AFRICA

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A Tanzanian magistrate, Shamla Shehagilo, handed a jail sentence to a portrait artist who was accused of burning a photo of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The artist has been sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of $2,000 (£1,600) after being found guilty of cybercrimes.

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The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio organised an event which saw a new law banning child marriage being being signed by the President. 

Invited guests, including first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia, watched as her husband President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law.

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Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of children enduring hunger and malnutrition. This crisis is rooted in a combination of political instability, economic challenges, and natural disasters, which have disrupted food production and distribution. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Darfur region, leading to massive displacement and destruction of livelihoods. As a result, vulnerable populations, especially children, are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

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This week, deadly protests in Kenya and a failed coup in Bolivia have highlighted the dangers posed by faltering economies and harsh austerity measures. Both nations are grappling with severe economic challenges that have ignited widespread unrest and violence.

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Niger's junta has officially confirmed that rebels were responsible for damaging an oil pipeline that carries crude oil to neighboring Benin. The Patriotic Liberation Front, a group fighting for the release of former president Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in a coup last July, claimed responsibility for the attack earlier this week. The incident has raised concerns about the stability of the newly opened 2,000-kilometer (1,243-mile) pipeline, which links Niger's Agadem oilfield to Benin's coast.

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Kenyan President William Ruto condemned protests on Tuesday, which saw parliament stormed and at least five people shot dead, as “treasonous” but did not address the growing outrage over a controversial finance bill that sparked the widespread demonstrations.

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In a surprising turn of events, top comedian-turned-politician Micheal Usi has been sworn in as Malawi's vice-president. The 55-year-old assumed office at a ceremony held in the capital, Lilongwe, following the tragic death of his predecessor, Saulos Chilima, in a plane crash earlier this month. Dr. Usi's acceptance speech was met with a standing ovation, where he expressed a mix of sadness and gratitude for the role. He pledged to honor Chilima's memory and thanked President Lazarus Chakwera for entrusting him with this position in the power-sharing government.