TANZANIA: The main opposition party could be barred from contesting elections, after it boycotted an event at which parties must sign a code of ethics to secure participation rights.

The Chadema party refused to attend because its leader Tundu Lissu was arrested last week and charged with treason after demanding electoral reforms.

AFGHANISTAN: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada today defended the executions of four people on Friday, saying the death penalty is a core part of “Islamic law.”