B-Empire Live
Continuous news feed — flashes, briefs and explainers, with cited sources. Times shown in Africa/Lagos, UTC+1.
Guinea-Bissau adopts constitution strengthening president’s authority
Guinea-Bissau approved a new constitution in August 2026 that significantly strengthens the president's powers, reducing those of the prime minister and government. The referendum took place under a military junta following a 2025 coup, raising questions about legitimacy. The reform aims to resolve chronic political instability by clarifying executive roles ahead of December's presidential election.
State of catastrophe declared in Santiago as floods disrupt Chilean capital
Heavy flooding in Santiago, Chile, has transformed streets into rivers, forcing evacuations and prompting President José Antonio Kast to declare a state of catastrophe in the worst-hit area of Las Condes. Emergency services rescued people trapped by mud and debris, with injuries reported and infrastructure damaged, including clinics and a university campus.
Zimbabwean tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and wife buried after fatal helicopter crash
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife were laid to rest near Harare following their deaths in a helicopter crash a week earlier. Chivayo was recognized for his entrepreneurial activities across several African countries and his philanthropic efforts, despite controversy over his close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling elite.
WFP seeks over $30 million to sustain food aid for Congolese refugees in Burundi
The World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently seeking more than $30 million to continue providing food assistance to approximately 33,000 Congolese refugees in Burundi. Without additional funding, food supplies could be depleted as early as October 2026. Despite partial funding and government support, the WFP warns that aid can only be sustained for a few more months, with refugees currently receiving about $12 per person monthly.
Uganda Allows Domestic Investors to Join Dangote Refinery IPO
Uganda's Capital Markets Authority has authorized high-net-worth and professional domestic investors to participate in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO, joining Kenya in broadening the offering beyond Nigeria. The IPO aims to raise $1.6 billion to expand Africa's largest refinery capacity.
Henri B Kagan and Kenso Soai receive Nobel Prize for breakthrough in chemical asymmetry of life
French scientist Henri B Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery explaining the molecular asymmetry of life. Their work clarifies how nature selectively produces one mirror image of molecules like amino acids, a breakthrough with significant implications for pharmaceutical development.
Super El Niño threatens to slash southern Africa’s bean harvests by up to 78%
A team of researchers led by agricultural expert Moses Chitete warns that the 2026 Super El Niño event could severely impact southern Africa's bean harvests, potentially reducing yields by up to 78%. Beans are a crucial staple and protein source in the region, but are highly sensitive to drought and heat. The anticipated extreme drought and high temperatures could devastate legume production, threatening food security and farmers' incomes. Experts urge early preparation with drought-tolerant crops, soil moisture conservation, and crop diversification to mitigate impacts.
Super El Niño to Drive Up South African Maize Prices by Early 2027
The super El Niño event peaking in late 2026 is forecast to reduce summer rainfall in southern Africa, causing drought and poor maize harvests. South African maize prices, linked to global markets and local supply, are expected to rise due to increased import needs and higher costs. Price volatility tends to increase during El Niño periods, affecting food security in the region.
Western Sahara remains divided by Morocco’s Berm and minefields
The Berm, a fortified wall built by Morocco between 1980 and 1987, separates the Moroccan-controlled part of Western Sahara from the Polisario-controlled territory. The wall, spanning 2,700 km and surrounded by over 10 million landmines, continues to shape the unresolved conflict over Western Sahara, a territory claimed by Morocco but contested by the Polisario Front backed by Algeria. The conflict has led to prolonged refugee crises and ongoing political and ecological risks.
Senegal delays school year start due to severe flooding
Senegal has postponed the start of its 2026 school year nationwide due to heavy rains and flooding that caused deaths and infrastructure damage. The education ministry emphasized safety and the need to restore schools. The delay pushes the start from October 7 to October 12 amid ongoing flood risks.
Lionel Messi bids emotional farewell to Argentina after 21 years
Lionel Messi concluded his international football career with Argentina on October 6, 2026, scoring in a friendly against Benin. The 39-year-old leaves as Argentina's most capped player and top scorer, having led the team to a 2022 World Cup victory and two Copa America titles.
Hermanus celebrates increase in southern right whale sightings this season
Southern right whales migrate from Antarctica to South Africa's Walker Bay each year, where they safely breed and attract tourists to Hermanus. This season, sightings have increased, enhancing the town's whale festival and tourism appeal.
Egypt refutes torture claims by journalists from independent platform Matsadaash
Egypt's Interior Ministry on October 6 denied accusations that six journalists from the independent fact-checking platform Matsadaash were tortured or mistreated during detention. The ministry called the claims baseless and an attempt to evade charges. Lawyers for the journalists reported abuse including beatings and forced stripping. The arrests have drawn condemnation from press freedom groups.
Morocco’s Sale Festival Celebrates Women in Film and Adds Arabic Subtitles
The 19th Sale Film Festival in Morocco continues its tradition of championing women in cinema, featuring Arabic subtitles for the first time and honoring filmmakers like Mohammed Abderrahman Tazi.
New model estimates Sudan’s 2025 war death toll could reach 100,000
Sudan's 2025 civil war death toll remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 19,000 to over 70,000 direct deaths. A new model developed by conflict researchers accounts for underreporting and suggests the toll could be as high as 100,000. Fighting intensified in Darfur and North Kordofan, with the Rapid Support Forces capturing El-Fasher in October 2025, an event marked by significant civilian casualties and alleged genocide. These figures only reflect direct violence deaths, with many more likely dying from starvation and disease due to siege tactics.
Experts urge inclusion of African data in proposed global inequality panel
The proposed International Panel on Inequality, supported by countries including South Africa and endorsed by the African Union, aims to assess global inequality scientifically. However, experts stress that its effectiveness depends on incorporating African data and realities, given the continent's unique labor markets and severe inequality. African-led initiatives like the African Inequality Review seek to fill this knowledge gap and influence global inequality research.
7 ways South Africans can push for improved municipal planning ahead of local polls
As South Africa approaches its local government elections on 5 November 2026, experts highlight the critical need for voters to focus on urban planning, specifically the Spatial Development Framework, to address persistent issues like housing shortages and service delivery failures. Citizens are encouraged to hold municipalities accountable for planning decisions that shape where and how communities live and develop.
Chess Gains Popularity in Kenyan Prisons as a Rehabilitation Tool
Chess is becoming a popular rehabilitation activity in Kenyan prisons, helping inmates like Brian Gatonye develop patience, wise decision-making, and anger management. Supported by prison officials, NGOs, and the international chess federation, the game aims to reduce recidivism by teaching inmates skills useful after release.
Russian woman’s death in Siberia raises pneumonic plague concerns
A woman employed at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia died last week from pneumonia of an unknown cause, prompting fears of pneumonic plague in Russia. Authorities have quarantined a hospital and are monitoring contacts, but experts emphasize limited transmission risk and availability of antibiotics.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Prompts EU to Halt Meat Imports from Namibia
The European Union has temporarily suspended imports of fresh meat from Namibia after the country reported its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in 60 years. This suspension affects Namibia's largest beef market, which accounts for over 80% of its beef exports, impacting thousands of jobs linked to meat exports.