Amanda Gorman “screamed and danced her head off” when she found out she had been chosen to read one of her poems at Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony. At the age of 22, the Los Angeles-born writer and performer is the youngest poet to perform at a presidential inauguration. She told the BBC’s World Service she felt “excitement, joy, honour and humility” …

Prominent South African politician Jackson Mthembu has died of Covid-related complications, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced. Mr Mthembu, who since 2019 had been serving as the minister in the presidency, was a parliamentarian and long-serving member of the governing African National Congress (ANC). He had worked his way up the ranks over many years and has been described as a …

Africa over the years has been known for its leaders who refuse to leave power even when it is glaring that they were no longer needed. Some of them hold on to power attributing it to the desire of citizens who still want them to continue to serve. Many of these leaders oversee elections considered by analysts as not free …

Five people have been killed following a fire outbreak at the site of the world’s largest vaccine producer in western India. The blaze started at a building that was still under construction at the Serum Institute of India’s facilities in Pune on Thursday afternoon. Footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from a building on the company’s sprawling site. The …

After vowing to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, Joe Biden has officially been sworn in as US president. His oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. Giving his inaugural address, President Biden said “This is America’s Day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. “Through a crucible for the …

Nigerian artist Burna Boy will feature on the official playlist for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.The award-winning singer’s song ‘Destiny’ will be played alongside other international artists such as Dua Lipa, Tame Impala, and Kygo. The playlist was curated by American actress Issa Rae’s record label Raedio and Derrick Jones, better known by his stage name as DJ D-Nice.American artists included on the playlist include Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, and Kendrick …

All eyes will be on America later today as President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, alongside Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Nick Ferrari and Nicola Thorp look ahead to what we can expect from today’s events. Biden’s first act: Orders on pandemic, climate and immigration In his first official acts as US president, …

Uganda’s long-time President Yoweri Museveni has been re-elected, electoral officials say, amid accusations of vote-rigging by his main rival Bobi Wine. Mr. Museveni won almost 59% of the vote, with Mr. Wine trailing with about 35%, the Electoral Commission said. Mr. Wine, a former pop star, earlier vowed to provide evidence of fraud. The Electoral Commission denies there was vote-rigging …

Gambia has recorded its first two cases of the highly infectious coronavirus variant first found in Britain, its health authorities said on Thursday, in what appears to be the first confirmation of its presence in Africa. The cases could hamper the former British colony’s efforts to contain a surge in infection rates to near-record levels. It has so far recorded …

Over 10,000 people have been arrested by the Zimbabwean police for failing to wear face masks in public. Some 16,000 others have also been arrested for flouting lockdown restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus. Reports say most of the offenders have been ordered to pay an admission of guilt fine. The country imposed a lockdown after Covid -19 …