First Independent Mena Newspaper
The staging of the first round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) across six Moroccan cities shows a “clear step up in the event’s standards,” according to the French channel RMC Sport. In its review following the first-round matches, the French media outlet highlights modern stadiums, the quality of the pitches, spectator access, […]
More than 40 hospitals and 244 health Centers have resumed operations in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, following extensive damage sustained during the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The update was issued on Wednesday (31 December 2025). The network reported that the reopened facilities […]
Sudan’s Cabinet approved on 30 December an emergency draft budget for the 2026 fiscal year, projecting 9% economic growth despite the ongoing conflict since 15 April 2023. The budget was endorsed during a session in Port Sudan, chaired by Prime Minister Kamil Idris, who described the plan as exceptional under the prevailing circumstances. The fiscal […]
The African Union (AU) has rejected the recent Israeli recognition of the breakaway northern Somali territory of Somaliland, saying it defends the territorial integrity of its member states. Yet, the same AU continues to carry the baggage of an earlier era with the anomalous admission of the Algeria backed Polisario/SADR, an armed separatist movement lacking […]
Egypt’s National Railways (ENR) has operated its 43rd special train to support the voluntary return of Sudanese nationals displaced by the conflict in Sudan. The service departed Cairo, on December 29, carrying 1,028 passengers, largely families, bound for Aswan, a principal transit hub for cross-border returns. The train was scheduled to arrive in Aswan at […]
Russia’s Federal Agency for Fisheries and Ocean Science announced the beginning of applications for fishing quotas in Morocco’s Atlantic waters, under the bilateral fisheries agreement signed on October 17, 2025 between the two governments. According to the official notice, Russian fishing companies can submit requests between January 12 and January 30, 2026 for quotas covering […]
The United Kingdom government has imposed visa restrictions on arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Kinshasa failed to agree to measures enabling the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Under the move, fast-track visa processing for Congolese nationals will end, while preferential access for VIPs and politicians has been withdrawn, […]
Three people, including a one-year-old child, were killed when a building collapsed in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg, in the early hours of Sunday, December 28. The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (JEMS) reported receiving an emergency call shortly after 3:00 a.m. local time (0100 GMT). Six people were inside the structure at the time; three […]
The Moroccan national football team sealed its qualification for the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after its commanding performance in Group A match against Zambia played on Monday evening at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The Atlas Lions defeated Zambia 3-0, finishing the group stage at the top of […]
More than 10,000 people have been displaced from North Darfur and South Kordofan within three days following a renewed surge in violence, according to the UN migration agency. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday, December 28, that over 7,000 residents fled the towns of Kernoi and Oum Barou in North Darfur between […]