Tanzania threatens to de-register churches that criticise Magufuli

Tanzania has threatened to revoke the registration of religious organisations that “mix religion and politics” after a cleric criticised President John Magufuli’s leadership in a Christmas sermon.

Opposition leaders in Tanzania say tolerance for dissent has been rapidly disappearing since Magufuli took office in late 2015 with pledges to reform East Africa’s third-biggest economy and crack down on large-scale corruption.

Namibian deputy prime minister survives fatal car crash

Namibia’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister survived a car crash on Thursday in which three people were reportedly killed, local media reported, citing police sources.

Congolese army repels rebel attack in DRC-Uganda border region

A soldier and six Mai-Mai militiamen died in clashes Thursday in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo near the Ugandan border, the Congolese army said.

Since the beginning of 2017, Mai-Mai militias have regularly attacked Congolese army positions in the region.

'Come back home. It's safe' – Zimbabweans to family stuck at Thai airport

Zimbabweans have reacted to media reports of a family that has been stuck at the Bangkok Airport in Thailand for nearly three months.

AFP news agency reported this week that a family of four adults and four children, aged between two and eleven years have tried and failed to leave Thailand since October.

Egypt's Pres. Sisi condemns deadly attack on Coptic church

Gunmen killed at least nine people including three police in an attack on a Coptic Christian church in Helwan city, southern Cairo on Friday.

The two attackers opened fire at the entrance to the church of Mar Mina in Helwan district, which was being guarded by police in the run-up to Orthodox Christmas celebrations next week, security sources said.

Ethiopia speaker, PM's policy analyst flip-flop on resignation

Ethiopia’s speaker of parliament and another top official of government have reportedly rescinded their resignation from government.

According to the state-affiliated FBC, the two had agreed to return to their posts after high-level talks by the Executive Committee of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Mali PM and ministers resign to allow government reshuffle

Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga and his government resigned on Friday, the president’s office said, without giving a reason.

U.S. thanks Congo for releasing its citizen held since March 2016

Congo Republic on Friday released Marcel Pika, a naturalised U.S. citizen detained for nearly two years, according to the U.S. embassy in the capital, Brazzaville.

U.N. chief salutes Weah on poll victory, lauds Liberia's democratic stride

The United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated George Weah on his election as the next President of Liberia, and commended Vice-President Joseph Boakai for conceding defeat.

According to a statement issued by the UN chief’s spokesperson, Mr Guterres welcomes the official announcement of results by the National Elections Commission on 29 December reiterated his praise for the people of Liberia for the peaceful manner in which the process was conducted.

Mental health care a 'national problem' says sheriff

Sheriff Greg Pollan and Tyler Haire, photographed in 2014

A Mississippi sheriff says the United States has a "national problem" with how it treats mental health patients in the justice system.

Greg Pollan was speaking after an investigation by the BBC and ProPublica into the case of Tyler Haire.

Haire - who had a long history of mental health problems - was in jail for almost four years without trial while waiting to be assessed.

St Petersburg supermarket blast claimed by IS

The busy supermarket was wrecked by the explosion

The so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group says it was behind Wednesday's bombing of a supermarket in the Russian city of St Petersburg that injured at least 13 people.

IS made the claim on its Amaq news outlet but gave no evidence.

President Vladimir Putin had earlier described the blast at the Perekrestok branch as a terrorist act.

Argentina father jailed for keeping daughter as 'sex slave'

An Argentine man who fathered eight children with his daughter has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Domingo Bulacio, 57, was found guilty by a court in Argentina of raping his own daughter over a 20-year period.

The victim, who has not officially been named, said that he kept her as a sex slave from the age of 11.

Sue Grafton: Alphabet crime author dies aged 77

Sue Grafton received numerous awards for her work

US crime writer Sue Grafton, best known for creating the private eye Kinsey Malhone in her 'alphabet mystery' novels, has died aged 77.

Her daughter Jamie Clark said she died in Santa Barbara, California, following a two-year battle with cancer.

"She was surrounded by family, including her devoted and adoring husband Steve," she said.

Thai ponzi scheme fraudster sentenced to 13,275 years in prison

Some 40,000 people are believed to have been duped by the fraudulent scheme (file picture)

A Thai court has sentenced a fraudster to more than 13,000 years in prison.

Pudit Kittithradilok, 34, admitted running a Ponzi scheme whereby he promised investors artificially high financial returns.

Egypt attack: Gunman targets Coptic Christians in church and shop

Nine people have been killed in two attacks on Coptic Christians in Helwan district, south of Cairo, Egypt's interior ministry has said.

Six civilians and a policeman died when a gunman tried to storm a church but was intercepted and arrested, it said.

