International stories with Namibia and SADC relevance.
Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago-born US citizen and the first American to hold the papacy, has submitted a mail-in ballot for the US midterm elections in Illinois, becoming the first pope ever to vote in a US election. The Holy See said the pontiff exercised his right and duty as a citizen to participate in democratic processes.
11 hours ago · Capital News →
Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago-born US citizen and the first American to hold the papacy, has submitted a mail-in ballot for the US midterm elections in Illinois, becoming the first pope ever to vote in a US election. The Holy See said the pontiff exercised his right and duty as a citizen to participate in democratic processes.
11 hours ago · Capital News →
Kimani Bracey, 49, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison for operating online marketplaces that sold fraudulent documents used to defraud banks and government agencies of COVID-19 relief funds. He was ordered to pay restitution of Ksh.50 million and given three years of supervised release.
14 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
During bilateral talks in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced 70 additional scholarships for Kenyan students pursuing higher education in Russia. The two leaders also discussed strengthening trade, investment, and economic cooperation, and signed five memorandums of understanding across key sectors.
15 hours ago · Capital News →
A Kenyan High Court judge has ordered the Inspector General of Police and other police authorities to produce Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya before the court on November 2, 2026, either alive or dead, following questions about his arrest and detention. The court has also ordered police to produce the original detention warrant and show cause why Mwaipaya should not be released.
16 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
The US Embassy has commended Kenyan investigative agencies, prosecutors and financial regulators for seizing more than USD750,000 in cryptocurrency linked to a multimillion-dollar student financial aid fraud scheme in the United States. The joint operation highlights cooperation between Kenyan and American law enforcement in disrupting an international fraud network.
17 hours ago · Capital News →
At least 14 people, including children and pregnant women, were killed in several drone strikes on a camp for displaced people in Ethiopia's Amhara region on Thursday, about 250 miles northeast of Addis Ababa, according to witnesses.
18 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
China's foreign ministry dismissed as "groundless speculation" US intelligence reports that a Chinese executive linked to Singapore-based Megaspeed acted as a spy funnelling information to Beijing, with the firm under scrutiny for steering advanced Nvidia AI chips to China.
18 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
The UN Refugee Agency reports that 50,000 people have fled Ethiopia into Kenya's Moyale region since October 22 due to ongoing conflict, with the majority women and children. The agency says food is the most urgent need among those sheltering with host communities or in temporary locations like schools and churches.
19 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
The African Union has urged the continent to develop native artificial intelligence capabilities, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, warning that Africa must help shape global technology rules rather than remain a consumer of the digital revolution. AU Commissioner Lerato D. Mataboge made the call at a ministerial session in Gabon, stating that Africa is at a defining moment in digital transformation.
20 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
The US Department of Justice announced criminal charges against five individuals and recovery of more than $750,000 in cryptocurrency connected to a student aid fraud scheme involving Kenyan nationals. Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald warned that investigators would pursue suspects in Nairobi and other locations, stating geographical boundaries would not shield those accused of stealing federal education funding.
20 hours ago · Capital News →
Francis Mogambi has been indicted in Nebraska on five counts of theft of government money and five counts of aggravated identity theft for allegedly stealing identities of American citizens to fraudulently obtain federal student financial aid. Prosecutors say he worked with accomplices in Kenya, keeping 30 per cent of proceeds and transferring the rest to co-conspirators in Kenya.
21 hours ago · Capital News →
Kenyan analyst Raphael Obonyo argues that African countries should demand greater participation in production, processing, and trade in partnerships with Russia, moving away from exporting raw materials and importing finished goods at higher costs. He identifies agriculture, energy, transport, and infrastructure as critical sectors for deepened investment and cooperation, and calls for technology transfer and skills development to strengthen African productive capacity.
23 hours ago · Capital News →
Francis Mugambi, a Kenyan who arrived in the US via the Diversity Visa lottery, has been indicted on five counts of theft of government money and aggravated identity theft for allegedly running a scheme between November 2025 and May 2026 in which he enrolled ghost students in US colleges using stolen identities and fraudulently obtained federal student financial aid.
