AU - Africanews

1. Iran warns US: choose 'table of diplomacy' or face 'firm blow'

   Iran pushed back Wednesday against U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure tactics ahead of critical nuclear talks in Geneva, with Tehran's parliament speaker warning that negotiations may yield an agreement through "honorable diplomacy".

2. Pope Leo XIV to make historic Africa tour of four nations in April

   Pope Leo XIV will embark on his first major overseas trip of 2026 from April 13-23, visiting Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon—including a historic first-ever papal visit to Muslim-majority Algeria, the Vatican announced Wednesday.

3. Zambia: politician arrested over allegedly faking image of president

   The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretary General Mambwe Zimba of Zambia was arrested on Tuesday, allegedly over a fake image posted on Facebook, depicting the country's president lying in a casket.

4. DR Congo launches drone strikes on M23 at key coltan mine

   DR Congo government forces launched a major attack on the M23 rebel group in the east, using drones to strike a key mining site near Rubaya, North Kivu.

5. Ethiopia revokes media licence of independent outlet Addis Standard

   Ethiopia on Tuesday revoked the licence of independent online outlet Addis Standard saying it harmed national interests, in the latest curb on press freedom. Africa's second most populous nation s ranks 145th out of 180 in the press freedom index compiled by Reporters without Borders.