Port Louis, Mauritius | AFP | Mauritius, a model of political stability in Africa, may be headed for turbulence as its leader looks set to resign before the end of his mandate and pass the baton to his son. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, 86, has indicated he will likely step down …
Read More »Germany says new East-West tensions more dangerous than Cold War
Berlin, Germany | AFP | The mounting tensions between the United States and Russia have created a situation that is “more dangerous” than the Cold War, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an interview published Saturday. Relations between the two have nosedived since a ceasefire they agreed to in …
Read More »TRUMP: I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone I’m not
Washington, United States | Donald Trump, facing the deepest crisis of his presidential campaign, apologized early Saturday for crude and aggressively sexual remarks about women that he made in 2005, as criticism swelled from within his Republican Party. The Republican nominee, in a shocking video released by The Washington Post …
Read More »How far to go? Photographers divided over graphic war snaps
Bayeux, France | AFP | How far to go in terms of gore and shock value when covering conflict? Capturing violence on camera was hotly debated on the fringes of Bayeux, a major French photography festival. Seasoned photographers discussed where to draw the line at an event Friday on the …
Read More »US vows response to Russian hack at ‘time and place of our choosing’
Washington, United States | AFP | Directly accusing Russia of trying to manipulate the 2016 US presidential election, the United States on Friday issued a stark warning that it would act when it wants to protect its interests. “We will take action to protect our interests, including in cyberspace, and …
Read More »Chumba, Kiplagat eye Chicago Marathon repeats
Chicago, United States | AFP | Kenyans Dickson Chumba and Florence Kiplagat aim to defend their titles at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, with 2012 winner Tsegaye Kebede out to spoil Chumba’s repeat bid in the Windy City. Chumba pulled away in the final three miles to lead a Kenyan …
Read More »Beats, not batons: Uganda’s singing cop makes waves
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Michael O’HAGAN A Ugandan policeman has turned to rap and breakdancing to win over a sceptical public in a popular music video extolling the virtues of the police service. Inspector Samuel Ojobira, known as “O.J”, is making waves with his hit song “Physically Fit”, although some …
Read More »At 85, Tutu says wants choice of assisted death
Le Cap, South Africa | AFP | South African retired Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu celebrated his 85th birthday on Friday saying he would like to be allowed the option of dignified assisted death. “Today, I myself am even closer to the departures hall than arrivals, so to …
Read More »Burundi wants to quit ICC to avoid possible charges
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi announced plans Friday to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a week after the UN began an enquiry into human rights abuses committed since April 2015. “It is perfectly clear that this is a plot to do harm to Burundi,” said Gaston …
Read More »Obama casts early ballot in 2016 election
Chicago, United States | AFP | President Barack Obama cast an early ballot in his adopted hometown of Chicago on Friday, highlighting a Democratic drive to get voters to the polls before November 8. During an unannounced visit, Obama stood before a voting machine at the Chicago Board of Elections …
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