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East Africa
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- 1New migrant group arrives in Mallorca, sparking debate▼A new group of illegal migrants has just arrived in Mallorca, Spain. The Spanish government continues to flood the count
A new group of migrants has arrived in Mallorca, Spain, drawing criticism of the Spanish government's handling of arrivals from Africa and the Middle East. Commentators online accuse Madrid of allowing migration flows to continue unchecked, reigniting a wider European debate over border policy and responsibility for managing Mediterranean crossings.
- 2EU allocates €710 million for crises and disasters in Africa▼EU allocates €710 million for crises and disasters, mainly in Africa
The European Union has approved €710 million in funding to respond to crises and disasters, with the largest share directed to African countries. The aid package is intended to support humanitarian relief in regions facing conflict, food insecurity, and natural disasters. The announcement is being picked up by news outlets across the Middle East and Africa, where the assistance will have the most direct impact.
- 3Dangote hires refinery engineers for new Kenya crude plant●Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, has hired the engineers that built his Lagos refinery to work on the new crude p
Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest person, has hired the engineers who built his massive Lagos refinery to work on a new crude processing plant in Kenya. Construction is set to begin this month, marking an expansion of his refining business beyond Nigeria and a potentially significant investment in East Africa's energy infrastructure.
- 4Egypt backs Trump's Gaza plan amid Mediterranean war drill with France, Italy and Greece▼Africa’s most powerful military and Middle East’s strongest back Trump’s Gaza plan after Egypt joins France, Italy and Greece for major Mediterranean war drill
Egypt has endorsed Donald Trump's Gaza plan, with its military — widely ranked as Africa's most powerful — also joining France, Italy and Greece for a major Mediterranean naval exercise. The endorsement adds a key Arab state to supporters of the proposal, and the joint drill with European navies signals deepening security coordination around the eastern Mediterranean at a sensitive moment for Gaza diplomacy.
- 5Kenya and US hold first full-scale joint base defence drill●Kenya and US military test defence of strategic East African base in first full-scale joint drill
Kenyan and US militaries have carried out their first full-scale joint exercise to test the defence of a strategic East African base. The drill, reported by regional outlets, is being framed as a milestone in the two countries' growing security cooperation amid ongoing concerns about extremist threats in the region.
- 6Nigeria seen hitting 5% growth as Kenya faces rate hikes●COMMENT: Nigeria heads for 5% growth as Kenya faces rate hikes, Capital Economics says
Capital Economics forecasts Nigeria's economy growing at around 5%, while Kenya is expected to face further interest rate increases. The contrasting outlook highlights diverging monetary pressures across Africa's major economies, with Nigeria's expansion outpacing Kenya's as East Africa grapples with inflation and tighter policy.
- 7MENA startup funding keeps growing despite regional headwinds▼Startup wrap — Funding momentum continues in MENA despite regional headwinds
Arab News reports that startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa continues to build momentum even as the region faces broader economic and political challenges. The roundup highlights ongoing investor interest in MENA-based startups, with new funding deals signaling resilience in the regional tech ecosystem despite headwinds that might otherwise discourage investment.
- 8
Tanzania and Sudan are meeting in the final of the CECAFA U20 championship, with the match being followed live by a large audience. The clash pits two of East and Central Africa's strongest youth sides against each other for the regional under-20 title, and fans across the region are closely tracking the game as it unfolds.
- 9Malawi face South Sudan in AFCON 2027 qualification●Malawi vs South Sudan | AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2027 QUALIFICATION
Malawi and South Sudan met in an Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualification match, drawing significant attention from football fans across the continent. The fixture is part of the qualifying campaign for the tournament, which will be hosted in East Africa. Supporters of both nations have been following the group stage closely as the teams battle for a place at the finals.