Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Blessing Chingwaru could barely walk without support when he arrived at the specialist Rutsanana clinic in Harare complaining of chest pains and fatigue. Weighing a skeletal 37 kilogrammes (5.8 stone), the HIV-positive motor mechanic knew something was wrong. He was immediately given a number of …
Read More »Somali-born lawmaker brands Trump ‘fascist’ after rally taunt
Washington, United States | AFP | Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar branded Donald Trump a “fascist” on Thursday as the president sought to distance himself from mocking chants of “Send her back!” directed at the Somali-born lawmaker by his supporters. “We have said this president is racist, we have condemned his racist …
Read More »Rebel qualms delay Sudan army-protesters meet
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese protest leaders said that talks scheduled for Friday with the country’s military rulers were postponed after rebel members of their movement expressed reservations over a power-sharing deal inked with the generals this week. The generals and protest leaders initialled an accord Wednesday in Khartoum to …
Read More »Swedish prosecutor to decide on charging rapper ASAP Rocky
Stockholm, Sweden | AFP | Swedish prosecutors will need to decide on Friday on whether to charge rapper ASAP Rocky, whose detention in Stockholm on suspicion of assault during a street brawl has created a furore among his fans and fellow artists. Since his detention in early July, fans and …
Read More »Empty nets as overfishing and climate change sap Lake Malawi
Senga Bay, Malawi | AFP | On the shores of Lake Malawi, a crowd eagerly awaits the arrival of a white and yellow cedarwood boat carrying its haul. The crew of six deliver a single net of chambo, sardine and tiny usipa fish from the boat, just one of 72 vessels …
Read More »Thousands converge on Sudan square for ‘martyrs’ rally
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Thousands of Sudanese demonstrators converged Thursday on a prominent square in Khartoum in a march to honour comrades killed in the months-long protest movement that has rocked the country. The rallies came a day after protest leaders and army rulers inked a power-sharing deal to form …
Read More »Senegal, Algeria set for rematch in Africa Cup of Nations final
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Sadio Mane’s Senegal and an Algeria side captained by Riyad Mahrez will attempt to secure their place in Africa Cup of Nations history in Friday’s final in Cairo. Senegal, the 2002 runners-up, are desperate to end a long wait for a first continental title, while …
Read More »Pacquiao battling age, hungry Thurman in title showdown
Las Vegas, United States | AFP | Twenty-four years after first climbing into a professional boxing ring, Manny Pacquiao will attempt to defy the march of time here Saturday when he battles undefeated American Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight crown. The 40-year-old Filipino icon clashes with Thurman at the MGM …
Read More »Facebook’s Libra prospects dim, but cryptocurrencies roll on
Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook’s planned global digital coin Libra has run into a wall of opposition in Washington that could prevent its launch as envisioned, but analysts say cryptocurrencies are likely to make gains around the world nonetheless. The plan by Facebook and its partners has generated skepticism …
Read More »Trump fires up base as impeachment bid blocked in Congress
Greenville, United States | AFP | A fired-up Donald Trump took aim once more at Democratic lawmakers who “hate” America as he hit the campaign trail Wednesday, hours after an opposition bid to impeach the US president over “racist” attacks was shot down in Congress. Egging on a sea of supporters …
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