30 October 2026 · The Standard →
A Federation of African Journalists survey of 1,586 journalists across 45 countries reveals that 61 per cent earn incomes unable to meet basic living needs, 58 per cent report delayed salaries, and 65 per cent face threats to their safety, with poor pay, job insecurity and censorship undermining journalists' ability to report freely.
30 October 2026 · The Standard →
Africa is seeking greater control over how artificial intelligence technologies are developed, tested and regulated, citing concerns over dependence on foreign expertise. An AI Safety and Standards Centre of Excellence was launched in Eswatini on October 27 through a partnership between AICE Africa and the Eswatini Standards Authority, with plans to train professionals and develop testing facilities to evaluate AI technologies against African realities.
30 October 2026 · The Standard →
Eswatini has launched an Artificial Intelligence Safety and Standards Centre of Excellence through a partnership between the Eswatini Standards Authority and AICE Africa to strengthen Africa's capacity to develop, assess and regulate AI systems. The centre will focus on AI governance, technical skills development, research and testing to promote responsible adoption of the technology.
30 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
US authorities seized over $750,000 in cryptocurrency tied to a transnational student financial aid fraud scheme involving Kenyan nationals, who allegedly created fraudulent applications using stolen American identities to obtain federal student aid. The Justice Department estimates the wider fraud at more than $200 million and has identified over $32 million in confirmed losses.
29 October 2026 · Capital News →
Escalating conflict in Moyale has prompted Marsabit County to raise security and health concerns as refugee influx grows, with Governor Ali Mohamud Mohamed appealing for humanitarian assistance. The violence has disrupted cross-border trade, stranded trucks, and raised fears that fighting may spill into Kenyan territory.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An Argentine court in Rosario sentenced Sergio Di Vanni, 45, to seven and a half years in prison on Wednesday for ordering intimidation against Angel Di Maria's family in 2024 to prevent the World Cup winner from returning to play for Rosario Central.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto, speaking at the Africa-Russia Summit in Moscow, called for greater cooperation with Russia in education, agriculture, trade and other sectors, and urged Russian investors to establish stronger partnerships with Kenya. Ruto cited Russia's expertise in energy, mining, fertiliser production, engineering, transport and manufacturing as aligned with Kenya's industrialisation priorities.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix discussed strengthening Kenya-UN defence cooperation, with focus on AUSSOM support and regional stability. Lacroix commended Kenya's contribution to UN peacekeeping and the professionalism of KDF personnel in complex operational environments.
29 October 2026 · Capital News →
Tanzania is moving document-heavy public functions—procurement, financial management, recruitment, Parliament, business registration, and local revenue collection—toward digital systems. The e-Government Authority is framing this progress as building an integrated digital government that enables systems to exchange verified information rather than accumulating standalone ICT projects.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto addressed the third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, urging Russia to invest in African industries, technology transfer, and skills development. Ruto said Africa must move away from exporting raw materials and importing finished products, and instead establish manufacturing capacity, innovate, and create jobs through partnerships.
29 October 2026 · Capital News →
Marry Mubaiwa, former wife of Zimbabwe's vice-president Gen Constantino Chiwenga, has been released from remand after seven years on trial for his attempted murder. A magistrate ruled for her release after the state requested a trial postponement, citing that Mubaiwa had suffered mental, physical and financial prejudice during the proceedings.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Spain has begun three days of mourning following a train disaster in which at least 68 people were killed and dozens injured when a train travelling from Madrid to Seville struck a stationary train on Wednesday morning. The stationary train, operated by Iryo, had stopped because of a computer failure; authorities are investigating the cause of the collision.
