Countries ground 737 Max 8

Ile Ife is the cultural center of Nigeria's Yoruba people. Our guide is the leader of the Yoruba king's personal band.

This week in Across Africa, Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Namibian President Hage Geingob ahead of his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. He shares his perspective on governance, the impact of Africa's first climate change summit and the role of the African Union in responding to regional upheaval.

Starting on Saturday September 23, China is hosting the Asian Games, a major multi-sport event held every four years between the Olympics. The 19th edition, postponed from last year, brings together some 12,000 athletes from across the continent, competing in 40 sports over two weeks in the eastern city of Hangzhou. For the first time, e-sports are featured as an official medal sport event, with seven golds on offer. But a lot of attention is also focused on what's happening outside the tracks and arenas. FRANCE 24's Oliver Farry tell us more about the geopolitical aspect of the event.

The Cook Islands and Niue have been recognized by the United States as "sovereign and independent states." The move appeared to be aimed at curbing further Chinese inroads into the Pacific region.

A legend in the world of sailing speaks to FRANCE 24 about her love of the sport and the incredibly tough moments it brings. Kirsten Neuschafer was the overall winner of the 2022 Golden Globe race, beating all of her male competitors in the process. The race entailed almost eight months on her own at sea, without electronic navigation equipment, travelling 30,000 nautical miles around the planet. She spoke to us for Perspective.

Diplomats from Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo have met to explore restarting regular three-way summits to foster regional cooperation. The initiative has been on hold for the past few years.

Malaysia intends to double the quantity of palm oil it exports to China, in an effort to counterbalance the EU's push to cut down on its own imports.

The former US president is being sued by the New York attorney general for deceiving banks and insurers by over-valuating assets. The judge's decision narrows the parameters of a trial next week.

Britain's Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for governments to rewrite global refugee rules to make them "fit for the modern age." She said "simply being gay, or a woman" should not in itself entitle refuge.

Social and political issues continue to plague South Africa even 30 years after the end of apartheid. Instead of blaming poor leadership and a corrupt government, many are turning their anger against foreigners, with xenophobic attacks on the rise. One anti-immigrant group now even wants to run for office in the 2024 elections. But are migrants linked at all to the state of affairs in the country?

A visit of Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal to China saw the two nations pledge to boost trade amid plans of new transport links through the Himalayas. But Dahal said Nepal would not join any security alliances.

China's second-largest real estate developer is close to bankruptcy, leaving millions of property investors nursing heavy losses. Worst still, Beijing's post-COVID economic rebound will be further derailed.