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World · August 2026

Kenya Shut Its Soda Ash Mine. Tanzania Is Selling the Replacement

Tanzania has opened the Engaruka soda ash project to investors with a September deadline, days after Kenya suspended Tata Chemicals Magadi over royalties. The post Kenya Shut Its Soda Ash Mine.

  • Tanzania invites investors for Engaruka soda ash plant
  • Kenya suspends Tata Chemicals Magadi operations since July 2026
  • Tanzania expected to produce 500,000 tonnes annually

Drones Hit Libya’s Biggest Working Refinery as Oil Output Nears a 13-Year High

At least five drone strikes hit Libya's Zawiya oil complex, collapsing a petrol tank and prompting the state oil company to warn it may declare force majeure.

  • At least five drone strikes targeted Libya's Zawiya refinery between 9-11 August 2026.
  • One drone hit tank T402 at Brega depot, causing it to burst into flames and collapse.
  • Zawiya is Libya's largest operating refinery, processing 120,000 barrels a day.

Ghana Has Lost 8,900 Hectares of Forest to Illegal Mining

Forestry Commission satellite data show about 8,900 hectares of Ghana's forest reserves affected by illegal mining, as Cabinet moves to cut mining leases to 20 years.

  • Ghana lost 8,900 hectares of forest to illegal mining in 2024.
  • This is a 70% increase from 5,253 hectares in 2021.
  • Enforcement efforts seized 234 excavators and 258 individuals.

West Africa Wants to Stop Pricing Its Petrol Off Europe

Nigeria's downstream regulator has made the case for a West African refined-fuel price benchmark, though no agreement was signed and no timetable was given.

  • West Africa aims to set its own fuel price benchmark, not tied to Europe.
  • Nigeria's regulatory body presented this idea at an Abuja conference on 11 August.
  • Platts provides price assessments for West African fuels in naira and dollars.

S. Korea's Lee Seeks Future-Oriented Ties with Japan

Seoul, Aug. 15 (Jiji Press)--South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed his intention to develop a future-oriented relationship with Japan in his speech at a ceremony in Seoul on Saturday to mark…

  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung seeks future-oriented ties with Japan.
  • Speech marks 81st anniversary of Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japanese rule.
  • President emphasizes trust through empathy and shared interests.
Russian Drone Kills Baby in Marhanets High-Rise

Russian Drone Kills Baby in Marhanets High-Rise

Early Saturday morning, Aug. 15, Russian forces launched a drone attack on a high-rise residential building in Marhanets, Dnipropetrovsk region. The strike killed a three-month-old boy and injured 11 people, with seven hospitalized in critical condition.

DCP team to honour late Elburgon activist Richard Otieno during Nakuru County tour

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) team led by party leader Rigathi Gachagua will make a stopover in Elburgon to honour the late activist Richard Raymond Otieno, who was murdered in 2025 and…

  • DCP team to honor late activist Richard Otieno in Elburgon on August 15, 2026.
  • Otieno, known as Molo President, was murdered on January 18, 2025.
  • Otieno's death sparked protests and led to arrests of suspects.

Deity-inscribed tombstones, sarcophagi unearthed at ancient Egyptian burial site

The appearance of the two dieties on the tombstones points to joint Greek and Roman influence on ancient Egyptian heritage and funerary practices.

  • 20 limestone tombstones with religious symbols unearthed at Tell El Deir site
  • Sarcophagi and funerary amulets found, indicating integrated funerary center
  • Site reveals Late Period to Roman era burial customs in Nile Delta

PM Takaichi Omits "Remorse" from War Anniversary Address

Tokyo, Aug. 15 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not use the word "remorse" in her speech at an annual war memorial ceremony in Tokyo on Saturday, the 81st anniversary of the…

  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi left "remorse" out of her speech
  • She replaced "remorse" with "Japan will never allow the horrors of war to be repeated"
  • Takaichi avoided discussing Japan's wartime aggression against Asian nations

Oil inches toward $90 on tanker attacks, lack of progress in Iran war peace deal

Crude oil futures experienced an upward trend on Friday due to disruptions from tanker attacks and the stagnation of peace talks.

  • Brent crude nears $90 per barrel amid tanker attacks and Iran-Iraq peace deal stalemate
  • Tanker attacks, especially on Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessels, drive oil price surge
  • OPEC forecasts weaker demand growth and increased U.S. crude inventories may lower prices
Powerful quake off Indonesia kills 20, sparks mass evacuations

Powerful quake off Indonesia kills 20, sparks mass evacuations

Rescuers combed through debris for survivors on Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia, killing at least 20 people and sending thousands fleeing. As the full scale of the disaster unfolded, rescue official Fathur Rahman told AFP at least 20 people were confirmed dead from four different towns on…

The brain may be about to have its Ozempic moment

The brain may be about to have its Ozempic moment newspress_en Sat, 08/15/2026 - 05:58 Science & Technology One Peptide has recently transformed medicine.

  • GLP-1 hormone revolutionized diabetes treatment and weight loss.
  • Orexins, brain neurotransmitters, regulate wakefulness.
  • Orexin drugs could treat depression, ADHD, and addiction.
Kim Koo: Are you watching?

Kim Koo: Are you watching?

