People in Deir-al-Balah, Gaza, celebrated as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, offering hope to end 15 months of devastating conflict.

The agreement includes the phased release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel, allowing displaced people in Gaza to return to their homes.

Humanitarian aid will also flow unhindered into Gaza. Qatar’s prime minister announced the ceasefire would start on Sunday, following weeks of negotiations in Doha. Details, including the list of released prisoners, are still being finalised and are pending Israeli cabinet approval.

Hundreds of supporters of Mozambique’s opposition protested Wednesday as the country inaugurated a new president following disputed elections and deadly unrest.

Daniel Chapo took his oath as the country’s fifth president before about 2,500 people who endured intense heat in front of a city hall in the capital, Maputo.

Opposition supporters peacefully protested a few meters away after security forces wielding guns and batons blocked them from getting to the venue.

Security forces sealed several roads and kept a heavy presence in other parts of Maputo.

Chapo, a 48-year-old law graduate, acknowledged the need to end the instability rocking the southern African nation.

“Social harmony cannot wait, nor can the building of consensus for the matters that worry the Mozambican people, so dialogue has already began and we will not rest until we have a united and cohesive country,” he said.

The country’s Constitutional Council in December declared Chapo the winner of the presidential election, with 65.17% of the vote, dismissing a challenge by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, whom it said got 24 percent of the vote.

A series of protests and a violent crackdown by security forces following the elections have left at least 300 people, including scores of children, dead, according to local and international human rights organizations.

Mondlane, a 50-year-old pastor, has been leading the push for protests through messages on platforms such as Facebook to demand “restoration of the electoral truth.” Some western countries, including the United States, have also questiond the credibility of the elections.

If confirmed, his contract will shatter Cristiano Ronaldo’s world record deal.

Egyptian football star, Mohamed Salah, has reportedly been offered close to $80 million to tempt him to leave Liverpool for two seasons in Saudia Arabia.

The 32-year-old is in his last season at the English club if he does not sign a new deal with the team.

But the lure of a salary that is reportedly about double the one he makes at Liverpool would be hard to resist.

The forward is one of three footballers believed to be considering leaving The Reds, with the transfer window well underway.

There have reports in several media that Salah is in serious negotiations with Saudi’s Al-Hilal club to secure his transfer to the team.

The expected departure in the summer of Brazil’s Neymar means that the club will have space in their squad to register another overseas player.

There are also reports suggesting Al-Hilal is in talks with Liverpool’s management to purchase the remaining six months of Salah’s contract.

This would enable his transfer during the ongoing winter transfer window.

The UAE and Kenya have entered into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) designed to bolster trade and investment between the two countries.

This paradigm shift marks the UAE’s inaugural bilateral trade agreement with an African nation, showcasing its commitment to diversifying its economy beyond oil dependency.

In the first three quarters of 2024, non-oil trade between the UAE and Kenya soared to $3.1 billion, reflecting a remarkable 29.1% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

This impressive growth highlights the strengthening economic relationship fostered by the CEPA.

Kenya, recognized as one of Africa’s most promising economies, achieved a real GDP growth rate of 5.6% in 2023.

Forecasts suggest an average growth rate of 5.2% from 2024 to 2026.

Key sectors such as services, which contribute 53.6% to Kenya’s GDP, and agriculture, accounting for approximately 25%, offer substantial opportunities for UAE businesses looking to expand in the region.

The CEPA is poised to enhance investment in high-potential areas, including information and communications technology (ICT), banking, tourism, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

This aligns with the UAE’s broader economic strategy, which aims to double the economy’s size to over $800 billion by the decade’s end, with foreign trade as a key pillar.

Additionally, the agreement seeks to eliminate trade barriers across a wide array of goods and services, opening new avenues for importers and exporters in both nations.

Kenyan businesses are expected to capitalize on the UAE’s strategic geographic and logistical advantages to broaden their market access.

This initiative is part of the UAE’s ongoing strategy to strengthen economic relations with African countries, following similar agreements with nations like Mauritius and the Republic of the Congo.

The CEPA with Kenya is expected to further solidify the UAE’s role as a reliable partner and investor in Africa.

Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100% tax on properties bought by non-European Union residents.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the plan this week to tackle housing affordability and high rents in the Southern European nation. He said that the overall goal was to provide “more housing, better regulation and greater aid.”

However, it remains unclear if the plan put forth by Sánchez’s minority coalition will pass in parliament.

Here’s a look at what’s happening:

Spain’s housing affordability crisis

Like most rich countries, Spain is in the throes of a growing housing affordability problem. Skyrocketing rents are particularly acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where incomes have failed to keep up, especially for young people. Housing prices are also steadily rising, especially in cities and coastal areas.

Rental prices have also been driven up by short-term contracts mainly offered for tourists. Spain sees more tourists than almost any country in the world, having received more than 88.5 million visitors in 2024. Tourism is one of the country’s key economic drivers.

The negative aspects of mass tourism have caused tension at times between visitors and residents concerned about rising costs, the proliferation of short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb, and water supplies that can be stretched in some parts of the country, including the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Last year, protesters took to the streets on various occasions across the country to express their frustrations about the growth of tourism and high rents. Barcelona’s town hall has pledged to completely eliminate all short-term rentals to tourists in the coming years.

“What citizens expect from us here is action,” Spanish housing minister Isabel Rodríguez told reporters on Tuesday about the plan.

Curbing foreigners from buying houses in Spain

Spain plans to limit the number of homes foreigners purchase by raising taxes on properties bought by non-European Union residents by up to 100%.

Non-EU residents bought 27,000 properties in Spain in 2023, “not to live in” but “to make money from,” Sánchez said as he announced the plan,

Sánchez didn’t provide a timeline or details on how he plans to implement the tax.