It said the man had previously attacked a Coptic-owned shop in the same area, killing two brothers.

Australia rugby star Karmichael Hunt faces drugs charge

Karmichael Hunt made his Wallabies debut in June

Australian rugby union star Karmichael Hunt has been charged with possessing drugs after police arrested him in Brisbane, reports say.

The Wallabies player was detained on Saturday, along with another man, after being found with a white powder, broadcaster ABC reported.

Rugby Australia said it had launched an investigation into the incident.

Egypt's Morsi sentenced to three years for insulting the judiciary

Mr Morsi has spent several years behind bars (file pic)

Egypt's former president has been sentenced to three years in prison for insulting the judiciary.

Mohammed Morsi already holds other jail terms including a life sentence.

He is awaiting a retrial on a separate charge of conspiring to commit terrorist acts, for which he was previously sentenced to death. The death sentence was lifted on appeal.

Cardboard tents distributed to Brussels homeless

Many people are uncomfortable with current levels of homelessness in Western cities

A project in Brussels, Belgium is pioneering portable cardboard tents for homeless people to sleep in.

The cardboard tents, known as the ORIG-AMI project, can be transported by users on their backs as they seek shelter.

Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest under new rules

A view from the summit of Everest, where more than 200 people have died since 1920

Nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including Mount Everest, in an attempt to reduce accidents.

The new safety regulations also prohibit double amputee and blind climbers from attempting to reach the summit of the world's highest peak.

A tourism official said the law had been revised to make mountaineering safer and to decrease deaths.

Iran protests: Citizens told to avoid 'illegal gatherings'

The Iranian government has told people to avoid "illegal gatherings" in the wake of two days of angry anti-establishment protests in the country.

Scores have been arrested in protests over corruption and living standards.

Some small groups have continued demonstrations in Tehran and elsewhere.

But Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli urged people "not to participate in these illegal gatherings as they will create problems for themselves and other citizens".

Uganda names Frenchman Desabre as new football coach

Frenchman Sebastien Desabre has been unveiled as the new coach of Uganda’s national team.

The new coach was unveiled by Uganda’s football governing body, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) which revealed that he has been appointed on a two-year deal to replace Milutin Sredojevic who resigned in July.

Nigerian women learning martial art for self defence

In Nigeria, sexual abuse and harassment is rife and no current statistics as many women are quiet for fear of pervasive victim shaming.

A 2013 report by Nigerian opinion poll (NOI Polls) showed that 30 percent of Nigerians know someone who has been raped, with most of the assaults going unreported due to stigma and a lack of confidence in the justice system.

Martial art which is seen as a means to keep fit by most people is now been viewed as a way for self defence from molestation of any kind.

Coal mine survivors recount harrowing tales

The exploitation of ore is the main cause of demonstrations that have shaken the city of Jerada, in the north of Morocco in recent days.

In this city, one of the poorest of the Cherifian kingdom, hundreds of miners like Abderrazzak risk their lives to clandestinely extract coal in abandoned mines.

A few days ago, he miraculously escaped death in an accident in a coal mine. But two of his companions did not have the same luck. Their deaths sparked anger and excitement among the local population who claim to be marginalized.

ECOWAS mission satisfied with conduct of Liberia's run-off poll

The ECOWAS Observation Mission in Liberia has praised Liberians for their patience, determination and peaceful conduct of the presidential run-off poll.

The West Africa regional bloc observer mission released its preliminary report describing the election as peaceful, transparent and fair.

The head of the ECOWAS observer mission and former Ghanaian president, John Mahama addressed the media at a press conference in Monrovia said.

Ethiopia activists stage online campaign for 'Prisoners of Conscience'

Activists in Ethiopia are making use of social media platforms – Twitter/Facebook in a campaign for the release of persons under detention or in jail for supposedly political reasons.

With the hashtag #FreeAllPrisonersOfConscience different Twitter users shared photos of persons ranging from journalists, politicians, religious preachers and activists.

Shisha ban: Kenya outlaws water-pipe tobacco consumption

Kenya has placed a total ban on the consumption and use of water-pipe tobacco popularly known as ‘shisha,’ citing the health hazards associated with it.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Cloepa Mailu, in accordance with the Public Health Act subsequently banned the product across the national territory.

According to the statement issued on December 28, “No person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer to sale, use, advertise, promote or distribute Shisha in Kenya”.

Nigeria, U.S. agree $593m fighter plane deal to fight Boko Haram

The United States has formally agreed to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons to Nigeria, the West African country’s air force said, confirming the resurrection of a deal frozen by the Obama administration over rights concerns.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama delayed the sale in one of his last decisions in office after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a refugee camp in January.