There is a photograph familiar to anyone who studies the Korean independence movement. It shows an elderly man in round spectacles and hanbok, or traditional Korean clothes, his face almost scholarly…

Two-Horse Race: Adeleke, Oyebamiji in Fierce Battle for Osun Governorship

*Tinubu to INEC, security agencies: Ensure peaceful, transparent election *PDP, APM candidates step down for Adeleke*Police announce 42-hour movement restriction*Let ballot, not violence decide, IPCR…

  • Fierce battle for Osun governorship between Adeleke and Oyebamiji
  • 42-hour movement restriction imposed for peaceful election
  • 81.50% of registered voters in Osun have submitted PVCs

MOF: RM1.2b STR Phase Three payments begin for 5.3 million recipients

PAYMENTS under Phase Three of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) will begin today (Aug 15), with 5.3 million recipients set to receive assistance under the Government’s efforts to ease the financial…

  • RM1.2 billion allocated for third STR phase, benefiting 5.3 million recipients
  • Payments start August 15, 2026, ranging from RM150 to RM600
  • 3.9 million low/low-middle income households and 1.4 million senior citizens receive aid

Enugu Police Bust Criminal Syndicates, Arrest 14 Kidnap Suspects

*Recover 5 AK-47 Riffles, 2 pump action rifles, ammunition Gideon Arinze in Enugu The Enugu State Police Command has arrested and paraded 14 kidnap suspects involved in various kidnap operations

  • Enugu Police arrest 14 suspects in kidnapping operations.
  • Suspects linked to St. Joseph's Church kidnapping flee to Port Harcourt.
  • Firearms, ammunition, and criminal proceeds recovered.

Our Death Certificate Problem

We grew up hearing these stories. Scandalous tales about how a new family or children emerge after a man dies suddenly. Bastard children? Ah! That one plenty! A hidden wife and kids in another state?

  • Fake death certificate shocked Nigerian family
  • Death certificates crucial for legal, administrative processes
  • Nigeria's weak death-registration system leaves most deaths unregistered

2027 Election Gets Murky, Atiku Goes to Court, Seeks to Stop Tinubu from Contesting

·Personally deposes to affidavit, asks INEC to produce Tinubu’s CF001 records Chuks Okocha in Abuja The 2027 presidential contest has taken a contentious turn, with former Vice President and…

  • Atiku Abubakar sues to block Tinubu from 2027 presidential race.
  • Challenges Tinubu's qualification under constitutional provision.
  • Claims Tinubu submitted forged NYSC certificate in lawsuit.
Floods cause learning crisis in Chitral

Floods cause learning crisis in Chitral

Students cross a makeshift bridge over a stream in Yarkhoon valley, Upper Chitral. — Dawn CHITRAL: Education of hundreds of schoolchildren across Chitral valley has been severely disrupted following a…

First Lady: I Remain Committed To Giving Errant Girls Second Chance At Formal Education

.Inaugurates renovated alternative high school for girls in Agboju, Lagos Deji Elumoye in Abuja Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu Tinubu, has expressed her renewed commitment towards…

  • First Lady Oluremi Tinubu committed to giving errant girls second chance at formal education.
  • Renovated Alternative High School for Girls inaugurated in Agboju, Lagos.
  • Goal to establish one school in each of Lagos State's three senatorial districts.

'We may lose battles, but we will win the war’: Fuziah urges PKR to keep fighting

PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh has called on party members to remain undaunted by failure and setbacks, urging them to rise again and continue defending their ideals in the pursuit of a…

  • PKR Secretary-General Fuziah Salleh urges party members to persevere despite setbacks.
  • She compares challenges to a Malay proverb about leaning on remaining resources.
  • Fuziah emphasizes setbacks are part of the struggle, not its end.

Court Restrains Imo Govt, Police, Others from Blocking Ugochinyere’s Rallies, Meetings

Alex Enumah in Abuja A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has restrained the Imo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and the Chairmen of

  • Imo State Govt, police restrained from blocking Ugochinyere’s activities
  • Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere’s civic and political rights protected
  • Injunction issued until November 4 for further hearing

2027: FG Calls on Youths to Participate in Electoral Process

Linus Aleke in Abuja The federal government has called on youths to participate actively in the Nigerian electoral process with a view to driving the economic growth and development agenda they

  • Federal government urges Nigerian youths to participate in 2027 elections
  • Challenges include declining trust, voter apathy, misinformation, and electoral violence
  • Emphasis on reinvigorating citizens' confidence in democratic process

Fever fans cheer Stephanie White as Caitlin Clark and Indiana continue surge after recent tumult

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Stephanie White was greeted by cheers instead of boos. And the Indiana Fever and their fans had plenty of reasons to be happy before the night was over.…

  • Indianapolis Fever coach Stephanie White received fan cheers after recent criticism.
  • Caitlin Clark scored 29 points and dished out 10 assists in Fever's 98-87 win.
  • Victory came after White faced backlash for controversial foul call against DiJonai Carrington.
Rescue 1122 gets 35 modern fire tenders to meet emergency

Rescue 1122 gets 35 modern fire tenders to meet emergency

KARACHI: The Sindh government has handed over 35 modern fire tenders to Rescue 1122 in a ceremony aimed at strengthening fire and emergency response across the province. The vehicles, purchased by the local government department, will be distributed in phases to municipal corporations and union committees in different districts of the…