29 October 2026 · Capital News →
The United States has sanctioned Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, accusing them of providing military assistance, financial services and logistical support to the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action was intended to hold Rwanda accountable for commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Democratic Republic of Congo's president has accused his predecessor Joseph Kabila, who joined the Rwanda-backed M23 movement, of being a Rwandan pawn. Kabila this month took direct control of an insurgency in the DRC's east through a new group called the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Stanley Robert Kungu Muthee, a Kenyan employed by Washington State's Department of Children, Youth, and Families, on allegations that he overstayed his visa and remained in the United States unlawfully. Muthee entered the country on a B-2 tourist visa on February 6, 2019, and did not leave when required.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
El Salvador sent more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti to support a UN-backed mission to rescue four Salvadoran soldiers who disappeared on October 18 after an ambush while returning to base near Port-au-Prince. President Nayib Bukele spoke with Haiti's Prime Minister about the large-scale operation, which is supported by various countries and international organizations.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Spain has entered three days of mourning following a high-speed rail collision in Castila-La Mancha on Wednesday that killed 68 people and injured scores. The Renfe train collided with a stationary Iryo train; the transport minister cited an "error" and "inexplicable circumstances" as factors in what is one of Europe's deadliest train disasters this century.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
North Korea fired an unidentified projectile off its east coast on Thursday, according to Seoul's defence ministry, with Japan confirming the launch appeared to be a ballistic missile. The launch occurs amid tensions over a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone that wounded three South Korean soldiers and a joint Seoul-UN investigation concluding North Korea planted the mines.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh is vying for the UN Secretary-General role following António Guterres's tenure ending December 31, 2026, pledging to rebuild trust amid global conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
29 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A year after Tanzania's October 29 election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan won with 98 percent of the vote after opposition figures were barred, many remain traumatised by violence that security forces used to suppress protests. A government-appointed commission put the death toll at 518, though rights groups and the opposition say thousands were killed.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Emergency services in Nigeria reported that the death toll from a criminal gang attack on Binnari in Taraba state last Friday has risen to 62, though police gave a lower figure of 52. The violence displaced 5,187 residents and affected 7,123 persons overall, according to NEMA.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
The extradition hearing for Robert James Purkiss, a British soldier accused of murdering 21-year-old Kenyan Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, has been postponed from November 16 to May 24, 2027. The victim's family expressed anger over the delay, saying they will have waited 15 years for the hearing and warning the full trial could take over two decades.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
A Tanzanian opposition activist was abducted from Kenya's Machakos county this week while another narrowly escaped, highlighting growing risks for dissidents taking refuge in Kenya. Kenya has long offered safe haven to dissidents from across east Africa, but its status as a secure refuge is eroding amid reports of violent kidnappings linked to political opposition.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Jurists from the Global South are pushing for greater influence over international financial rules on debt, trade and resource governance at an ICJ Kenya conference in Kuala Lumpur, linking economic inequality to human rights and accountability. The discussions examine inequalities in global justice systems and the unequal application of international accountability mechanisms.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
A year after President Samia Suluhu Hassan won October's election with 98 percent of the vote following opposition exclusion, many Tanzanians remain traumatised by security force brutality against protesters. Rights groups and opposition say thousands died, though a government-appointed commission put the death toll at 518, while critics face ongoing threats of abduction, arbitrary arrest, and treason charges.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
A Russian drone struck a platform at Dnipro railway station in central Ukraine where a civilian train was parked, killing at least 13 people and wounding at least five more, according to regional and city officials.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc has pressured Israeli Arab leaders over unproven accusations of foreign funding as neither Netanyahu nor the opposition secured a majority in parliament. Arab parties gained substantially in the election, but the opposition leader has declined to work with them after Netanyahu's warnings to his right-wing base.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Spain declared three days of mourning after a collision at Urda station in Toledo province killed 69 people and injured scores. Transport minister reported an "error" and "inexplicable circumstances" led to the crash when a Renfe service ploughed into a stationary Iryo train; Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged to establish the cause and strengthen safety measures.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has condemned the alleged abduction of Tanzanian political activist Twaha Salim Mwaipaya in Machakos County on October 25, saying his disappearance raises concerns about the safety of dissidents and refugees in Kenya. The commission cited this as part of a pattern of enforced disappearances and unlawful cross-border transfers involving individuals residing in or seeking refuge in Kenya.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto told the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow that Africa must stop exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, calling instead for investment in manufacturing, agricultural production, energy infrastructure and skills development. He cited Kenya's trade imbalance with Russia — bilateral trade of $380 million in 2025, with Kenyan exports of $52 million against imports of $330 million — and said Africa captures only a fraction of the value from its natural resources because processing and manufacturing happen outside the continent.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Saudi Arabia initially positioned itself as a neutral mediator in Sudan's conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, but reports indicate it gradually sided with the Sudanese army and became a major financier. The Standard notes this shift mirrors a broader pattern of Saudi backing for parties in Red Sea regional conflicts including Yemen, Ethiopia-Tigray, and Eritrea-Ethiopia disputes.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
