• Buckingham Palace said the King's cancer was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
• In Russia, Boris Nadezhdin was barred from running for president after Election authorities claimed more than 15% of signatures he submitted were flawed.
King Charles diagnosed with cancer
King Charles was on Monday, February 5 diagnosed with a form of cancer, Buckingham Palace announced.
The monarch said it was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The Palace did not, however, reveal the type of cancer but it said in statement the King began regular treatments on Monday.
The statement added that he will postpone his public engagements and it is expected senior royals will help stand in for him during his treatment.
Israeli intelligence trying to intimidate me - SA minister
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has accused Israeli intelligence of trying to intimidate her following the Gaza case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), local media reports.
Pandor on Thursday told the Mail and Guardian news websites that she was concerned about the safety of her family after being targeted on social media.
The minister said she had spoken to Police Minister Bheki Cele about beefing up her security after she received threatening messages.
Zelensky sacks Ukraine's commander-in-chief
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
It followed lengthy speculation about a rift between the President and General Zaluzhnyi, who has led Ukraine's war efforts since February 2022.
The country's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said in a statement "General Valerii Zaluzhnyi had one of the most difficult tasks - to lead the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Great War with Russia.
"But war does not remain the same. War changes and demands change. Battles 2022, 2023 and 2024 are three different realities. 2024 will bring new changes, for which we must be ready. New approaches, new strategies are needed. Today, a decision was made on the need to change the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Zanzibar ex-minister questioned amid alcohol shortage
Tanzania's ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party (CCM) has questioned the former Zanzibar tourism minister, weeks after he resigned amid shortage of alcohol on the island.
Simai Mohamed Said appeared before the party's ethics committee on Tuesday but did not disclose why he had been summoned.
He had resigned as Tourism minister two weeks ago, citing "unfavourable and disruptive working conditions".
Pakistan cuts off mobile internet as country votes
Pakistan has suspended mobile calls and data services as millions head to the polls to vote in a new government.
An interior ministry spokesman said the measure was warranted, citing recent incidents of terror in the country.
The election comes almost two years since the previous prime minister, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Both calls and data services have been suspended, though wifi networks still appear to be working.
Malawi lifts visa restrictions for 79 countries
Malawi has removed visa restrictions for travellers from 79 countries in an effort to boost tourism and trade in the country.
The Homeland Security Minister, Ken Zikhałe, in a gazette notice on Wednesday, amended the immigration regulations, effectively lifting visa barriers for citizens from the UK, China, Russia, Germany, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, France and others.
Nationals from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) are also exempt from visa requirements.
Putin challenger barred from Russia's election
Russia's election commission this week rejected anti-war challenger Boris Nadezhdin as a candidate in next month's presidential vote.
Election authorities claimed more than 15 per cent of the signatures he submitted with his candidate application were flawed.
He tried to challenge this, but the commission rejected his bid.
Nadezhdin has been relatively critical of Vladimir Putin's full-scale war in Ukraine when few dissenting voices have been tolerated in Russia.
Fugitive who faked death appears in US court
A man who spent two years fighting extradition from Scotland to the United States has appeared in court in Utah charged with rape.
Nicholas Rossi was sent back to the US last month after his claims to be the victim of mistaken identity were rejected by Scottish judges.
Rossi, 36, continues to claim he is an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight.