AU - Africanews

1. New mega-bridge in Lesotho to double water exports to South Africa

   Every time someone in Johannesburg drinks a glass of water, there is a 60% chance it comes from neighbouring Lesotho. Now, a newly built bridge will help the tiny mountain kingdom nearly double those exports.

2. Pope Leo departs Equatorial Guinea after wrapping up his 11-day trip to Africa

   Pope Leo XIV on Thursday held an open-air mass in Equatorial Guinea in front of tens of thousands of followers, wrapping up his first major international tour that began with harsh criticism of his stance on Iran from US President Donald Trump.

3. South Africa court halts return of ex-Zambian president's remains, again

   A South African court has blocked the repatriation of the remains of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu, halting fresh plans for a state funeral and deepening a dispute that has dragged on for nearly 10 months.

4. Abidjan’s young people wage war on trash

   In a working-class neighbourhood of Abidjan, a small group of young volunteers armed with shovels and rakes is scrubbing rubbish-clogged drains. Their message: “Our streets are not rubbish bins.”

5. Finance body says Africa faces an 86 million tonne fuel shortfall by 2040

   The Africa Finance Corporation says this highlights the continent's vulnerability to global shipping chokepoints.