African Arty Beats: Celebrating the Week's Standout Arts and Culture Stories

Here's this week's segment of the African Arty Beats.

World Blood Donor Day Highlights Urgent Need for Safe Blood Across Africa

Welcome to the Friday edition of The Discourse. And this morning we turn our attention to World Blood Donor Day, which will be marked on Sunday, 14 June 2026, highlighting the vital role of voluntary blood donors in saving lives around the world. The World Health Organization says safe and sufficie…

Kenya Secures Landmark UN Climate Funding to Support Communities Hit by Disasters

Kenya has become the first African country to secure landmark climate disaster funding. The 700, 000 dollars in funding comes from the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, a Switzerland-based United Nations mechanism funded by voluntary contributions from developed countries and the international c…

First Repatriated Nigerians Return Home as South Africa Intensifies Immigration Crackdown

The first group of Nigerian nationals who have been repatriated from South Africa have arrived home yesterday afternoon, a flight landed in Nigeria carrying 270 citizens who wanted to be repatriated from South Africa. The second flight is scheduled for Monday. This after weeks of protests in South …

Africa Roundup: Key Continental and Global Developments Shaping the Day Ahead

Time now for our daily Africa Roundup. Each morning, just after the six o'clock news, we bring you a concise update on the key developments shaping the continent and the world over the past 24 hours. With insights from our team of journalists, analysts, and newsmakers, we place the day's biggest st…

Amnesty Report Raises Concerns Over Gaza Destruction, Urges Ceasefire Efforts

INTRO: Amnesty International South Africa released a report on the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestine. In its findings, the organisation raises serious concerns - alleging that Israel's actions in the region may amount to ethnic cleansing. The report highlights widespread destruction, noting that thous…

Mpumalanga Groups Demand Faster Action on Highveld Air Pollution Crisis

Civil society organisations in South Africa's Highveld region of Mpumalanga Province have raised concerns over slow government action on air pollution, despite several court rulings in their favour. They say little progress has been made since the area was declared a high-priority zone under the Na…

WFP Warns Funding Cuts and Middle East Conflict Are Driving Global Hunger Crisis

The acting head of the World Food Programme says they are experiencing historic drops in funding with a 40% drop year to year, creating a perfect storm with already record levels of hunger around the world, further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The U.N. Agency that provide…

Gauteng Police Pursue Leads as Cleveland Mass Shooting Death Toll Stands at 12

Police Commissioner in South Africa's Gauteng Province, Tommy Mthombeni, says investigators are making progress in tracking down those responsible for a mass shooting at the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg. Twelve people were killed when gunmen reportedly opened fire …

UN Marks Disability Rights Milestone as Access, Inclusion and Recognition Improve Globally

The United Nations has marked a major milestone in the global fight for disability rights, as Secretary-General António Guterres says millions of people with disabilities have seen improved access, recognition and respect over the past two decades. Speaking at the 2026 Conference of States Parties …