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Paul Hilton/Global Conservation/ Uganda Conservation FoundationCopyright: Paul Hilton/Global Conservation/ Uganda Conservation Foundation

Rangers in Uganda's Murchison Falls national park have amassed 12 tonnes of traps over the course of a year, which they've piled up high and nicknamed "snare mountain".

They're hoping to highlight the devastation to local wildlife by poachers who use these snares to trap lions, elephants and hippos among others.

"Over the past 10 years, we’ve removed about 47 tonnes of snares and bear traps," says Michael Keigwin, the founder of the Uganda Conservation Foundation charity, as reported by the Guardian newspaper.

There is talk of a poaching crisis fuelled by Uganda's worsening economy after strict Covid-19 lockdowns, and the charity estimates that more than 60% of the national park’s hippos have been killed in the past few years for their meat and the ivory in their teeth.

At least 13 civilians have been killed by jihadists in south-eastern Mali.

Several other people were also injured in the attack in Gao province which coincided with Eid celebrations, but it's not clear if that timing was intentional.

The attack happened on Wednesday, just days ahead of a vote scheduled for Friday at the UN Security Council which is expected to approve Mali's request for UN peacekeepers to withdraw from the country.

A draft resolution drawn up by France suggests that all personnel are withdrawn within six months.

The withdrawal of the mission, known as Minusma, would come after years of tensions between the UN and Mali's military junta.

Analysts fear that the security situation could deteriorate, leaving the Russian mercenary group Wagner to combat Islamist militants who control large parts of the country.

Yet journalist Mohamed Golfa in the capital, Bamako, tells the BBC that many in Mali agree with the transitional government that the UN peacekeepers aren't doing a good enough job.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Ethiopia has formally requested to join the Brics alliance and says it's "hoping for a positive response", according to Foreign Minister Meles Alem.

Brics - which is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of developed nations.

Ethiopia is one of the biggest economies in Africa and has enjoyed an increase in trade with China and India among others, but its economy has recently been ravaged by war and drought.

Earlier this month, the Brics group said they had received requests from dozens of countries, including a few African states, that wished to join the club of emerging economies.

Brics countries have a combined population of more than 3.2 billion people, making up about 40% of the world's roughly eight billion people.

Ethiopia says it is concerned by the expansion of the violence in Sudan to areas outside the capital city, Khartoum, as refugees continue to cross their border en masse.

There was now "worrying" fighting involving a rebel group in South Kordofan state, Ethiopia's foreign ministry spokesperson Meles Alem.

According to the UN, more than 50,000 people have crossed borders into Ethiopia since the conflict began in April between the Sudan's army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Last week, the army accused SPLM-North, a powerful rebel group with ties in neighbouring South Sudan and that controls areas in the South Kordofan state, of launching attacks.

With tensions escalating around the state’s capital Kadugli, many have fled the state. Violence has also been reported in Blue Nile state bordering Ethiopia.

The UN had said the the recent violence in Kurmuk locality of the Blue Nile was gravely concerning.

Mr Meles also mentioned the clashes in West Darfur, where the conflict has inflamed already fraught ethnic tensions between Arab and African communities similar to the violence that erupted two decades ago.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The Gorongosa National Park, in central Mozambique, has invested more than $1m (£800,000) in the construction of six schools to absorb students who study in the surroundings of the local mountain range.

The administrator of the conservation area, Pedro Muagura, says that this is an initiative that brings together several partners, aiming to improve access to basic services for the local community.

The project includes the construction of laboratories, sports fields and houses for teachers.

The park, one of Mozambique’s famous conservation areas, was, for many years, badly affected by a rebel conflict.

Most of its wildlife, decimated during the civil war, has been restored thanks to an investment from the US-based Greg Carr Foundation.

Prince GyasiCopyright: Prince Gyasi

A Ghanaian photographer known for his hyper-real style has been picked to create the next Pirelli calendar.

Prince Gyasi says he is honoured to have been chosen, and promises part of the project will take place in his home country because "representation and culture are very important" to him.

