South Africa
Three people have died due to a hantavirus outbreak on the vessel MV Hondius. The WHO is in contact with officials from at least 12 countries monitoring citizens who have returned home; five Ukrainians are on board.
Three people have died due to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. The WHO has confirmed five cases of infection but does not expect a large-scale epidemic.
Three people have died on board the MV Hondius due to a hantavirus outbreak. Five Ukrainians are among the crew, and the liner is currently en route to Spain.
Canary Islands authorities ban the entry of the MV Hondius cruise ship due to a hantavirus outbreak. South Africa reports two cases of the Andes hantavirus strain, which is transmitted from person to person, linked to the vessel. One passenger has died, and another is hospitalized.
Three people have died from hantavirus on a Dutch liner. The WHO states there is a low risk to the general public and no need for restrictions.
Ukraine ranked 55th in the press freedom index, overtaking the United States. The global level of media freedom has dropped to a 25-year historical low.
Pedro Sanchez and Lula da Silva concluded agreements on resources and AI. The leaders aim to reform the UN and limit US influence amid international tensions.
Rallies for and against war with Iran took place in Tel Aviv, Paris, and other cities. Protesters called for an end to the war machine and regime change.
Russia promises Africans jobs, but confiscates their documents and sends them to the front. Recruitment through games and fraud has been recorded in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and South Africa.
France canceled Cyril Ramaphosa's invitation to the G7 summit due to US threats to boycott the event. Paris denies Trump's pressure and explains the decision by logistics.
The International Olympic Committee has restricted the women's category to biological women based on the SRY gene test. The new rules will be in effect starting from the 2028 Olympic Games.
The Iranian Embassy in Ukraine invited Ukrainians to express their sorrow for the deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by opening a book of condolences on March 4-6, 2026. Ukraine's Ambassador to South Africa, Oleksandr Shcherba, condemned this initiative, recalling Iran's responsibility for assisting the Russians and the deaths of Ukrainians.
Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank off the coast of Sri Lanka. 32 people were rescued, one is in critical condition.
The government of Ghana is initiating a dialogue with Moscow to stop the recruitment of its citizens for the war. Since the beginning of the invasion, at least 55 Ghanaians, deceived into joining the Russian army, have died.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports that Russia is increasing its influence in Africa, combining humanitarian initiatives with covert military recruitment. By the end of 2025, over 1.4 thousand citizens from 36 African states will be fighting on Moscow's side.
Four South Africans, deceptively recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, have been repatriated. They were recruited by the daughter of a former South African president, who promised them jobs as security guards.
Donald Trump has threatened to sue comedian Trevor Noah over a joke about him and Jeffrey Epstein at the Grammy Awards. Trump denies visiting Epstein's island and claims the accusations against him are unfounded.
A group of plaintiffs has filed a lawsuit in a US court against Meta Platforms, accusing the company of making false statements regarding the privacy and security of messages on WhatsApp. The plaintiffs claim that Meta has access to users' "private" messages.
In South Africa, a collision between a school minibus and a truck resulted in the deaths of at least 13 children. The accident occurred in Gauteng province when the minibus attempted to overtake other vehicles.
Southern Africa is suffering from catastrophic rains and floods that have affected seven countries. In Mozambique, 103 people have died, in Zimbabwe – 70, in South Africa – 30, where the army is rescuing people from rooftops.
Kruger National Park in South Africa has been temporarily closed to visitors due to persistent rains and overflowing rivers. The administration evacuated staff and guests and closed several gates, cutting off access to the northern part of the park.
Multinational exercises "Will to Peace 2026" have commenced in South African territorial waters, involving warships from Russia, China, and Iran. The event aims to practice aspects of maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping.
Russia is using the online game ARMA3 and the Discord app to recruit South Africans for the war against Ukraine. Two men in their 20s left South Africa, one of whom was killed in battle in Luhansk Oblast.
The US special operation in Caracas and the detention of Nicolás Maduro caused a resonant reaction from world leaders. The international community was divided in its assessment of the legality of Washington's actions, from full support to harsh condemnation.
The European Union plans to impose a 20th package of sanctions against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Measures will include travel restrictions, asset freezes, and sanctions in the energy and banking sectors.
In South Africa, at least 41 young men died in November and December as a result of circumcision procedures during traditional initiation rituals. Minister of Traditional Affairs Velencosini Hlabisa blamed the negligence of schools and parents.
At least nine people have died and ten others were injured in a mass shooting at a tavern near Johannesburg. South African police are searching for about 12 suspects who opened fire on patrons.
Lioness Vasylina, rescued from Kharkiv region, died in a rehabilitation center in South Africa. She did not wake up, showing no signs of illness, after being evacuated and living with lion Nikola.
The Russian Embassy in Iran stated that letters offering to recruit Iranians for the war in Ukraine are being sent by malicious actors. The advertisement promises $20,000 for signing a contract and a monthly salary of $2,000.
South African state broadcaster presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, accused of recruiting citizens to fight for Russia, has been released on bail along with four co-accused. The court rejected her request for the return of her passport, as she had repeatedly visited Russia.