Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Tanzanian Billionaire acquires majority stake in Nation Media Group
By Rene Otinga, NAIROBI Kenya
Nation Media Group (NMG) is set to undergo a historic ownership transition after Tanzanian businessman and former politician Rostam Azizi acquired the 54.08 percent stake of the media company.
Effectively, Azizi becomes the majority shareholder of the media giant, taking over from a position previously held by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).
In what is one of East Africa’s largest media transactions in decades, the deal was executed through one of the companies owned by Azizi, which agreed to purchase 100 per cent of NPRT Holdings Africa Limited.
NPRT is the investment vehicle that held AKFED’s controlling stake in NMG, comprising 92,618,177 ordinary shares.
While the financial particulars of the deal have not been disclosed, the transaction solidified Azizi's position as the majority shareholder of the company.
The sale marked the end of an era, as AKFED concluded its 66-year association with NMG, a “marriage” that began in 1959.
At the time, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV established East African Newspapers (Nation Series) Ltd and acquired the Swahili weekly Taifa Leo.
Since then, Nation Media Group has grown into a powerful multi-platform media conglomerate which operates more than 30 brands across East Africa.
Latest stats seen by Kenyans.co.ke indicate the media giant reaches more than 62 million digital users.
Azizi previously co-founded a communications company, which launched influential Tanzanian publications later acquired by NMG. His new acquisition, therefore, represents a return to media.
Despite shake-ups that come with owner transitions, Azizi has vowed to maintain editorial independence while investing in digital transformation and expanding NMG's reach across the region. 
Mr. Rostam Azizi
“We are honoured and deeply committed to becoming the majority shareholder of Nation Media Group,” said Mr. Azizi. “NMG is an institution of profound importance to East Africa, and we will uphold its editorial independence while investing in its continued success as the region’s leading independent media organisation.”
Following the acquisition, the transaction is now subject to regulatory approvals which are expected to be completed within three to four months.
Oil prices fluctuate as Trump signals Iran conflict could end soon
WASHINGTON, United States
Oil prices dipped on Monday after President Trump signaled that the conflict in Iran could come to a close soon.
Trump, on Monday, told CBS News that the war in Iran was “very complete, pretty much.”
In the aftermath, prices of international benchmark Brent crude dipped below $90 per barrel.
On Tuesday morning, it was around $92, down from just under $100 per barrel earlier Monday afternoon.
That’s still significantly higher than before the conflict, when oil was trading at around $70 per barrel.
The national average cost for gasoline is about $3.54 per gallon, up from $3.48 on Monday.
Trump during a press conference later on Monday said the war would not end with in days, but said it would be over “very soon.”
Iran is located near the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flows.
The conflict has halted oil shipping in the region as Iran threatens to attack any vessels that move through the strait.
Monday, March 9, 2026
Madagascar's President Randrianirina dismisses prime minister and cabinet
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar
Madagascar's President Colonel Michael Randrianirina has dissolved the government, according to a communique released Monday evening by the Presidency.
"The President of the Republic informs that, in accordance with the implementation of the Constitution, the government has ceased its functions and that he will soon proceed with the appointment of a new prime minister, in line with the provisions stipulated by the Constitution," the communique said.
According to the communique, the secretaries-general of each ministry will handle routine affairs until a new prime minister is appointed and a new government is formed.
No specific date has yet been announced for the appointment of the next head of government.
The dissolved government, formed on October 28, 2025, followed the appointment of Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo as prime minister on October 20, 2025, three days after Randrianirina was officially sworn in as Madagascar's head of state.
Kenya evacuates tourists as death toll from flooding rises
NAIROBI, Kenya
Tourists and staff were airlifted from a national reserve in Kenya following severe flooding in the east African country.
“A few days ago we had the Mara River and the Talek River also burst their banks… So a lot of the tourists and camp staff had already evacuated the camps,” Marc Goss explained, the CEO of Mara Elephant Project Trust.
Most tourists in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya were evacuated before the downpour, authorities said.
At least 42 people have died, local media reported Monday. Most of the deaths occured in the capital, Nairobi.
George Seda, the police chief in Nairobi, said some of the victims died by drowning while others were electrocuted.
George Seda, the police chief in Nairobi, said some of the victims were drowned and others were electrocuted.
He warned that the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The heavy rain began on Friday and continued overnight, submerging vehicles and forcing motorists in some areas to wade through hip-high water to reach higher ground.
Kenya has faced heavy rains since late February, which marks the start of the long-rains season.
Previous rain seasons have seen flooding, landslides and mudslides that have left hundreds of people dead and seen thousands of others displaced.
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei, named Iran's new supreme leader
TEHRAN, Iran
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in US-Israeli strikes, has been chosen as his successor.
Unlike his father, the 56-year-old has largely kept a low profile. He has never held government office, nor given public speeches or interviews, and only a limited number of photos and videos of him have ever been published.
But for years there have been rumours that he held considerable influence behind the scenes in Iran.
US diplomatic cables, which were published by WikiLeaks in the late 2000s, described him as "the power behind the robes" who was widely regarded as a "capable and forceful" figure within the regime, according to AP news agency.
Yet his selection could still prove controversial.
The Islamic Republic was founded in 1979 after the monarchy was overthrown, and its ideology is based on the principle that the supreme leader should be chosen for his religious standing and proven leadership, not through hereditary succession.
During his reign, Ali Khamenei spoke only in general terms about the future leadership of the Islamic Republic.
One member of Iran's Assembly of Experts - the clerical body that selects the supreme leader - said two years ago that Ali Khamenei opposed the idea of his son being a candidate for future leadership. But he had never publicly addressed such speculations.
So, who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Born on 8 September 1969 in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Mojtaba is the second of Khamenei's six children. He received his secondary education at the religious Alavi School in Tehran.
At age 17, Mojtaba served in the military for several short periods during the Iran-Iraq War, according to Iranian media. The eight-year bloody conflict made the regime even more suspicious of the US and the West, which supported Iraq.
In 1999, Mojtaba went to Qom, a holy city which is considered an important centre of Shia theology, to continue his religious studies.
It is notable that he did not wear clerical clothing until this time, and it is unclear why he decided to attend a seminary at 30, as it is more usual to do so in one's younger years.
Mojtaba remains a mid-ranking cleric, which could pose an obstacle to his ascendance as the supreme leader.
In recent days, some media outlets and officials close to centres of power in Iran have started referring to Mojtaba Khamenei as "Ayatollah", a senior clerical title.
The shift appears to some observers as an attempt to elevate his religious standing and present him as a credible leader.
In the seminary system, holding the rank of "Ayatollah" and teaching advanced classes are regarded as indicators of a person's scholarly level and knowledge, and are considered one of the requirements and prerequisites for selecting a future leader.
But there has already been a precedent. Ali Khamenei was quickly promoted as "Ayatollah" after he became the second supreme leader in 1989.
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