Scot-Ghanaian couple inspire diversity conversation on Twitter

The Honorary Consul for Ethiopia in Scotland, Professor John Struthers has sparked a ‘warm’ diversity conversation on the internet after sharing a personal photograph with a powerful message.

In the photograph, Professor Struthers stands in the left of the shot dressed in full kilt complimented with African ‘Kente’ bowtie and scarf while his wife of 40 years, stands next to him wearing an African ‘Kente’ blouse and skirt complete with a matching head wrap.

South Africa's top court to deliver ruling on impeachment of Pres. Zuma

South Africa’s top court will rule on Friday on a bid to compel the country’s parliament to launch impeachment proceedings against President Jacob Zuma over a scandal related to state-funded upgrades to his private home.

The Constitutional Court application brought by the EFF, UDM and Congress of the People (Cope) seeks to compel the Speaker of Parliament, Baleka Mbete, to convene a Committee of Parliament or other independent bodies to investigate President Zuma’s conduct and determine whether he is guilty of breaching his oath of office.

Kenya's Kenyatta, Burundi's Nkurunziza congratulate Weah

Following the provisional results which showed that George Weah has an unassailable lead of 61.5% after 98 percent of votes cast had been tallied, Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta and Burundi’s president Pierre Nkurunziza have taken to social media to congratulate the president-elect.

From Kenyatta who himself won a hugely contested presidential election this year.

Israel: Minister leads prayers for rain to end drought

The agriculture minister said he thought prayers could help resolve the crisis

Israel's Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, has joined with the country's religious leaders in an attempt to use the power of prayer to end a drought.

Mr Ariel is an Orthodox Jew and led prayers on Thursday at Jerusalem's Western Wall.

Severe drought for four years has left the country's water supplies at low levels.

National Archives: Thatcher refused to share flight with panda

Chia Chia (left) had to find another flight from London to Washington to make its date with Ching Ching

Margaret Thatcher once refused to share a flight to Washington with London Zoo's giant panda, newly-released National Archives' files have revealed.

Lord Zuckerman, president of the London Zoological Society, suggested that Chia Chia the panda could share the prime minister's Concorde flight in 1981.

Washington's Smithsonian Institution had asked to borrow Chia Chia, to mate it with US-based Ching Ching.

Italy dissolves parliament for March election

The Italian president's role is largely ceremonial

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella has dissolved parliament, to pave the way for a general election on 4 March.

The government met shortly after Mr Mattarella's decree was announced, and confirmed the election date.

The ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) faces a strong challenge from anti-establishment Five Star (M5S) and right-wing Forza Italia, who want tough measures to curb immigration.

India elephant rescue: The forest guard who saved a calf

The calf weighed more than the forest guard who saved it

A forest guard in southern India has made headlines by saving a baby elephant that fell into a ditch and became separated from its mother.

Palanichamy Sarathkumar, 28, has been inundated with messages of support since news of the rescue in Tamil Nadu state emerged at the weekend.

Many wanted to know how he carried the animal, which weighs more than he does.

Uber: Softbank takes large stake in ride-hailing firm

Japanese giant Softbank is set to take a large stake in Uber, expanding its holdings in transportation companies around the world.

Softbank led a consortium that reportedly agreed to invest at least $8bn for a roughly 15% stake in the San Francisco-based ride-hailing company.

The group will buy most of the shares from early investors in a deal that values Uber at about $48bn (£35.7bn).

Alabama certifies election despite last-ditch Roy Moore legal case

Doug Jones was formally declared the winner on Thursday

Democrat Doug Jones has been certified as the winner of the Alabama senate race despite a last-ditch legal case by the defeated Republican Roy Moore.

Republican state officials confirmed the 12 December special election result, one day after Mr Moore claimed election fraud and called for a re-run.

Mr Moore had been expected to win the conservative state but he was dogged by allegations of child sexual misconduct.

Justine Damond: US prosecutor delays decision on charges

Prosecutors say they are getting more information on Justine Damond's death

A US prosecutor says more work needs to be done before deciding on whether to charge a policeman who shot dead an unarmed Australian woman.

Justine Damond, 40, was killed by officer Mohamed Noor in July after she rang police to report a woman screaming outsider her Minneapolis home.

Investigations into her death are ongoing. No charges have been laid against Mr Noor.

Zimbabwean family stranded in Bangkok airport for months

Suvarnabhumi is Thailand's largest airport

No-one really enjoys a long airport stopover, but for one Zimbabwean family, Bangkok's main airport has been home for nearly three months.

According to the Thai immigration bureau, the four children under 11 and four adults arrived in Bangkok in May, but are refusing to return to Zimbabwe for fear of persecution.