China's Communist Party Central Committee adopted new measures to tighten internal discipline, including reducing corruption among cadres, in a move analysts say is aimed at strengthening President Xi Jinping's authority ahead of next year's party congress.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Iran's armed forces said four tankers have caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Revolutionary Guards citing three incidents in the past 24 hours and the army reporting a fourth east of the strait. The reported incidents contradict US military claims that key routes through the waterway have been cleared of mines.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Humanitarian agencies are appealing for approximately Sh1.16 billion to provide emergency assistance to at least 50,000 people who have crossed into Kenya from Ethiopia since October 22, fleeing ongoing clashes on the Ethiopian side of the border near Moyale.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Amnesty International has called on Kenyan authorities to locate and release Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, who was reportedly abducted in Machakos County on October 25, and to investigate his disappearance while warning against his possible forcible transfer. The organisation warned that Kenya risks becoming a hunting ground for people fleeing political persecution in the region, citing a disturbing pattern of transnational repression targeting foreign dissidents and human rights defenders.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday on the line connecting Madrid to the southern Andalusia region, killing at least 30 people. It was the second deadly accident in less than a year on the line, according to regional authorities.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother whose body was found in a septic tank near a British army training camp in Kenya in 2012, has expressed outrage after the extradition hearing for Robert James Purkiss, the ex-British soldier accused of her murder, was postponed from next month to May 2027. The family said they learned of the delay through the UK embassy with no official explanation and accused authorities of failing to keep them informed.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
Marry Mubaiwa, former wife of Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, has been freed from remand after seven years on trial for his alleged attempted murder. A magistrate ordered her release citing mental, physical and financial prejudice during the protracted trial, after the state requested a postponement to engage witnesses.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
Human rights group Vocal Africa has filed a habeas corpus application in Kenya's High Court seeking the production of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya, who was allegedly abducted on October 25 in Kamulu, Nairobi. The organisation is calling for security agencies to produce Mwaipaya in court within 24 hours, as his whereabouts and condition remain unknown despite a missing person report having been filed.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
Two Kenyan cabin crew members, David Kimotho and John Muchina, have been awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II by the UAE for their actions during a mid-air security incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 in September, when the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
Human rights organisation Vocal Africa has filed an urgent habeas corpus application at Kenya's High Court seeking the immediate production of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya, who was allegedly abducted by armed men in Kamulu, Nairobi, on October 25, 2026. The organisation is asking the court to compel security agencies to produce Mwaipaya within 24 hours and disclose the circumstances surrounding his alleged detention.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Russia hosted almost two dozen African leaders at the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow in late October, seeking to strengthen ties with countries it views as "natural allies" against the West while providing security assistance to several African governments.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The French parliament's upper house passed a bill that would make protesters financially liable for damage caused during street demonstrations. Critics warn the bill could curb the right to protest.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto has arrived in Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, seeking to strengthen Kenya's cooperation with Russia in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and technology.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for immediate humanitarian intervention in Moyale, where approximately 40,000 people have fled unrest in Ethiopia. The influx is straining food, water, shelter, sanitation and healthcare services, with over 15,000 accommodated in temporary shelters and over 20,000 staying with relatives and friends.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot each vowed to form a government after Tuesday's election, with exit polls showing both blocs neck and neck and neither achieving a majority in parliament. It was the first election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and voters turned out in the highest numbers in decades.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Israelis voted on Tuesday with the highest turnout in decades, with exit polls showing Netanyahu's camp and the opposition bloc each holding around 51 seats in the 120-member Knesset, well below the 61 needed to govern. Israeli Arab lists made strong gains, with exit polls showing them winning 17 or 18 seats between them.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Arab politicians of trying to steal the election, citing arrests of senior Raam party officials with cash, while the party denied the allegations as a lie designed to boost right-wing turnout.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France's deputy chief of mission in Tehran was subjected to intimidation by individuals claiming to belong to Iranian security forces in early October, the second such incident in less than four months. In response, Iran's ambassador to France was summoned by the French foreign ministry, which reminded Iranian authorities to guarantee the security of French personnel and premises.