England Women’s cricket team delivered a masterclass performance in their ICC Women’s World Cup opener, thrashing South Africa by 10 wickets in Guwahati. South Africa, opting to bat first, were bowled out for a paltry 69 runs in just 20.4 overs, marking their third-lowest ODI total. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith was the standout performer, claiming 3-7, including the prized wickets of Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, returning to competitive bowling, took 2-5, while spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean chipped in with two wickets each. England’s openers, Amy Jones (40*) and Tammy Beaumont (21*), chased down the target effortlessly in 14.1 overs, showcasing patience and discipline on a tricky pitch. This emphatic win not only boosts England’s confidence but also significantly enhances their net run rate early in the tournament. South Africa’s batting woes were evident as they struggled against England’s spin-heavy attack, managing only six boundaries throughout their innings. The match highlighted England’s strategic brilliance and South Africa’s inability to adapt to the conditions. With this victory, England have sent a strong message to their competitors, positioning themselves as serious contenders for the title.
标签： Africa
非洲
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U.N. food agency to suspend food aid for 750,000 people in Somalia next month
The United Nations food agency has announced a significant reduction in food assistance for hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia, where millions are grappling with the catastrophic effects of climate change and severe hunger. The World Food Program (WFP) revealed that the number of individuals receiving emergency food aid will plummet from 1.1 million in August to just 350,000 by November, citing ‘critical funding shortfalls’ as the primary cause. Ross Smith, the agency’s director of emergency preparedness and response, warned of a ‘dangerous rise in emergency levels of hunger,’ emphasizing that the ability to respond is diminishing daily. ‘Without urgent funding, families already pushed to the edge will be left with nothing at a time when they need it most,’ he stated. Recent U.N. reports indicate that 4.6 million Somalis are experiencing crisis-level hunger, with 1.8 million children projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year. Among these, 421,000 children face severe malnutrition, yet the WFP has only managed to assist approximately 180,000. Somalia’s plight is exacerbated by decades of conflict and insecurity, with the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab controlling several regions. Additionally, U.S. foreign aid cuts have further strained humanitarian agencies already struggling to meet the needs of the vulnerable population. The WFP has urgently requested $98 million to sustain life-saving operations for 800,000 people through the lean season until March 2026.
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Behind the Gen Z protests that forced Madagascar’s president to sack his government
Madagascar is witnessing its largest wave of protests in over 15 years, with thousands taking to the streets across the country. What began as frustration over shortages of basic necessities has rapidly escalated into a significant political crisis for President Andry Rajoelina, who has been in power since 2018. Despite dismissing his government in response to the unrest, Rajoelina has failed to quell the growing dissent. The protests, which have claimed at least 22 lives and injured over 100, according to the UN, have been met with heavy-handed security measures, including tear gas and water cannons. The Malagasy government disputes the UN’s casualty figures, labeling them as ‘rumors and misinformation.’ The unrest was sparked by the arrest of two city politicians on September 19, who had planned a peaceful demonstration over chronic power and water outages. This move was seen as an attempt to stifle legitimate dissent, fueling public outrage. The protests, initially organized by the youth-led movement Gen Z Mada, have since spread to eight cities, with demonstrators demanding political change and Rajoelina’s resignation. Civil society groups, labor unions, and opposition leaders have joined the movement, calling for dialogue to prevent the nation from descending into chaos. Rajoelina has promised World Bank-funded solutions to the power crisis and dialogue with protesters, but his efforts have done little to ease tensions. Analysts warn that reliance on repression could lead to prolonged unrest, political fragmentation, and economic fallout. The situation remains volatile, with curfews imposed in the capital and fears of escalating violence.
