Oct 2, 2026
The UN voted to shift away from the 16th-century Mercator projection toward a map that more accurately reflects countries' true sizes, following a resolution sponsored by African states to counter perceived distortions that minimize Africa's scale.
Violent xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa have escalated into mass deportations and diplomatic tensions, with thousands of foreign nationals fleeing or being processed for removal. The crisis has triggered clashes with police and prompted retaliatory pressure on South African businesses operating across the continent.
The United States has supplied experimental antibody drugs for clinical trials in Democratic Republic of Congo as the Ebola outbreak exceeds 1,000 confirmed cases. Meanwhile, Kenya's health minister ordered a halt to construction of a US-run Ebola quarantine facility following court orders and public opposition.
Texas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences has announced a de-extinction project to bring back the bluebuck, an African antelope species that went extinct approximately 226 years ago. The company plans to use genetic technology to resurrect the elegant species that was last seen alive around 1800.
Pope Leo XIV delivered unusually forceful remarks in Cameroon blasting leaders who spend billions on wars, in comments widely seen as directed at US President Trump following their recent public dispute. The Pope urged Cameroon to tackle corruption and called for peace during his four-nation Africa tour.
Pope Leo XIV embarked on the first-ever papal trip to Algeria, calling for forgiveness in a speech paying tribute to victims of the country's war of independence from France. The visit marks the opening of an 11-day, four-nation African tour.
South Africa released a comprehensive draft national AI policy for public comment, proposing new regulatory institutions and incentives to govern AI adoption. The policy represents one of Africa's most detailed AI governance frameworks.