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya disappeared on October 25 in Machakos County, with Kenyan authorities offering no response. The abduction is described as the latest in a pattern undermining Kenya's image as a regional sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Fighting in Somalia's South West State is straining relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu, with potential consequences for regional security, diplomacy and trade. Mogadishu officials accuse Kenya of harbouring Somali terrorists allegedly plotting to destabilise Somalia while taking refuge in Nairobi hotels under State protection.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Amnesty International has called on African leaders at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow to demand Russia end recruitment of Africans to fight in Ukraine, citing UN evidence of trafficking from 29 countries through deception and coercion. Kenya has 354 nationals connected to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including 84 killed or missing, according to Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Ethiopian online influencers, including activist Jawar Mohammed, are pushing for their government to invade Eritrea and secure access to the Red Sea following recent military advances against rebel and Eritrean forces in Tigray. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has previously stated that securing a Red Sea base is a vital national objective for Ethiopia, which lost its coastline when Eritrea gained independence in 1993.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Cyclone Arnab hit India's southeastern coast with winds of 125–135 kilometres per hour, killing at least three people and damaging 31 homes. Around 50,000 people in Andhra Pradesh and 48,000 in Odisha were evacuated to safer areas as the storm weakened throughout Wednesday afternoon.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Serbian police killed a minor attacker outside the Israeli embassy in Belgrade after the person attacked an officer with two knives while shouting "Allahu Akbar". Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the attacker was known to be a supporter of the Islamic State, and security services have raised the terrorism threat level to its highest.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro left Brazil after losing the election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and traveled to Argentina before boarding a private flight to Ecuador, despite a Brazilian court order banning his exit. Bolsonaro is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering and faces loss of parliamentary immunity following his election loss.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
A plane that Argentine authorities say carries defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro made a brief stop in Ecuador on Wednesday before departing to an unknown destination. Bolsonaro, who lost Brazil's runoff election to incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday, left Argentina for Ecuador despite a court order banning his exit.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Rights organisations led by Vocal Africa have filed an urgent High Court application seeking to establish the whereabouts of Tanzanian opposition member Twaha Mwayapaya, who was allegedly abducted in Nairobi's Kamulu area on October 25. The case adds to growing concerns over alleged abductions in Kenya.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Chinese state television suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches and advertisements involving Kylian Mbappe after a viral video showed the Real Madrid star making remarks about Mao Zedong. China Media Group said apologies from La Liga, Mbappe and Real Madrid are an absolute prerequisite for resuming broadcasts.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The European Union is pressing for wealthy emerging economies like Gulf states and China to join a donor list to fund global conservation efforts, a dispute that remains unresolved as nearly 200 nations meet at COP17 biodiversity talks in Armenia to assess progress toward 2030 nature protection goals.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Africa's Ebola outbreak has passed 10,060 confirmed cases with 4,887 deaths, the majority in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May, according to Congolese health authorities. Cases have also been detected in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, with the WHO warning of a "complex" containment challenge spanning east, west and central Africa.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Indonesia is seeking to deepen its $690 million trade relationship with Kenya through new investments in healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and industrial development. The Indonesian Ambassador invited Kenyan businesses to an Indonesia Nairobi Expo on November 26–27 to explore partnerships in vaccine production, energy, aviation, and value addition.
27 October 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary has protested Nigeria's visa process for Kenyans, describing it as "unacceptable" and citing lack of reciprocity, since Kenya grants visa-free entry to Nigerian citizens. The government is pursuing diplomatic and political action to resolve what the PS called "unwarranted inconvenience."
27 October 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary clarified that the government has not endorsed any candidate for UN Secretary-General, despite Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's public welcome of the UAE's Lana Nusseibeh's candidacy. Kenya said it is following the selection process and will support a candidate it deems capable of leading the UN.
27 October 2026 · Capital News →
Clashes between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab militants on Monday left dozens dead according to both sides, though neither account could be independently verified. Al-Shabaab claimed 321 troop deaths while the defence ministry said 75 militants were killed and 56 wounded near Leego.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Dutch broadcaster NPO will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, citing "sensitivities" over Israel's participation and noting that Israel's involvement has elicited various reactions and caused discussion and division in society.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS has unanimously rejected proposals to shut down the agency, instead backing its transformation while ensuring protection for people living with or at risk of HIV and sustaining AIDS response gains. Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said the decision to preserve the Joint Programme is the beginning, with transformation work to follow.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board unanimously rejected plans to phase out the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, instead endorsing a transition that will streamline operations while preserving the organisation's mandate. The decision follows wider reforms within the UN system under the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative.
