As rumours emerged of a papal visit, some of Cameroon’s Catholics voiced fears the trip would give longtime President Paul Biya a chance to polish his image six months on from deadly protests following his contested re-election.

Nearly 70 percent of people in Sudan are now living in poverty, almost double pre-war levels, as conflict continues to devastate the country’s economy and social fabric, a senior UN official has said.

Ghana footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rapes.

A former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied corruption allegations as she testified before a London court, rejecting claims that she accepted bribes while in office.

Ghana has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of its men’s national football team, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said on Monday (13 April).

Israel observed Holocaust Remembrance Day on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, with a nationwide two-minute silence that brought the country to a halt, as ceremonies at Yad Vashem took place amid growing concern over a global rise in antisemitic incidents and rhetoric.

Botswana has signed a series of energy, mining, and infrastructure agreements with Oman as it steps up efforts to diversify its economy beyond diamonds, amid a prolonged downturn in global demand for the precious stones.

Patrice Motsepe says he welcomes any independent inquiry into governance at the African football body, as tensions rise over the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and award it to Morocco.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands were received by US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House on Monday, 13 April 2026, for a formal dinner and overnight stay as part of their three-day visit to the United States.

Pedro Sánchez meets Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday 14 April 2026, aiming to strengthen political and trade relations at a time of global tension.

Algeria hosted Pope Leo XIV on Monday 14 April for a Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, marking the first papal visit to the country.

Donald Trump staged a McDonald’s DoorDash delivery to the Oval Office to promote new tax deductions on tips, touting relief of up to $25,000.

A Burundian court partially acquitted journalist Sandra Muhoza on Monday after nearly two years behind bars.

The wedding industry in the UK is gauging the impact of the war with Iran. Despite riding fuel prices putting pressure on supply chains, vendors say they are prepared to absorb higher costs.

Berlin Zoo celebrates Fatou, a 69‑year‑old western lowland gorilla, highlighting how specialised care in captivity can extend the lives of endangered species.

Pope Leo touched down in Algeria on Monday, beginning an 11 day tour of four African countries. Leo is visiting Algeria to champion Christian-Muslim co-existence.

Benin presidential election favourite Romuald Wadagni headed for victory Monday as his opponent conceded defeat even as votes were still being counted.

A French court has fined cement group Lafarge $1.3 million for paying the Islamic State group and other jihadists to keep its factory running in Syria during the civil war.

Nigeria’s Air Force has launched an investigation after an airstrike on Sunday allegedly killed dozens of civilians in the country’s northeast.

It still has tens of thousands of artworks and artefacts that it looted from its colonial empire. Now, France is debating a bill to simplify returning them to their countries of origin.

Malawian police arrested the former finance minister Sunday on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, in the latest move in a widening post-election crackdown on former senior officials.

Global markets have been rattled after Donald Trump announced a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions following failed peace talks with Iran.

Iran’s military has warned that no ports in the Persian gulf or Gulf of Oman will be safe if its own ports are threatened. It comes as the US military announced it will launch a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Thailand marked the start of the Songkran New Year on Monday, 13 April 2026, with large crowds gathering in Bangkok for its traditional water festival.

Lebanon saw further damage on Monday, 13 April 2026, as Lebanese Red Cross volunteers inspected ambulances hit by Israeli strikes in the coastal city of Tyre, while rescue teams cleared debris in the nearby village of Maaroub.

US-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside against him over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

Algeria welcomed Pope Leo XIV on Monday, 13 April 2026, marking the first visit by a pontiff to the Muslim-majority country, with a focus on interfaith dialogue and peace.

At least 56 people were killed and 14 injured after a military airstrike hit a market in northeastern Nigeria, according to a UN report, with locals and rights groups warning that civilians were among those killed.

Benin is leaning into its painful history as a key port in the transatlantic slave trade to encourage tourism.

Pope Leo XIV has begun a historic visit to Algeria, marking the first-ever papal trip to the country and launching an 11-day African tour focused on interfaith dialogue and regional engagement.

Mauritius has pledged to “spare no effort” to reclaim control of the Chagos Islands after a proposed handover deal by Keir Starmer collapsed amid shifting U.S. support.

Geordin Hill-Lewis has secured the top job in Cape Town, but his ambitions are already stretching well beyond the city, as he positions himself for national leadership.

A tragic stampede at a mountaintop fortress in northern Haiti has left at least 30 people dead and dozens injured, after crowds gathered for traditional festivities.

At least 25 people died on Saturday, 11 April 2026, after a stampede at the Citadelle Laferrière near Milot, a major tourist site in the north of the country.

Anticipation is building across Africa as Pope Leo XIV prepares for an 11-day այց spanning four nations, with believers expressing hope for spiritual renewal and political reconciliation.

Peru’s presidential election on Sunday, 12 April 2026, was thrown into uncertainty after widespread logistical failures prevented thousands of voters from casting their ballots, delaying the outcome.

Hungary saw large crowds take to the streets on Sunday, 12 April 2026, after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conceded defeat, ending 16 years in power.

Benin began counting ballots Sunday after a presidential election that could extend a decade of economic growth while testing the country’s democratic balance. Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is the frontrunner to succeed outgoing president Patrice Talon, who is stepping down after two terms.

Dozens of injured victims were taken to a hospital in Geidam, where they are receiving treatment, a hospital worker said.

Dozens of people died in airstrikes in Nigeria’s northeastern Yobe state as military aircraft hunted Boko Haram jihadists, local residents and Amnesty International said on Sunday.