The 27-year-old started out as teenager taking photos on an old iPhone and has since exhibited in Japan, Brazil and France.

Gyasi's vivid images are influenced by his experience of the neurological condition synaesthesia, which causes a mixing of the senses - in his case he associates colours with words, such as aquamarine and "Wednesday".

The tyre company's calendar has existed for six decades, often showing semi-naked women on its pages, which many critics have regarded as harmful objectification.

There has been a shift in recent years about how women are portrayed, though it not clear if this is a deliberate move. The BBC has asked the company for comment.

You may be interested in:

• How the Pirelli calendar went from pin-up to political

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has facilitated the release of 125 Sudanese soldiers held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The ICRC said the troops - many of whom were wounded - had been taken by bus from the capital, Khartoum, to the city of Wad Madani to the south.

The war between Sudan's army and the RSF has caused a major humanitarian crisis, displacing nearly three million people.

More on Sudan:

• The unsung heroes keeping Khartoum residents alive
• Why an accountant took up arms in Darfur hotspot

Sprite promotional imageCopyright: Sprite promotional image

Nigerians are being warned that some bottles of Sprite are contaminated.

"Particles" have been found in five crates of the soft drink at shops and a production facility, says the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

It is not clear what those particles are, but the authorities say it is the 50cl-size Sprite bottle in particular that is affected.

Some consumers online say the announcement is too vague and are demanding more information.

Rwanda's government says it takes issue with the ruling by the UK court that the country is not safe for asylum seekers and refugees.

Yolande Makolo, spokesperson for the Rwandan government, said:

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Quote Message: While this is ultimately a decision for the UK’s judicial system, we do take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers and refugees.

While this is ultimately a decision for the UK’s judicial system, we do take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers and refugees.

Quote Message: Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world and we have been recognised by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees.

Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world and we have been recognised by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees.

Quote Message: We make a significant contribution to dealing with the impacts of the global migration crisis. Rwandans know what it means to be forced to flee home, and to make a new life in a new country.

We make a significant contribution to dealing with the impacts of the global migration crisis. Rwandans know what it means to be forced to flee home, and to make a new life in a new country.

Quote Message: As a society, and as a government, we have built a safe, secure, dignified environment, in which migrants and refugees have equal rights and opportunities as Rwandans. Everyone relocated here under this partnership will benefit from this."

As a society, and as a government, we have built a safe, secure, dignified environment, in which migrants and refugees have equal rights and opportunities as Rwandans. Everyone relocated here under this partnership will benefit from this."

More on this:

• UK asylum deal: Is Rwanda a land of safety or fear?
• Follow the latest updates on the BBC's dedicated live page

The British government has lost the latest round in the legal battle over its controversial Rwanda deportation policy.

The Court of Appeal ruled in favour of a group of people who arrived in the UK in small boats, plus an asylum charity, who argued the policy is unlawful.

A panel of three judges were split over whether Rwanda qualified as a "safe third country" for UK asylum cases to be heard, and two said it did not.

It is likely ministers will challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court.

• Follow the latest updates on the BBC's dedicated live page

AFPCopyright: AFP

German car manufacturer BMW has announced that, as of next year, its X3 models will be exported from South Africa to countries all over the world.

They will be produced in the company's Rosslyn plant with an investment of 4.2bn South African rand ($225m; £180m), said Milan Nedeljkovic, chairman of the management board of BMW South Africa, in a statement.

From there the "plug-in hybrid" would be exported "all over the world," he said.

South Africa is a manufacturing hub for several international manufacturers including Toyota and Ford.

AFPCopyright: AFP

Morocco is recalling its ambassador to Sweden following the burning of a Quran at a demonstration in Stockholm.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital, Rabat, called the action offensive and irresponsible at a time when Muslims were celebrating one of the holiest days in their calendar.

The organiser of the demonstration - who is said to be Iraqi-born Salwan Momik - is being investigated for incitement to hatred.

A Swedish court had ruled the protest should be allowed to go ahead on the grounds of freedom of expression.