27 October 2026 · Capital News →
Tanzania's CHADEMA party has appealed to President William Ruto to intervene after its member and activist Twaha Mwaipaya was reported missing in Machakos County on Sunday. Mwaipaya was reportedly seized around 2:00 pm while travelling in a taxi; those responsible and his current location remain unknown.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Foreign Affairs PS has protested the treatment of Kenyan citizens applying for Nigerian visas, citing lack of reciprocity as Kenya grants visa-free entry to Nigerian citizens. The PS said Nairobi is pursuing diplomatic and political interventions after complaints that Nigeria's visa process is cumbersome and demands extensive documentation.
27 October 2026 · Capital News →
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) will cease operations on October 31, closing more than three decades of UN missions in the Horn of Africa. The mission's functions have been transferred to Somali institutions and UN agencies as part of a jointly agreed roadmap to strengthen national ownership of peacebuilding and state-building efforts.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei said the government has not expressed support for any candidate to succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General, though Kenya is monitoring the ongoing campaigns and will assess contenders as the race develops.
27 October 2026 · Capital News →
Israel holds a general election on Tuesday, the first since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, with voters deciding on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership amid regional wars, international isolation, and debate over security and accountability.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The trial of Kentaro Kitagawa, a former head of the Osaka District Public Prosecutor's Office accused of rape, restarted on Tuesday after a two-year pause. Kitagawa initially admitted guilt but later withdrew that admission and pleaded not guilty, claiming the sex was consensual; his accuser, a former prosecutor using the pseudonym Hikari, has said she lost memory of the incident and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 77, faces a close election against ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot on Tuesday. Netanyahu's security-first reputation was damaged by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, and he is campaigning on a platform opposing Palestinian statehood and citing Trump's endorsement.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A joint statement from 31 countries warned of urgent action needed to address "alarming deterioration" in Sudan's food security due to ongoing conflict. Aid workers estimate the war has killed more than 200,000 people, displaced more than 13 million, and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises, with over 40 percent of the population experiencing acute food insecurity.
27 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto is leading Kenya's delegation to the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow beginning Wednesday, as families who have lost relatives in the Ukraine war continue seeking a hearing with him after a joint parliamentary committee session on October 8.
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
African nationals captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine have called for their plight to be discussed at the Russia-Africa Summit beginning in Moscow on Wednesday. Ukrainian authorities are holding 18 African prisoners of war, including 5 Kenyans, two of whom have been publicly identified by Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary.
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accused his predecessor Joseph Kabila of being a Rwandan pawn after Kabila joined the Rwanda-backed M23 movement and took charge of a rebellion in the country's east. Kabila has formed a new political-military group, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, vowing to end "tyranny by any means, including force."
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Al-Shabaab militants ambushed Turkish-trained Somali government troops and allied militia in Lower Shabelle region, with claims of hundreds killed—though the government and insurgent accounts differ sharply and could not be independently verified. The attack underscores the army's weakness amid salary cuts and declining international donor support.
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Africa's latest Ebola outbreak has passed 10,060 confirmed cases with 4,887 fatalities, the vast majority in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May, according to Congolese health authorities. Cases have also been detected in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, and the World Health Organization warns Africa faces a "complex" containment task across the continent's east, west and central regions.
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Warring factions in Sudan have traded drone strikes that killed 21 people in a market in Nyala in the western Darfur region and knocked out power infrastructure across the country's east, according to medics and witnesses. The military struck the market frequented by Rapid Support Forces fighters, while the RSF targeted power stations in Khartoum and Al-Jazira states, leaving millions without electricity.
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto departed for Russia to represent Kenya at the Third Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, where he will advance Kenya's economic and strategic interests, including expansion of export markets for agricultural products, attracting investments, and exploring partnerships in technology and digital innovation.
