Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Robert Mugabe, who has died aged 95, used repression and fear to hold on to power in Zimbabwe for 37 years until he was finally ousted when his previously loyal military generals turned against him. After his humiliating fall from office in November 2017, his …
Read More »Selfies from the disaster zone: how TV show changed Chernobyl tourism
Chernobyl, Ukraine | AFP | The hit TV series “Chernobyl” has attracted a new generation of tourists to the nuclear disaster zone but guides say that many are more interested in taking selfies than learning about the accident. “They do not need information anymore, they just want to take a selfie,” …
Read More »Chess offers Nigerian slum children new move
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Crowds of children bustle around chessboards in Nigeria’s Lagos, figuring out their next moves as part of a project aimed at bringing hope in one of the city’s impoverished slums. Dozens of matches are played simultaneously as participants as young as three master a game often …
Read More »Dorian strengthens to Category 3 storm as it threatens US east coast
Nassau, Bahamas | AFP | Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis on Wednesday lamented the “generational devastation” wrought by Hurricane Dorian, as it was upgraded to a major Category 3 storm while bearing down on the Carolinas on the US east coast. Minnis confirmed the storm’s death toll had risen to at …
Read More »UK Johnson’s Brexit plans in tatters after stinging defeats
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s hardline Brexit strategy stood in tatters on Thursday after a humiliating week left him without a working majority but unable to call an election. His supporters ended a night-long filibuster in the upper House of Lords when the government gave …
Read More »UK’s Johnson faces new Brexit vote after stinging defeat
London, United Kingdom | AFP | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson braced for another showdown in parliament on Wednesday after a humiliating defeat over his Brexit strategy, with MPs set to vote on a law aimed at blocking a no-deal departure. Johnson has said he will seek an early general election …
Read More »Hurricane Dorian moves towards US coast as seven killed in Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas | AFP | Hurricane Dorian churned towards the United States Wednesday after leaving seven dead in the Bahamas, where the prime minister said terrified residents had endured “days of horror” at the hands of the monster storm. Aerial footage showed scenes of catastrophic damage with hundreds of homes missing …
Read More »Lesotho, Africa’s medical cannabis pioneer
Marakabei, Lesotho | AFP | Vast white greenhouses sit high up on the slopes of Lesotho’s Marakabei town, hidden from view. It’s not fruit or vegetables, however, growing under the 18 plastic covers, but thousands of cannabis plants. The cannabis is grown legally by the Lesotho-based company Medigrow and is regulated …
Read More »Disappointment for Beira cyclone victims hoping for Pope Francis visit
Beira, Mozambique | AFP | Maria da Paz prays silently on a pew near the altar of Beira cathedral. Tonight, as on many other nights, she wants to give thanks for simply being alive. In March, Cyclone Idai roared across Mozambique’s second city, bringing floods that killed more than 600 people …
Read More »Dimitrov stuns Federer to reach US Open semi against Medvedev
New York, United States | AFP | Grigor Dimitrov rallied for a shocking upset of 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at the US Open on Tuesday, the lowest-ranked New York semi-finalist in 28 years advancing to face Daniil Medvedev. The 78th-ranked Bulgarian, who had dropped all seven prior meetings …
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