South Africa: Heat Wave Event Breaks Temperature Records

[SAnews.gov.za] The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that several weather stations across the Namakwa District and the Western Cape have officially broken their long-standing maximum temperature records for March. Source

Kenya: High Court Orders Release of Man Detained Over Currency Mutilation Allegation

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The High Court of Kenya in Kisumu has ordered the immediate release of a man who had been detained over allegations of mutilating currency notes, ruling that his continued detention violated constitutional provisions. Source

Somalia: Israel Weighs Military Base in Somaliland to Counter Yemen's Houthis - Report

[Shabelle] Berbera -- Israel is studying the possibility of establishing a military and intelligence base on the coast of Somaliland as part of efforts to counter attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to a report by Bloomberg. Source

Kenya: IEBC Begins Interviews for 12,000 Temporary Voter Registration Jobs

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has begun interviewing candidates for more than 12,000 temporary positions linked to the upcoming Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise. Source

Botswana: North West District Records 448 Diarrhea Cases

[Botswana Daily News] Maun -- Due to continuous heavy downpours across the country, the North West district is experiencing a spike in waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and malaria. Source

Gambia: President Barrow Holds Phone Conversation With Leaders of Kuwait UAE and Jordan

[The Point] Press Release Source

Kenya: French Investors Eye Kenya's Digital, Creative Economy

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- French investors are increasingly targeting Kenya's digital economy and creative industries as the two countries deepen trade ties. Source

East Africa: Rubio, Abiy Discuss Horn Security Amid Regional Tensions

[Horn Diplomat] U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to discuss regional security and cooperation in the Horn of Africa, the U.S. State Department said. Source

Africa: Sub-Saharan African Economies Among World's Fastest-Improving in Global Connectedness

[Premium Times] Based on more than 9 million data points tracking international flows of trade, capital, information, and people, the report offers the most comprehensive view of globalisation available. Source

Liberia: Sorlumba Border Secured After Standoff As Liberian Police Restore Calm, Urge Residents to Stand Down

[Liberian Investigator] FOYA -- Security forces of the Liberian National Police say they have secured the Sorlumba border area in Foya District following a tense standoff Wednesday that raised fears of a potential confrontation along the Liberia-Guinea boundary. Source

Nigeria: NNPC Cuts Petrol Price By N100 in Lagos, N95 in Abuja

[Daily Trust] The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets to N1,130 per litre in Lagos and N1,165 per litre in Abuja. Source

Somalia: Former Somali President Condemns Arrest of Tuk-Tuk Drivers in Mogadishu

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed condemned the arrest of tuk-tuk drivers in the Somali capital, saying they had been peacefully protesting rising living costs. Source