27 October 2026 · The Standard →
Hundreds of students at the University of The Gambia demonstrated to protest deteriorating studying conditions, inadequate transport, limited drinking water access, canteen closure, unreliable internet, and disruptions to academic activities. The Ministry of Higher Education acknowledged the concerns and called for constructive dialogue.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
American singer Chris Brown was handed an eight-month jail term suspended for a year after pleading guilty to affray during a 2023 brawl at a London nightclub. A UK judge sentenced him Monday, saying violence of that kind in a crowded venue is serious and creates obvious risk to multiple people.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ethiopian passport holders can travel to only 17 countries without a visa and 33 destinations with visas on arrival, according to the 2026 Global Passport Power Index, placing Ethiopia at position 90 alongside Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan. Only five African Union member states — Kenya, Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda and Togo — allow Ethiopians visa-free entry, with economic conditions, security concerns and diplomatic relations cited as factors limiting the passport's standing.
26 October 2026 · Capital News →
Nigeria airlifted its sole confirmed Ebola patient—a 42-year-old Swiss citizen and wife of a Swiss embassy worker—from Abuja to Switzerland on Monday. The patient's condition was improving but remains infectious; 53 of her contacts have been identified by Nigerian health authorities as Africa faces a "complex" Ebola outbreak across multiple regions.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Faith and indigenous leaders have been challenged to translate climate commitments into practical community action and hold governments accountable for ensuring climate financing reaches vulnerable populations. Israeli Ambassador Gideon Behar stressed that religious leaders have a critical role in mobilizing communities, urging them to form partnerships across faiths and undertake interventions including tree planting, neighbourhood clean-ups and protection of local water resources.
26 October 2026 · Capital News →
Senegal's prime minister called for dialogue after the opposition Pastef party rejected a 2026 revised budget bill in a legislative finance committee, threatening the country's ability to manage its public-sector debt estimated at 132 percent of GDP.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Linda Mwananchi Movement has condemned the alleged abduction of Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, a youth mobilization leader and national mobilization coordinator for CHADEMA's youth wing, who was reportedly taken in the Kamulu area of Machakos County on October 25, 2026. The group called on Kenyan authorities to disclose his whereabouts, ensure his safety, and protect him from forced removal from Kenya.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Serbia's student-led movement declared victory in parliamentary elections on Sunday, ending 14 years in power for Aleksandar Vucic's right-wing populist party. The snap vote followed nearly two years of anti-government protests sparked by the 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Uganda has mandated a 21-day quarantine at their own expense for citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as health authorities strengthen measures to prevent Ebola spread following infections reported in Kenya and Nigeria. The measure includes intensified screening at airports and land borders, with contact information collection for follow-up surveillance.
26 October 2026 · Capital News →
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won an unprecedented fourth term in a runoff election on October 25, 2026, becoming the first person to win a presidential runoff after losing the first round in Brazil. The 81-year-old leftist politician, who had finished second to Flavio Bolsonaro in the initial round, secured victory after an energetic campaign.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won re-election with 51.8 percent of votes to 48.2 percent for Flavio Bolsonaro, but Bolsonaro refused to accept the loss and said he would seek to annul the vote.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after nearly a year in exile, greeting supporters at a church in Barquisimeto. Her return is likely to pressure interim president Delcy Rodriguez, who has led the country since US forces ousted Nicolas Maduro in January.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won re-election with 51.8 percent of votes to 48.2 percent for rival Flavio Bolsonaro, but Bolsonaro refused to accept the result and said he would seek to annul the vote. The Supreme Court extended voting by two hours after Lula complained that buses had been pulled from circulation, restricting voter access.
26 October 2026 · The Standard →
Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has departed for Moscow for the Third Russia–Africa Summit scheduled for October 28–30, 2026, where Kenya aims to pursue economic opportunities, particularly expanded access to the Russian market for Kenyan tea, coffee and horticultural produce. Mudavadi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov to review relations between the two countries and explore opportunities for deeper economic and political cooperation.
26 October 2026 · The Standard →
Brazil held a presidential runoff election Sunday between leftist incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula called for voting hours to be extended, citing reduced bus services in São Paulo and other cities as obstacles to voting.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya was reportedly abducted in Kamulu, Machakos County, on Sunday while travelling by taxi. Human rights organisations have called on Kenyan authorities to urgently trace him amid fears he could be forcibly taken across the border to Tanzania.
