• Omar dismissed concerns that the move was targeting the LGBTQ community in the islands, where same-sex relationships are illegal.
• Russia's lower house of parliament has passed a new law banning gender reassignment surgery, in the latest attack on LGBT rights in the country.
In this week's round up of world activities, Zanzibar authorities are enforcing a ban on men wearing their hair in braided styles.
They told the BBC that the braiding flouts the law and local traditions and threatens people's morals.
"We find it dangerous to our future generations", said Zanzibar’s Culture Executive Secretary Omar Adam.
"This is one form of immorality in Zanzibar, it is a culture which is adopted from outside Zanzibar."
He dismissed concerns that the move was targeting the LGBTQ community in the islands, where same-sex relationships are illegal.
Russian general fired after criticising army leaders
A top Russian general said he had been removed from his post in Ukraine after telling military chiefs the truth about the dire situation on the front line.
In a voice message, Maj Gen Popov said he raised questions about high casualty rate and lack of artillery support.
"It was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," he said.
"I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."
Maj Gen Ivan Popov was the commander of the 58th Army, which has been fighting in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
Semenya wins appeal at European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favour of double 800m Olympic champion Caster Semenya in a case involving testosterone levels in female athletes.
Semenya has been in a long-running dispute with governing body World Athletics since regulations requiring her to take hormone treatment to decrease her natural testosterone levels were introduced in 2018.
She has twice failed in legal battles to overturn the decision.
The 32-year-old South African was born with differences of sexual development (DSD) and is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs.
Russia bans gender reassignment surgery for trans people
Russia's lower house of parliament has passed a new law banning gender reassignment surgery, in the latest attack on LGBT rights in the country.
The State Duma approved the bill, which will also ban people changing their genders on state documents, on Friday.
It now needs approval from the upper house and President Vladimir Putin, moves normally seen as formalities.
Speaker of the Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, said the bill would "protect our citizens and our children".
South Africa's ex-President Jacob Zuma in Russia for medical treatment
South Africa's ex-President Jacob Zuma travelled to Russia last week for health reasons, his foundation said.
The announcement came a day after the Constitutional Court upheld a ruling that Zuma was granted medical parole unlawfully in September 2021.
"He will be returning to the country once his doctors have completed their treatment," its statement said.
He had been released from prison after serving less than eight weeks of a 15-month sentence.
Zuma, now aged 81, had been jailed for failing to attend an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.
Heat wave prompts red alerts in 16 Italian cities
Red alerts have been issued for 16 cities across Italy as extreme heat continues to affect southern Europe.
The alerts, which indicate risks even for healthy people, apply to tourist hotspots including Rome, Florence, and Bologna for the coming days.
The heatwave has already lasted longer than usual and night-time temperatures have remained high.
More high temperatures are expected in Europe next week as another heatwave approaches.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu declares state of emergency over food
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency to tackle rising food prices and shortages.
Some of the initiatives include using money saved by the recent removal of a fuel subsidy to provide fertiliser and grain to farmers.
Protection is also to be increased for farmers, many of whom have abandoned their land after becoming the target of gangs that kidnap for ransom.
Poorer households are to be helped too with $10 (£8) a month for six months.
"I assure all Nigerians that no-one will be left behind in these strategic interventions," said Tinubu.