AU - Africanews

1. Russia blames Ukraine for blast that killed top army general

   Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declared without offering evidence that “there are reasons to believe that Ukrainian special services were involved in the killing"

2. World leaders converge on Rome for Pope's funeral

   World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump converged on Rome for the funeral, but the group of marginalized people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp

3. Gabon’s constitutional court confirms Nguema’s landslide presidential victory

   His election formally ends the transitional period, giving him full constitutional legitimacy to lead.

4. Russia's Putin, Trump envoy discuss war in Ukraine

   Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Friday that the meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff on Ukraine lasted three hours and was "constructive" and "useful"

5. Namibia will offer free university education starting in 2026

   The new policy would remove tuition and registration fees at universities and colleges. There have been calls for years for all levels of education to be subsidized by the government in the country of around 3 million people in southern Africa.