25 October 2026 · Capital News →
The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay more than $800 million to hundreds of victims of sexual abuse by clergy, with the settlement to be formally signed in early November, marking the end of years of negotiations.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Companies and government agencies rushed to patch two critical flaws in PHP discovered using an OpenAI model, marking a high-profile demonstration of AI's cyber capabilities and beginning what cybersecurity experts warn could be a chaotic period as AI tools find software vulnerabilities faster than ever.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Israel's Knesset has 120 members elected for four-year terms in a single nationwide constituency under proportional representation; parliament can be dissolved early by simple majority vote, and the entire country of roughly 7.3 million voters forms one constituency.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he has backing of the "vast, vast majority" of member associations for a fourth term, bolstered by support from the Asian Football Confederation, despite earlier controversy over his withdrawn plan to allow private investment in the World Cup.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former US President Barack Obama has attacked the Trump administration over the Iran war and high consumer prices while campaigning for Democrats ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, which will decide which party controls Congress. Trump meanwhile touted his administration's immigration and tariff policies at a rally in Georgia.
25 October 2026 · Capital News →
Almost 1,000 arrests were made as hundreds of thousands protested across France on Saturday over cost of living and school conditions, with police deploying tear gas and water cannon after largely peaceful demonstrations turned to clashes in several cities.
25 October 2026 · Capital News →
Mali's armed forces said they discovered 54 bodies after attacks on camps in the Menaka region last weekend, an increase of six from previous reports. According to testimony, the Islamic State group's Sahel branch carried out the attack.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Protesters in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh clashed with police and torched buildings during demonstrations against India's proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, a state-run hydropower scheme intended to counter an upstream Chinese dam. Around 40 police personnel were injured and several government buildings were vandalized during the Friday violence.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Explosions sounded in Saudi Arabia's capital on Sunday as Riyadh international airport prepared to reopen following a two-week closure caused by Houthi strikes. Yemen's Houthis, backed by Iran, have conducted repeated attacks on the airport, including a strike this month that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, and have warned the facility remains unsafe.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former US president Barack Obama delivered criticisms of Donald Trump at rallies in Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Obama blamed the Trump administration for rising cost of living and described the current administration's decisions as "chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence."
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Gabon's High Communication Authority restored access to social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram on Saturday, ending an eight-month suspension imposed in February citing concerns that online content was stoking conflict and division.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Elon Musk accused Ukraine's military of violating Starlink's terms of service by using it for offensive drone strikes, saying the loophole was closed last week and that further violations would result in service termination. Musk said Starlink remains critical to Ukraine's defense as the only system that cannot be jammed or blown up.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Descendants of prominent British families including the Gladstones, Lascelles, and Trevelyons—whose ancestors accumulated wealth from plantation ownership and slave trade—have begun supporting Caribbean nations' campaigns for slavery reparations. Former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan co-founded the Heirs of Slavery group after discovering her family's compensation claims for the loss of enslaved people when Britain abolished slavery in 1833.
25 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Brazilians vote on Sunday in a runoff between veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, seeking a fourth term, and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, with final polls showing the two candidates neck-and-neck. The election will determine whether Brazil remains a leftist nation or swings right, with Lula pitching himself as a bulwark against democratic backsliding and Bolsonaro promising to crack down on crime and reduce government spending.
25 October 2026 · The Standard →
Former US president Barack Obama delivered criticisms of Donald Trump at rallies in Ohio and Michigan to support Democratic candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, citing the rising cost of living and an unnecessary war as reasons for voters to seek change.
25 October 2026 · The Standard →
Russia faces criticism over its treatment of African nationals recruited into its war in Ukraine, with Moscow declining to help trace or repatriate remains of dead Kenyan fighters ahead of the Russia–Africa Summit in October. Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi told Parliament that 84 Kenyans involved in the conflict had been killed or were missing, while government records identified 354 Kenyans linked to the war.
25 October 2026 · The Standard →
Detained Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, 58, plans to begin a hunger strike on Monday to demand private meetings with his lawyers while awaiting a treason verdict expected on November 6. Lissu, arrested in April 2025 on accusations of inciting public election boycotts, has been in detention since his 2023 return from exile, and his party says prison authorities are defying a High Court ruling on his constitutional right to meet counsel.
25 October 2026 · The Standard →