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Robert Mugabe’s son appears in court on drug charge
Robert Mugabe Jr, the 33-year-old son of Zimbabwe’s late former President Robert Mugabe, appeared in a Harare court on Thursday, charged with drug possession. The arrest occurred on Wednesday morning when Mugabe Jr was reportedly driving the wrong way down a one-way street. According to court documents, police searched a black sling bag he was carrying and allegedly discovered two small sachets of cannabis. Following the incident, authorities arrested five individuals allegedly linked to a drug syndicate connected to him. Mugabe Jr’s lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, has contested the charges, claiming the drugs were found in a car with three other occupants and amounted to only 0.02 grams of cannabis, contrary to the police report stating 2 grams with a street value of $30. Mugabe Jr, dressed in joggers and a red cap, appeared relaxed as he entered the magistrates court, surrounded by people and without handcuffs. The court remanded him in custody pending a bail ruling on Friday. Police also reported recovering 25 sachets of marijuana and six ecstasy pills from the alleged syndicate members. This is not Mugabe Jr’s first legal issue; in 2023, he was arrested for property damage and assaulting a police officer at a Harare party, though he was later released after an out-of-court settlement. His father, Robert Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe for 37 years before resigning in 2017, passed away in 2019. Despite past tensions between the Mugabe family and current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe Jr has since reconciled with the ruling party, attending a Zanu-PF rally in 2022.
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London court rules Djibouti illegally seized DP World port, $1 billion dispute drags on
In a landmark ruling, the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has declared that the government of Djibouti acted unlawfully when it seized the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) from Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2018. The tribunal confirmed that DP World’s 50-year concession agreement for the port remains valid and binding, while Djibouti owes the company hundreds of millions in damages. This decision marks a significant milestone in a seven-year legal battle that has become one of Africa’s most prominent international investment arbitration cases. The dispute, however, is far from resolved, as DP World’s broader $1 billion claims against the Djibouti government and its Chinese partner, China Merchants Port Holdings, remain active. The LCIA ruled that the 2018 seizure was unlawful, rejecting Djibouti’s claim of having the right to terminate the concession. However, the court declined to award damages against Djibouti’s state-owned Port de Djibouti SA (PDSA), attributing the harm directly to the government. DP World has emphasized that the case underscores the importance of upholding international law and the sanctity of contracts, warning that Djibouti’s defiance of arbitration rulings undermines investor confidence and damages the country’s reputation. The company has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to recover damages and enforce prior awards, highlighting the broader implications of the case for global investors and economic development in Africa.
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Zidane’s son Luca called up to Algeria squad
Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, has been selected to represent Algeria in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has previously played for France at various youth levels but recently opted to switch his international allegiance to Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents.
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Scaffolding collapsed as people climbed to see Ethiopia church mural, eyewitness tells BBC
In the aftermath of a religious festival, the small Ethiopian town of Arerti was plunged into mourning as mass funerals were held for 36 victims who perished in a tragic scaffolding collapse at the St Mariam Church. The incident occurred during the annual Orthodox Christian celebration of St Mariam, where worshippers had gathered in the still-under-construction church. Eyewitnesses reported that a significant number of people climbed onto the makeshift wooden scaffolding to view a newly painted mural on the church ceiling, leading to the structure’s collapse. Among the victims was the mother of 22-year-old Fikre Tilahun, who expressed his profound grief, stating, ‘It’s difficult to lose your mother, very difficult.’ The disaster left about 200 people injured, with some in critical condition being transferred to Addis Ababa for treatment. The local archbishop, Megabi Hadis Nekatibeb, described the event as ‘incredibly tragic and heart-breaking.’ The Ethiopian government extended its condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the importance of safety in construction projects. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of poorly enforced health and safety regulations in Ethiopia, where construction disasters are unfortunately common.
