Going bananas: Uganda start-up turns plant waste into fake hair, carpets

TexFad is using natural banana fibre to produce environmentally friendly items such as carpets and biodegradable hair extensions.

UN says aid situation worsening in Tigray, no Eritrean pullout

The UN humanitarian chief warned the grave humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region is deteriorating, with no sign of Eritrean troops withdrawing and alarmingly widespread reports of systematic rape and other sexual violence.

Kenyan scientists research MERS virus over fears it could be next pandemic

Research on camels in Kenya is critical to advance understanding of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, a far deadlier cousin of Covid-19 that scientists fear could cause the next global pandemic.

Somalia: Many dead in minibus explosion caused by landmine

The minibus en route from capital Mogadishu to Jowhar in Middle Shabelle region was blown up near Balad district, killing at least 15 people and injuring four others, officials say.

Somali president extends his mandate for two years despite donor concerns

New head of state was to be chosen by new legislators whose selection was delayed after opponents accused the president of packing regional and national elections boards with his supporters.

MV Ever Given owner negotiating Egypt’s $900M demand for release

Japanese-owned, Taiwanese-operated and Panama-flagged ship moved to unobstructive anchorage in Suez Canal, after it was freed on March 29, “due to its failure to pay $900 million” compensation to waterway authorities.

Bus accident in southern Egypt claims more than a dozen of lives

The bus was travelling from Cairo when it turned over and was hit by the truck on a road in the southern province of Assiut, 320 kilometres south of Cairo.

Niger school fire kills several children

Fire in capital Niamey burns 21 classrooms in straw huts, killing 20 children, officials say.

Inter-communal violence claims several lives in DRC

At least ten people are killed in the restive North Kivu province, prompting the authorities to impose a ban on all public protests.

Erdogan: Protecting Libya's sovereignty Turkey's top goal

Those who took sides with putschists in Libya instead of its legitimate government were allies in massacres, says Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a press conference with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Turkish capital Ankara.

Migrants transported by smugglers drown off Djibouti coast

The boat left Yemen with around 60 passengers, including many children, International Organization for Migration official in Djibouti says on second such accident in just over a month.

Mogadishu police chief fired over attempt to suspend Somali parliament

Moments after Mogadishu police chief Saadaq Omar Hassan announced suspending Somali parliament for disccusions to extend presidential term, Somalia police commissioner Hassan Mohamed Hijar fired and replaced Hassan.