Egyptian TV presenter sentenced to death on drug charges

In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, South Africa’s High Court dismissed a petition by former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Ndume seeking to have a corruption case against her thrown out, reaffirming that the proceedings will continue under the nation’s anti‑corruption statutes. The court’s decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of former officials implicated in alleged procurement irregularities, and it underscores the judiciary’s willingness to pursue high‑profile cases despite political sensitivities.

In a separate development, an Egyptian court sentenced a television presenter and eleven others to death on drug‑trafficking charges, reflecting the country’s stringent penalties for narcotics offenses. The verdict was delivered after a trial that prosecutors said uncovered a large‑scale network smuggling controlled substances. Meanwhile, the cultural landscape across the continent marked a milestone as the inaugural Pan‑African Architecture Biennale opened in Nairobi, Kenya, showcasing works from architects throughout Africa and positioning the event as a new platform for regional design discourse. The biennale’s launch signals growing interest in pan‑continental collaboration and highlights Nairobi’s emerging role as a hub for artistic and architectural innovation.