Lome, Togo | AFP | After six months of political crisis, a dialogue between Togo’s government and the opposition opening on Monday is seen by many as the last chance to resolve a bitter dispute over the rule of embattled President Faure Gnassingbe. But the talks have raised a welter …
Read More »In Kenya, anti-poaching dogs are wildlife’s best friends
Maasai Mara, Kenya | AFP | Five-month-old bloodhound Shakaria gambols through the long savannah grasses of Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve, her playful mood swiftly turning to keen determination as she is ordered to track a human scent. Straining at the leash, she pulls her handler along an invisible scent path …
Read More »For single Syrian women, search for soulmate comes up empty
Damascus, Syria | AFP | Syrian student Nour wistfully examines her bare ring finger, then scans fellow classmates around her at Damascus University. Amid the sea of women, there’s no eligible single man in sight. At 30, Nour says she is eager to get married — but Syria’s protracted conflict …
Read More »Oxfam says former Haiti director admitted hiring sex workers
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The former Oxfam country director at the centre of a prostitution scandal admitted to paying for sex at his charity-funded residence during an internal inquiry into the allegations, a report released Monday by the British organisation said. Roland van Hauwermeiren, who led Oxfam’s team …
Read More »Mexican presidential race kicks off with nominations
Mexico City, Mexico | AFP | The campaign for Mexico’s July 1 presidential election began in earnest Sunday as the country’s top parties officially nominated their candidates, with all three front-runners trying to sell a message of change. It is still a wide-open race to succeed President Enrique Pena Nieto, …
Read More »Real Madrid win eight-goal thriller, Atletico keep up Barca chase
Seville, Spain | AFP | Man of the moment Marco Asensio scored twice and Cristiano Ronaldo was also on target as Real Madrid kept up the feel-good factor with a thrilling 5-3 victory at Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday night. Madrid had been 2-1 down at half-time in …
Read More »Florida students to march on Washington in call for gun reform
Washington, United States | AFP | Students who survived a mass shooting at their Florida school on Sunday announced plans to march on Washington in a bid to “shame” politicians into reforming laws that make firearms readily available. The “March for our Lives” will take place on March 24, with …
Read More »S. Africa widens hunt for Zuma allies to India, China
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa has widened a corruption probe into allies of ex-president Jacob Zuma to other countries including India, China and Dubai, the police minister said Sunday. Fikile Mbalula made the announcement days after South Africa issued an arrest warrant for one of the brothers …
Read More »Uganda calls for improved child protection at International summit
Kampala, Uganda | MGLSD | The Uganda Government has called on international partners to aggressively implement strategies that safeguard children against violence so as to enable the young generation achieve their full potential. The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Janat Balunzi Mukwaya observed that ending violence against children is …
Read More »Spurs face uncertain Cup fate after Rochdale revival
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Tottenham Hotspur were left in FA Cup limbo after being held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Rochdale in a fifth-round tie on Sunday. It seemed Harry Kane’s penalty two minutes from time, which made it 2-1 to the visitors, had seen Spurs straight …
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