Some of the other measures put forth

Spain plans to build more public housing and allocate around 2 million square meters (21.5 million square feet) of residential land to a newly created public housing agency.

Other proposed measures include higher taxes on holiday rentals, tax breaks and protections for landlords who provide affordable housing, and amending laws to speed up construction processes and expand the availability of land for private construction.

Why is housing politically important in Spain?

The rising cost of living has driven voter discontent across many wealthy countries in recent years, including the United States.

But as one of Europe’s leading Socialist politicians, the housing crunch is a crucial question for Sánchez to resolve as he tries to keep his left-wing minority coalition afloat after winning another four-year term in 2023.

Also, according to the Spanish Constitution, all Spaniards have the right to enjoy a “decent and adequate” home. In theory, at least, the government has a duty to allow citizens to exercise that right.

Demonstrators formed a human chain in front of the Israeli parliament to demand the release of all hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants. Talks between Israel and Hamas, which have been conducted indirectly for over a year, are aimed at exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations have stalled on several points, including the details of the exchange, the duration of the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The families of the Israeli hostages are holding rallies to demand an agreement.

The city of Uvira in South Kivu is facing a severe humanitarian crisis as the waters of Lake Tanganyika continue to rise. The flooding has caused widespread destruction, with over 3,000 homes submerged and more than 36,000 people displaced. Months after the initial flooding began, the situation continues to deteriorate, leaving thousands in desperate need of assistance.

Residents Fear for Their Lives

The flooding has brought new dangers to the community, including increased encounters with hippos. These animals, displaced from their habitats, pose a serious threat to residents.

Furaha Nsimire, a resident of Uvira, explained: “Hippos hide in the water during the day and come out at night. With the rising waters, they can attack humans. Our lives are at risk because of these animals. We can no longer grow crops as they destroy everything.”

The destruction has forced families to abandon their homes and seek refuge in overcrowded shelters or with other families. Entire neighborhoods remain underwater, and there is little hope for an immediate return to normalcy.

Agriculture in Crisis

The rising waters have also devastated local agriculture, a vital source of livelihood for many. Farmers along the lake have seen their crops destroyed by hippos, adding to their struggles.

Kasongo Musimbwa, Environmental Development Supervisor in Bavira Territory, said: “Farmers in Kalungwe and Kamba Makobola are losing their crops to hippos, which are protected animals in DR Congo. They grow cassava and sweet potatoes, but the hippos destroy their fields.”

Unprecedented Changes in the Lake

The rising water levels are unprecedented, reversing decades of retreat by Lake Tanganyika.

Kiza Muhato, Mayor of Uvira, described the phenomenon: “Since 1964, Lake Tanganyika receded by about 150 meters. But between 2023 and 2024, the lake has reclaimed its shores. Areas that were once land, including homes, are now completely submerged.”

The city center and many other neighborhoods are still under water. Reconstruction efforts are daunting, as the displaced population struggles with harsh living conditions and the loss of their property.

A Call for Urgent Action

Uvira’s ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for humanitarian support. The displacement, property destruction, and worsening living conditions demand immediate attention to help affected families and rebuild the community. Without intervention, the challenges posed by Lake Tanganyika’s rising waters will continue to grow.

Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré has banned the use of British and French colonial-style wigs by judges, marking a significant move to decolonise the country’s judicial system.

Announcing the decision, President Traoré stressed the importance of breaking away from colonial traditions and embracing practices that reflect Burkina Faso’s cultural heritage. The ban is part of his broader push to foster national identity and assert the country’s sovereignty.

Colonial-era wigs have long been symbols of foreign influence in African legal systems. Burkina Faso now joins other nations on the continent in discarding such relics in favour of indigenous traditions.

This decision underscores a growing trend across Africa, where countries are revisiting colonial legacies and opting for systems that resonate with their people. It’s a symbolic step that speaks to a larger cultural renaissance sweeping the continent.

Prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a staunch critic of her government, has been released hours after being abducted by armed men in Nairobi, Kenya.

Maria, known for her outspoken advocacy for land rights and freedom of expression, shared an emotional video on X (formerly Twitter), telling her 1.3 million followers, “I have been saved.” Amnesty International Kenya confirmed her abduction on Sunday afternoon, stating she was forcibly taken into a vehicle in the Kenyan capital.

The Law Society of Kenya president, Faith Odhiambo, announced they had intervened to secure her release, warning against using Kenya for such operations: “We will not allow this.” Kenyan and Tanzanian officials remain silent on the incident.

Maria has long accused Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan of reversing democratic progress, citing the crackdown on opposition activists. Last year saw arrests, brutal killings, and fears of a return to repression ahead of the 2025 presidential elections.

Change Tanzania, a movement Maria founded, alleged that Tanzanian agents were behind her abduction, branding it an attempt to silence her criticism.

This is not Kenya’s first entanglement in cross-border abductions. Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was kidnapped in Nairobi last year and extradited under murky circumstances, while domestically, over 80 people have reportedly disappeared following anti-tax protests.

Calls are growing for accountability as rights groups, and officials, like Kenya’s Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, criticize the government’s failure to tackle the alarming trend of enforced disappearances.

British heavyweight Tyson Fury has retired from boxing again one month after losing a rematch with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

The 36-year-old Fury announced the decision in a short video posted on his Instagram account on Monday, which included a cryptic message.

“Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet. I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing,” Fury said. “It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side.”

It was unclear why Fury made a reference to Turpin, a famed 18th century English highway robber and horse thief.

Fury was upset with the unanimous decision when he lost the Dec. 21 rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia. However, Usyk landed 179 of 423 punches thrown (42%), while Fury landed 144 of his 509 punches, a 28% clip.