This diplomatic row comes amid deteriorating ties since Niger's 2023 coup.
Women and young politicians in Southern Africa face rising digital violence
Digital violence, including harassment and doxxing, increasingly targets women and young politicians in Southern Africa, raising the personal costs of political engagement and risking democratic participation, according to a 2026 report from The Conversation.
Curfew enforced in Mauritius following police shooting and protests
Mauritius has imposed a curfew affecting 10 regions after a police officer shot and seriously wounded a woman, triggering rare violent protests. The unrest follows ongoing demonstrations over water shortages and the rising cost of living. The officer has been arrested, and the woman is hospitalized after surgery by Indian doctors. Looting and attacks on police stations were reported before the curfew began.
DR Congo reports more than 9,000 Ebola cases and 4,000 deaths
The Democratic Republic of Congo's 17th and worst Ebola outbreak has surpassed 9,000 cases and 4,000 deaths, spreading across seven provinces since May 2026. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, faces challenges including armed conflict, limited healthcare, and community distrust. A vaccine trial is planned, but no approved vaccine exists for this strain.