Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Saudi Arabia executed five Ethiopian migrants on 27 July 2026 for non-lethal drug-related offences following proceedings that lacked due process. The rights group says at least 17 Ethiopian nationals have been executed on similar charges since the start of the year, while at least 79 others remain at imminent risk of execution.

HRW has called on governments to urgently pressure Saudi authorities under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to halt the executions and commute the sentences of those facing the death penalty. 

Unathi Batyashe spoke to Joey Shea, senior Saudi Arabia researcher at HRW.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Saudi Arabia executed five Ethiopian migrants on 27 July 2026 for non-lethal drug-related offences following proceedings that lacked due process.&nbsp;The rights group says at least 17 Ethiopian nationals have been executed on similar charges since the start of the year, while at least 79 others remain at imminent risk of execution.
HRW has called on governments to urgently pressure Saudi authorities under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to halt the executions and commute the sentences of those facing the death penalty.&nbsp;
Unathi Batyashe spoke to Joey Shea, senior Saudi Arabia researcher at HRW.

Fast-paced news and current affairs updates, dealing with topical issues & breaking stories.

Fast-paced news and current affairs updates, dealing with topical issues &amp; breaking stories.

Africa Update

At least 79 others remain at imminent risk of execution in Saudi Arabia: HRW

Kenya Power says it has restored power to several parts of the country after a nationwide outage disrupted supply on Thursday.

The power utility says electricity will be restored to the remaining affected areas in Nairobi and the coastal region as restoration efforts continue. The East African nation last experienced major power blackouts in September and December 2024.

 Unathi Batyashe spoke to Channel Africa's Correspondent in Kenya, Alex Kiarie.

Kenya Power says it has restored power to several parts of the country after a nationwide outage disrupted supply on Thursday.
The power utility says electricity will be restored to the remaining affected areas in Nairobi and the coastal region as restoration efforts continue. The East African nation last experienced major power blackouts in September and December 2024.
&nbsp;Unathi Batyashe spoke to Channel Africa's Correspondent in Kenya, Alex Kiarie.

Kenya Power restores electricity to several parts of the country after a nationwide outage 

The South African (SA) Department of Transport and Human Settlements has reported snowfall in the Eastern Cape and parts of KwaZulu-Natal province as well as in Lesotho. This has resulted in a significant drop in temperatures across the affected areas. The cold conditions are expected to persist over the coming days.

The Department says graders are on standby to clear snow before it accumulates to dangerous levels in an effort to prevent a repeat of the unprecedented September 2024 snowstorm, when motorists were stranded for days along the roads.

Unathi Batyashe spoke to Meteorologist and Weather Forecaster at the South African Weather Service, Lehlohonolo Thobela.

The South African (SA) Department of Transport and Human Settlements has reported snowfall in the Eastern Cape and parts of KwaZulu-Natal province as well as in Lesotho. This has resulted in a significant drop in temperatures across the affected areas. The cold conditions are expected to persist over the coming days.
The Department says graders are on standby to clear snow before it accumulates to dangerous levels in an effort to prevent a repeat of the unprecedented September 2024 snowstorm, when motorists were stranded for days along the roads.
Unathi Batyashe spoke to Meteorologist and Weather Forecaster at the South African Weather Service, Lehlohonolo Thobela.

Snowfall reported in some parts of SA and Lesotho 

The United Nations' International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has raised the alarm over human trafficking being used to fuel online scams.

The warning comes ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on 30 July. The IOM is concerned about the rapid expansion of a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that exploits job seekers and forces victims into cybercrime.

Thuto Ngobeni has the report.

The United Nations' International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has raised the alarm over human trafficking being used to fuel online scams.
The warning comes ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on 30 July. The IOM is concerned about the rapid expansion of a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that exploits job seekers and forces victims into cybercrime.
Thuto Ngobeni has the report.

At least 79 others remain at imminent risk of execution in Saudi Arabia: HRW

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