Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

Italy

Italy — national football team that failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina, marking the nation's third consecutive World Cup absence.

World & Region

Pope begins African tour amid Trump criticism over Iran

The News

Pope Leo XIV has begun a landmark visit to Algeria, the first papal visit to the Muslim-majority nation, amid public criticism from US President Donald Trump over the pontiff's calls for an end to violence in the Iran war. The two-day Algerian visit launches a broader African tour covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea from 13 to 23 April, with the pope framing the trip as an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation between Christian and Muslim worlds.

14 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Pope begins African tour amid Trump criticism over Iran

    Pope Leo XIV has begun a landmark visit to Algeria, the first papal visit to the Muslim-majority nation, amid public criticism from US President Donald Trump over the pontiff's calls for an end to violence in the Iran war. The two-day Algerian visit launches a broader African tour covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea from 13 to 23 April, with the pope framing the trip as an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation between Christian and Muslim worlds.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 12 April

  1. AC Milan's Serie A title hopes ended by Udinese shock loss

    AC Milan lost 3-0 at home to Udinese on Saturday, falling nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan with six matches remaining. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri warned that the club's Champions League qualification is now under threat after losing three of four recent matches.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Italy PM urges EU to suspend spending rules amid Iran crisis

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the European Union should consider temporarily suspending its strict spending rules if the Iran war and resulting energy shock worsens. Brussels cautioned that such a suspension is only possible if the EU experiences a severe economic crisis, which it said is not currently the case.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Djibouti's 27-year leader Guelleh expected to win sixth term

    Ismail Omar Guelleh, who has ruled Djibouti since 1999, is poised to extend his control of the strategically important Horn of Africa nation in a presidential election widely dismissed as uncompetitive, with the opposition divided and a human rights monitor calling it a "masquerade."

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

  1. NATO's cohesion weakens as US shifts priorities to China

    According to a Higher School of Economics analysis, NATO is experiencing structural fractures as the US under Trump repositions from European leadership to a demanding hegemon role focused on China containment, while questioning allies' territorial integrity and reducing Ukraine support. European members now doubt the credibility of US nuclear guarantees and seek alternatives, though a unified European defence remains politically unrealistic, suggesting the alliance will persist but with reduced cohesion and interest-driven rather than collective cooperation.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Bosnia beats Italy in World Cup qualifying penalty shootout

    Bosnia defeated Italy 4-1 in a penalty shootout to qualify for their second World Cup, sparking celebrations across the country with thousands gathering in stadiums and streets waving flags and singing.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Namibia wins multiple medals at South African archery nationals

    Team Namibia competed at the 76th South African Outdoor Target Archery Nationals in Johannesburg from 27–29 March with nine archers across multiple divisions, securing several podium finishes including silver medals for Lutz Wahlers, Jannie Meuwesen, Jacqueline Coetzee, and Ilana Malan, and a bronze for Bianca Karsten. Louan Groenewald set a new Namibian national record in the Compound Men 50+ division with a score of 696 out of 720.

    1 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Israel plans permanent control of southern Lebanon buffer zone

    Israel's defence minister announced that after the war with Hezbollah ends, Israel will maintain military control over a swath of southern Lebanon extending to the Litani River, and will demolish houses in border villages. Lebanon's government and international critics including the UN, Canada, and European nations have condemned the plan as an illegal occupation and collective punishment.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Italy misses third straight World Cup after Bosnia shootout loss

    Italy fell to Bosnia and Hercegovina 4-1 on penalties in a World Cup qualification play-off, with the Azzurri playing most of the match with 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni's red card and failing to convert their penalty attempts. The loss marks Italy's third consecutive World Cup absence, while Bosnia qualified for the tournament in North America for the second time.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Israel approves death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of terror attacks

    Israel's parliament passed legislation making the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks, with execution by hanging within 90 days. The law has drawn criticism from international observers and civil rights groups who say it is discriminatory and undermines democratic principles.

    31 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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