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Lesotho

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Lesotho. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Maseru

Head of State

King Letsie III

Head of Government

Prime Minister Sam Matekane

South Africa

South Africa mine dump collapse kills 14 illegal miners

Rescue operations are under way near Rustenburg after disused platinum dump collapses on group digging for precious metals.

12 Aug 2026 - 3:57AM

China-Africa relations

What China’s expanded funding for HIV/Aids in Africa means as US cuts health aid

7 Aug 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it

28 Jun 2026 - 5:24PMvideocam

Spain

Pope Leo’s plane grounded, so Spain’s king gives him a ride

The pontiff flew back to Rome on the monarch’s private jet after the papal aircraft’s engine failed to start.

13 Jun 2026 - 3:49AM

Pope Leo boards a plane at Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport, Canary Islands, Spain, on Friday. Photo: Vatican Media via Reuters

Royalty

Prince Harry sued by African charity he set up to honour Princess Diana

The British royal, who faces a defamation suit, had stepped down as a patron of Sentebale last year after disagreements over fundraising.

11 Apr 2026 - 1:44AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China’s Wang Yi cites ‘severe risks’ after Somalia dropped from Africa itinerary

In a call with the Somali foreign minister, China’s top envoy reiterates Beijing’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

12 Jan 2026 - 5:53PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China urges Tanzania to back multilateralism, will ‘stand together’ with Africa

Top diplomat Wang Yi also reaffirms support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

11 Jan 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (second from left) poses with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan (second from right), Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (right) and China’s ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian (left) at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Saturday. Photo: AFP / State House Tanzania

China-Africa relations

China FM Wang Yi opens Africa tour with united call for rules-based order

In Ethiopia, Wang joins African Union leader Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in voicing concerns over US raid on Venezuela.

9 Jan 2026 - 2:47PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Demise of US trade deal AGOA pushes Africa further into China’s orbit

Lapse of African Growth and Opportunity Act deals tariff blow to continent and ‘creates fertile ground’ for Beijing to expand its clout.

7 Oct 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China-Africa trade makes ‘moderate’ gains despite US tariffs, currency weakness

First quarter customs data shows Chinese exports to Africa climbed 11.3% to US$45.92 billion while imports from the continent fell 9.4%.

21 Apr 2025 - 5:28PMvideocam

China is reported to have been Africa’s top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with trade exceeding US$295.56 billion in 2024, a 6 per cent increase from the previous year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Royalty

Who is Princess Senate Seeiso, the royal who hosted Prince Harry for lunch?

After a stop in New York – where he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – Prince Harry arrived in Africa to support the charity he co-founded with the King of Lesotho’s brother.

8 Oct 2024 - 5:00AM

Princess Senate Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry. Photos: @senate.s/Instagram

Celebrity children

Who are Julian Assange’s children – Daniel, Gabriel and Max?

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finally free to be a normal dad after he pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law, returning home to Australia last week – here’s what we know about his family

8 Jul 2024 - 1:21PM

Roger Federer

What is Roger Federer up to in retirement? From his Uniqlo deal to charity

Besides launching his first fashion collection with Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson, Federer has attended the Met Gala, performed with Coldplay, and supported the Springboks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup

10 Mar 2024 - 7:00PM

Japan

Japan’s gender gap the widest among OECD countries, World Bank study shows

Japan is ranked 73rd out of 190 countries surveyed in an assessment of equality between genders, below the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Nepal and Lesotho.

8 Mar 2024 - 8:00AMvideocam

A woman walks past a mural in Tokyo. Japan has the most pronounced gender gap among the OECD countries, a World Bank study has shown. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Lunar New Year

6 Chinese New Year-themed outerwear lines to stay cosy in as the mercury dips

Kenzo has dragon embroidery on a bomber jacket and denim jacket, while Canada Goose keeps things understated with just a hint of red in its Heirloom Mystique parka – great for a skiing holiday

29 Jan 2024 - 10:00AM

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, brands including Canada Goose are drawing inspiration from the dragon. Photos: Handouts

High Jewellery

Pink diamonds: what are they and why are they worth so much?

Most of these elusive stones come from a single mine in Australia … which just closed – no wonder celebs from Blake Lively to Lady Eliza Spencer are fans

13 Jan 2024 - 2:00PM

United Nations

Opinion | Rich are getting richer but more people are going hungry. Why?

