Botswana’s president has declared a public health emergency following severe shortages of essential medicines and equipment, as a prolonged slump in the diamond market and cuts to US aid strain the country’s finances. The announcement came after the Ministry of Health suspended non-urgent surgeries on 4 August, citing shortages of drugs for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, asthma and eye conditions, as well as a lack of bandages, sutures and supplies for…

An initiative intended to strengthen ties between Japan and African nations has descended into controversy after misleading reports fuelled claims that the project would bring an influx of immigrants. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) this month named four Japanese cities, Imabari, Kisarazu, Sanjo and Nagai, as “Africa hometowns” linked with Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania. The scheme, unveiled at the close of an international conference on African development in…

Donald Trump has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most United States imports from India, escalating a trade dispute over New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude. The duties, which came into force just after midnight on Wednesday in Washington, are expected to deliver a heavy blow to the Indian economy and heap further strain on global supply chains. Earlier this month, the White House raised tariffs on Indian goods…

By Eniola Amadu  India is grappling with 50% tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, just weeks after he signed an executive order introducing a 25% penalty over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil and weapons. The move places India — one of Washington’s closest Indo-Pacific partners — among the countries facing the highest tariffs globally. READ ALSO: Trump signs order to prosecute flag burners The measures are expected to…

SpaceX was forced to call off the planned launch of its Starship rocket in Texas on Monday because of poor weather, marking the latest setback for the company. The 71-metre Super Heavy booster and its 52-metre Starship upper stage, together taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty, had been scheduled to lift off from SpaceX’s Starbase site at 7.30pm local time. The attempt was abandoned at the last moment. “Standing…

France will take legal action against the Australian streaming service Kick for alleged negligence following the death of a man during a livestream, the country’s digital affairs minister has confirmed. The platform has come under scrutiny after 46-year-old Raphael Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove or JP, died earlier this month while attempting a 12-day livestreaming marathon. His broadcasts were centred on enduring abuse and humiliation from participants. Kick, launched…

Poland’s president has vetoed legislation to prolong welfare payments for Ukrainian refugees, honouring a campaign pledge to tighten support at a time of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the country. Karol Nawrocki, who took office earlier this month after his spring election victory, said only Ukrainians in work should be entitled to child benefit. “We remain open to providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens that hasn’t changed,” Nawrocki said in a statement.…

India’s supreme court has ordered an investigation into Vantara, a vast private zoo and animal rescue facility run by Anant Ambani, the son of Asia’s richest man, following allegations of illegal wildlife imports and financial misconduct. Located in Gujarat state and spread across 3,000 acres next to a Reliance Industries oil refinery, Vantara claims to be the world’s largest wild animal rescue centre. It is home to an estimated 200…

Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and export restrictions on countries that levy digital taxes or introduce regulations targeting major American technology firms, including Google, Meta, Amazon and Apple. Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, the US president claimed that “digital taxes, legislation, rules or regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American technology”. READ ALSO: Trump signs order to prosecute flag burners He singled out…

Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal prosecutors to seek criminal charges against people who burn the American flag during protests, in a move that challenges a long-standing supreme court ruling protecting the act as free speech. The order instructs the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, to examine incidents of flag burning and determine whether individuals can be prosecuted under existing laws, such as disturbing the peace or…

Cambodia’s parliament has passed legislation enabling authorities to revoke the citizenship of citizens deemed to be “colluding” with foreign countries, a move rights groups say will be used to silence dissent. All 120 members of the National Assembly, including Prime Minister Hun Manet, voted in favour of the bill on Monday. The law allows nationality to be stripped for acts of collusion with foreign powers or actions considered to undermine…

By Eniola Amadu  At least three people have been killed and 10 others injured after Typhoon Kajiki swept across Vietnam. Officials warned of continued heavy rainfall that could trigger flooding and landslides in several regions. According to a government statement, the storm damaged nearly 7,000 homes, engulfed 28,800 hectares of rice fields, and uprooted 18,000 trees. READ ALSO: Over 500,000 ordered to evacuate as typhoon advances towards Vietnam  It also toppled…