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Namibia and Zimbabwe qualify for 2026 T20 World Cup
Zimbabwe and Namibia have successfully secured their places in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup after advancing to the final of the African qualifying tournament held in Harare. Namibia triumphed over Tanzania by a significant margin of 63 runs in their semi-final clash, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the World Cup finals. Meanwhile, hosts Zimbabwe showcased a dominant performance, defeating Kenya by seven wickets to qualify for the first time since 2022. Kenya, after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, managed to post a total of 122-6, largely due to Rakep Patel’s impressive 65 off 47 balls. However, Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett stole the show with a rapid 51 off just 25 balls, guiding his team to victory with five overs to spare. Namibia and Zimbabwe are set to face off in the tournament final on Saturday, with both teams already looking forward to competing in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Earlier in the day, Namibia overcame a shaky start against Tanzania, recovering from 41-4 to post a formidable 174-6, thanks to a crucial 88-run partnership between captain Gerhard Erasmus (55 off 41) and JJ Smit (61 not out off 43). Smit later contributed with the ball, taking 3-16, while Ben Shikongo recorded figures of 3-21 to restrict Tanzania to 111-8. Namibia, who made their T20 World Cup debut in 2021, had previously exited in the Super 12s and failed to progress beyond the group stage in the 2022 and 2024 editions. The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature twenty nations and is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8.
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Morocco’s youth-led protests demand better schools and hospitals, prime minister resignation
For the sixth consecutive night, youth-led demonstrations swept across Morocco, with protesters demanding improved public services and the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. The unrest, which began peacefully, turned violent on Wednesday when police fatally shot three individuals in Leqliaa, a town near Agadir. Authorities claimed the victims were attempting to seize police weapons, though witnesses have yet to corroborate this account. The protests, organized by the Gen Z 212 movement, have spread to over a dozen cities, including Casablanca, with participants decrying corruption and inadequate funding for schools and hospitals. Despite the government’s pledge to engage in dialogue, tensions remain high as demonstrators contrast the billions spent on World Cup preparations with the dire state of public infrastructure. The recent deaths of eight women in an Agadir hospital have further fueled outrage over the declining health system. As Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations and approaches its 2026 parliamentary elections, the protests highlight deep-seated regional disparities and widespread disillusionment. Over 1,000 arrests have been reported, with human rights groups condemning the use of force. The Gen Z 212 movement has urged peaceful demonstrations, but clashes continue to erupt, particularly in underdeveloped regions. These protests echo similar unrest in countries like Nepal, Kenya, and Madagascar, underscoring a global wave of youth-led activism.
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Tunisians remember the Israeli strike that bound their fate with Palestinians 40 years ago
HAMMAM CHOTT, Tunisia (AP) — Four decades after Israeli warplanes struck the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) headquarters outside Tunis, the memories of the attack remain vivid for Tunisians like Jamel Bahrini, a first responder who witnessed the devastation firsthand. The 1985 airstrike, Israel’s longest-range operation at the time, killed 68 people and injured over 100, leaving an indelible mark on Tunisia’s collective consciousness. Today, as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza intensifies, the 1985 attack serves as a poignant reminder of Tunisia’s enduring solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Bahrini, now 62, recalls the harrowing scene of bodies hanging from trees and blood-soaked rubble, a testament to the brutality of the strike. The attack, codenamed “Operation Wooden Leg” by Israel, was justified as retaliation for the killing of three Israelis in Cyprus, a claim the PLO denied. Tunisians, however, view it as a violation of their sovereignty and a turning point in their connection to the Palestinian struggle. The recent commemoration ceremony in Hammam Chott saw mourners carrying posters linking the 1985 strike to the current conflict in Gaza, with slogans like “From the sea of Tunisia to the sea of Gaza.” The event underscored the deep-rooted anger toward Israel, fueled by recent incidents such as the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Tunisians, along with others across North Africa, have rallied in support of Palestinians, staging protests and boycotts. The 1985 attack, which narrowly missed PLO leader Yasser Arafat, continues to shape perceptions of Israel in Tunisia, raising questions about the long-term impact of its military strategies. As Bahrini aptly put it, “We are not merely a people showcasing solidarity, but we share a common cause.”