The triple whammy of Covid-19, climate change and the war in Ukraine has intensified food insecurities worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

18 Oct 2023 - 8:30PMvideocam

India

India-Canada row challenges US ‘united front’ in region: analysts

The United States faces a delicate balancing act as it seeks to avoid alienating India over the dispute at a time of growing Chinese influence in the region.

6 Oct 2023 - 9:30AMvideocam

Protesters rally outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa on September 25, 2023. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

TV shows and streaming video

Review | French and Japanese wine experts compete in Apple TV+ drama Drops of God

French-Japanese production Drops of God is a taut tale of wine world drama, while comedians just about escape dying – in both senses of the word – on camera in World’s Most Dangerous Roads.

3 Jun 2023 - 12:12PM

China-Africa relations

How China is expanding its law enforcement activities across Africa

Beijing has signed public security and law enforcement agreements with some 40 African nations, according to report.

30 May 2023 - 6:00AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why food is the new focus for China’s ties with Africa

A growing number of African products are in high demand in China after President Xi Jinping promised to boost non-resource imports to US$300 billion by 2025.

19 Mar 2023 - 6:00PMvideocam

A staff member stacks boxes of fresh avocados at the Sunripe factory in Limuru, Kenya, in August. Photo: Xinhua

Coronavirus pandemic

Opinion | End pandemic austerity plans that benefit only the few

More than 140 governments will cut spending in 2023, affecting more than 6.7 billion people – or 85 per cent of the world population. Unless this policy contagion is contained, the coming years will be even more painful than the era following the 2008 financial crisis.

9 Dec 2022 - 12:23PM

A person wrapped in plastic walks outside the headquarters of the International Monetary Fund during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington on April 15, 2020. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China on course for Africa trade boost, as duty-free access list grows

Policy covers nearly 8,800 items, as China seeks to boost African imports to US$300 billion by 2025.

22 Nov 2022 - 2:26PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

‘A great friend’: China strengthens ties with Africa through military aid

Study says China has provided nearly all African countries with millions of dollars’ worth of security force assistance as Beijing seeks to strengthen relations with the continent and protect its economic interests.

15 Nov 2022 - 4:29PMvideocam

Britain

‘Deeply touched’: King Charles thanks public before queen’s funeral

Britain’s King Charles said that he had been ‘moved beyond measure’ by the outpouring of public sympathy following the death of his mother.

19 Sep 2022 - 10:50AM

A picture of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and floral tributes displayed in a window in Windsor. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

US ‘provocations’ over Taiwan must get fit response, Beijing says

China must exercise legitimate right to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang Yi tells Asian and African envoys to UN via video link.

16 Aug 2022 - 7:30PMvideocam

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen meets Senator Ed Markey and other members of the US congressional delegation at the presidential office in Taipei. Photo: Handout via Reuters

China-Africa relations

China slashes African infrastructure loans but ICT funding holds firm

Data shows 11 deals worth US$1.9 billion were signed in eight countries in 2020, a 78 per cent drop on the previous year.

27 Apr 2022 - 11:00AM

Fame and celebrity

Who is Julian Assange’s wife, Stella Moris – who he just married in prison?

Julian Assange has maintained his relationship with Stella Moris despite being detained in a London prison, and now the couple have made it official – but just who is the WikiLeaks founder’s new wife?

25 Mar 2022 - 10:31PMvideocam

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Lesotho

South Africa mine dump collapse kills 14 illegal miners

Rescue operations are under way near Rustenburg after disused platinum dump collapses on group digging for precious metals.

What China’s expanded funding for HIV/Aids in Africa means as US cuts health aid

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it

Pope Leo’s plane grounded, so Spain’s king gives him a ride

The pontiff flew back to Rome on the monarch’s private jet after the papal aircraft’s engine failed to start.

Prince Harry sued by African charity he set up to honour Princess Diana

The British royal, who faces a defamation suit, had stepped down as a patron of Sentebale last year after disagreements over fundraising.