Their plight came to light after someone who said he worked at Suvarnabhumi airport posted a photo on Facebook showing himself giving a little African girl a Christmas present.

Brutal cold spell sets record lows across the US

Bitter cold continues to blanket the northern United States and Canada as forecasters warn that the deep freeze will continue into the start of 2018.

International Falls in the US state of Minnesota - the self-proclaimed "Icebox of the Nation" - saw temperatures drop to -37F (-38.3C).

George Weah elected Liberian president

Former football star George Weah has been elected as Liberia's president.

With nearly all ballots from Tuesday's run-off vote counted, Mr Weah is well ahead of opponent Joseph Boakai with more than 60% of the vote.

As news of Mr Weah's victory emerged, his supporters began celebrating in the capital Monrovia.

Kamala Mills: Fire at Mumbai complex kills 15 people

A massive late night fire that broke out at a Mumbai complex has killed at least 15 people, officials said.

The blaze erupted just after midnight at a building in the popular Kamala Mills restaurant and shopping compound. It engulfed the structure within 30 minutes, local media reported.

More people have been injured in the blaze with several being treated in hospital.

North Korea: Trump accuses China of allowing oil transfers

The North desperately needs fuel imports but sanctions are biting hard

US President Donald Trump has said he's "very disappointed" with China following a report that it had allowed oil to be shipped into North Korea.

In a tweet, Mr Trump said China had been "caught red-handed".

He said there could never be "a friendly solution" to the North Korea crisis if oil was allowed to be exported to Pyongyang.

Bronx fire: Twelve die in New York apartment block blaze

Ladders were extended into the windows of the damaged building

At least 12 people have been killed and four others critically injured in a fire at an apartment building in the Bronx borough of New York.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the fire was the deadliest in the city for at least 25 years. The victims include a one-year-old child, he added.

Apple apologises for slowing older iPhones down

The company has announced a range of measures to "regain the trust" of customers

Apple has apologised after facing criticism for admitting it deliberately slows down some ageing iPhone models.

The company now says it will replace batteries for less and will issue software in 2018 so customers can monitor their phone's battery health.

Uganda's opposition legislators to challenge age limit removal in court

The age limit constitutional amendment that was passed by Uganda’s parliament yesterday will be challenged in court.

Legislators who were opposed to the amendment have revealed that they will challenge the outcome of the parliamentary vote because the process of removing the age limit was fraudulent.

“We are going to challenge the process [in court]. We want to let Ugandans know that we played our part and now we are giving ball to the Ugandan in a new campaign K’ogikutteko,” the leader of opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kizza said while addressing journalists in Kampala.

Conflicting parties in South Sudan express hopes to end hostilities

All parties involved in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led revitalization forum on South Sudan said they want an end to hostilities as soon as possible.

Representatives from the government, the opposition and former political detainees have told China Global Television Network (CGTN) that they hope the gathering in Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa from Monday till Friday will end suffering once and for all.

Qatar, Senegal to cooperate in youth & sports as Emir starts six nation tour

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall have entered into a cultural cooperation agreement in the field of sports and in the field of youth.

The two officials signed memorandums of understanding on behalf of their governments at a ceremony attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir and Senegal Prime Minister Mahammed Dionne and a number of Their Excellences ministers and senior officials. The Emir also attended a dinner banquet hosted by Senegal President.

Ethiopia's ruling coalition sweats over insecurity as Oromo, Amhara MPs protest

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Front (EPRDF), the country’s ruling coalition is facing an internal crisis which has led to Members of Parliament (MPs) belonging to two main blocs – the Amhara and Oromia, boycotting parliament, the BBC Africa Live page has reported.

The coalition in a statement released on Wednesday admitted that it was facing gradual ‘mistrust and suspicion’ among the four main blocs. OPDO, ANDM, TPLFand SEPDM.

Tanzania government claims ownership of Airtel

The management of Tanzania Telecommunication company Limited (TTCL) have started a move to repossess a local mobile firm Airtel.

This follows a directive by the country’s president John Pombe Magufuli to the finance minister to make a close follow-up on the ownership of Airtel in Tanzania.

According to Dr. Magufuli, Airtel is fully owned by the state company, arguing that there was an irregularity in switching the shares of TTCL to Airtel in 2001 when the firm was operating as Celtel Tanzania.

South Sudan govt, rebel groups sign IGAD ceasefire deal in Ethiopia

South Sudan’s government and rebel groups signed a ceasefire on Thursday in the latest attempt to end a four-year civil war and allow humanitarian groups access to civilians caught in the fighting.

The ceasefire aims to revive a 2015 peace deal that collapsed last year after heavy fighting broke out in South Sudan’s capital Juba. It was agreed after talks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa convened by regional bloc IGAD.