Exactly 34 years ago today, the charismatic Pan-Africanist and Burkina Faso's then President, Thomas Sankara, was shot dead aged 37 by soldiers during a coup on 15 October 1987. Four years before his assassination with 12 others, Sankara and his close friend, Blaise Compaoré, staged a coup that brought them to power. This is the story of how he shaped Burkina Faso decades after his assassination.

Farming using hydroponics is becoming increasingly popular throughout Africa. The method saves on water and soil by instead using organic materials like coconut fiber or clay balls to grow crops.

Thousands took to the streets of Burkina Faso's capital on Saturday (July 3) to call for a tougher government response to a wave of jihadist attacks that has destabilized the West African country in recent years. Some had travelled hundreds of kilometres to attend the opposition-led demonstration in Ouagadougou, where protesters waved the red and green Burkinabe flag and blew whistles.

Islamists in the West African state have killed scores of civilians and set fire to their homes and businesses, according to the government.

In this edition: the bodies of two Spaniards and one Irishman killed in an ambush during an anti-poaching patrol in Burkina Faso on Monday are flown back to Spain. We hear from the Spanish defence and foreign ministers. Also, South Africa's Zulu Queen has died aged 65. Our correspondent tells us about the significance of her honorary role. And we take a look at a new TV police drama taking Central African Republic by storm. It's called "Bangui, Special Unit" and focuses on the fight against sexual violence.

Security sources say an anti-poaching patrol accompanied by Western journalists was targeted by armed attackers. Those missing are believed to include Spanish and Irish citizens.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain confirmed the deaths of the two Spanish journalists, whom he identified on Twitter as David Beriain and Roberto Fraile. The conservation organization Chengeta Wildlife said its co-founder and chief executive, Rory Young, was the third victim.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has seen an increase in terror attacks, mainly in the north and east of the country. So-called Western education has become the target of jihadist groups. Students and teachers are regularly intimidated, with some even raped or killed. Amid the threat, more than 2,000 schools have closed, preventing more than 300,000 pupils from getting an education, according to the Ministry of Education. On the ground and in IDP camps, NGOs and unions are trying to provide psychological support to traumatised teachers and children. Our correspondents report.

Burkina Faso has a thriving theater tradition. But terrorism and the coronavirus are curtailing the activities of its only permanent theater.