China’s Wang Yi cites ‘severe risks’ after Somalia dropped from Africa itinerary

In a call with the Somali foreign minister, China’s top envoy reiterates Beijing’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

China urges Tanzania to back multilateralism, will ‘stand together’ with Africa

Top diplomat Wang Yi also reaffirms support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China FM Wang Yi opens Africa tour with united call for rules-based order

In Ethiopia, Wang joins African Union leader Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in voicing concerns over US raid on Venezuela.

Demise of US trade deal AGOA pushes Africa further into China’s orbit

Lapse of African Growth and Opportunity Act deals tariff blow to continent and ‘creates fertile ground’ for Beijing to expand its clout.

China-Africa trade makes ‘moderate’ gains despite US tariffs, currency weakness

First quarter customs data shows Chinese exports to Africa climbed 11.3% to US$45.92 billion while imports from the continent fell 9.4%.

Who is Princess Senate Seeiso, the royal who hosted Prince Harry for lunch?

After a stop in New York – where he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – Prince Harry arrived in Africa to support the charity he co-founded with the King of Lesotho’s brother.

Who are Julian Assange’s children – Daniel, Gabriel and Max?

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finally free to be a normal dad after he pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law, returning home to Australia last week – here’s what we know about his family

What is Roger Federer up to in retirement? From his Uniqlo deal to charity

Besides launching his first fashion collection with Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson, Federer has attended the Met Gala, performed with Coldplay, and supported the Springboks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Japan’s gender gap the widest among OECD countries, World Bank study shows

Japan is ranked 73rd out of 190 countries surveyed in an assessment of equality between genders, below the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Nepal and Lesotho.

6 Chinese New Year-themed outerwear lines to stay cosy in as the mercury dips

Kenzo has dragon embroidery on a bomber jacket and denim jacket, while Canada Goose keeps things understated with just a hint of red in its Heirloom Mystique parka – great for a skiing holiday

Pink diamonds: what are they and why are they worth so much?

Most of these elusive stones come from a single mine in Australia … which just closed – no wonder celebs from Blake Lively to Lady Eliza Spencer are fans

Opinion | Rich are getting richer but more people are going hungry. Why?

The triple whammy of Covid-19, climate change and the war in Ukraine has intensified food insecurities worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

India-Canada row challenges US ‘united front’ in region: analysts

The United States faces a delicate balancing act as it seeks to avoid alienating India over the dispute at a time of growing Chinese influence in the region.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Review | French and Japanese wine experts compete in Apple TV+ drama Drops of God

French-Japanese production Drops of God is a taut tale of wine world drama, while comedians just about escape dying – in both senses of the word – on camera in World’s Most Dangerous Roads.

How China is expanding its law enforcement activities across Africa

Beijing has signed public security and law enforcement agreements with some 40 African nations, according to report.

Why food is the new focus for China’s ties with Africa

A growing number of African products are in high demand in China after President Xi Jinping promised to boost non-resource imports to US$300 billion by 2025.

Opinion | End pandemic austerity plans that benefit only the few

More than 140 governments will cut spending in 2023, affecting more than 6.7 billion people – or 85 per cent of the world population. Unless this policy contagion is contained, the coming years will be even more painful than the era following the 2008 financial crisis.

China on course for Africa trade boost, as duty-free access list grows

Policy covers nearly 8,800 items, as China seeks to boost African imports to US$300 billion by 2025.

‘A great friend’: China strengthens ties with Africa through military aid

Study says China has provided nearly all African countries with millions of dollars’ worth of security force assistance as Beijing seeks to strengthen relations with the continent and protect its economic interests.

‘Deeply touched’: King Charles thanks public before queen’s funeral

Britain’s King Charles said that he had been ‘moved beyond measure’ by the outpouring of public sympathy following the death of his mother.

US ‘provocations’ over Taiwan must get fit response, Beijing says

China must exercise legitimate right to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wang Yi tells Asian and African envoys to UN via video link.

China slashes African infrastructure loans but ICT funding holds firm

Data shows 11 deals worth US$1.9 billion were signed in eight countries in 2020, a 78 per cent drop on the previous year.

Who is Julian Assange’s wife, Stella Moris – who he just married in prison?

Julian Assange has maintained his relationship with Stella Moris despite being detained in a London prison, and now the couple have made it official – but just who is the WikiLeaks founder’s new wife?

Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it

Review | French and Japanese wine experts compete in Apple TV+ drama Drops of God