Cairo, Egypt | AFP | An Egyptian appeals court has overturned a death sentence handed down against ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in one of four trials since his 2013 overthrow, a judicial official said. The Court of Cassation ordered that Morsi be retried on the charges of taking part …
Read More »Seeking halal contraception in Kenya’s Muslim northeast
Wajir, Kenya | AFP | Swaddled in colourful hijabs the women exchange puzzled looks and suppress embarrassed giggles. “You’re sure it’s halal?” asks one, peering at a collection of birth control pills, condoms and IUDs. Such everyday forms of contraception are little known and rarely seen in Kenya’s arid and …
Read More »West Nile virus can kill years after infection
Miami, United States | AFP | West Nile virus may be three times more deadly than previously thought, because many deaths associated with the mosquito-borne virus occur years after the initial infection, researchers said Monday. The findings were based on a study of 4,144 people in Texas, and were presented …
Read More »Facebook in spotlight over tool to weed out fake news
Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook had a tool to weed out fake news circulating on the social network this year but declined to deploy it for fear of offending conservatives, a report said Monday. The report by the online news site Gizmodo comes with Facebook under fire for …
Read More »ICC: US may have committed war crimes in Afghanistan
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | US military forces and the CIA may have committed war crimes in Afghanistan through the “cruel and violent” interrogation of detainees mostly between 2003-2004, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday. There was a “reasonable basis to believe that, in the …
Read More »IS commander wanted by Italy arrested in Sudan
Rome, Italy | AFP | A veteran commander of the Islamic State group who was convicted in Italy of terrorist recruitment has been arrested in Sudan, an Italian lawmaker said Monday. Giacomo Stucchi, a senator who chairs the parliamentary committee that oversees Italy’s secret services, said Italian intelligence had played …
Read More »DR Congo PM resigns but opposition wants Kabila to quit
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Congolese Prime Minister Augustin Matata resigned Monday to make way for an opposition figure to take his place following a controversial deal that effectively extends the president’s term in office. The decision to delay presidential polls until at least late 2017 was part of …
Read More »Putin, Trump in phone call normalising US-Russia ties
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke on the phone on Monday evening and agreed on the need to normalise ties between Washington and Moscow, the Kremlin said. The Kremlin also said that the two politicians agreed to “make provisions for a personal meeting.” …
Read More »Now, Uganda’s Small Arms body speaks out on Lugogo shooting
The Uganda National Focal Point (NFP) on Small Arms and Light weapons at the Ministry of Internal Affairs has come out with a statement condemning the shooting of Kenneth Akena at Lugogo on Saturday. “The shooting of Kenneth Akena is a very unfortunate incident that we all de-cry and condemn in …
Read More »Dr Rwendeire to head Makerere Visitation Committee
President Yoweri Museveni has appointed former minister Dr Abel Rwendeire to lead a Visitation Committee to inquire into affairs of the closed Makerere University. Dr Abel Rwendeire is chairperson, while Lady Justice Keturah Katunguka is deputy. Members are Tim Lwanga, Dr Florence Muranga and Dr Proscovia Sentamu, F.S. Muwanga, Dr Paul Musasizi, …
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