NEWS ANALYSIS

Amsterdam, Netherlands | AFP | After all that, why exactly would you want to change it? Just as moves are being stepped up that threaten to change the Champions League into more of a closed shop than ever, along comes the drama of this week at Anfield and in Amsterdam of …

Vancouver, Canada | AFP | A senior Chinese telecom executive whose arrest in Canada on a US warrant triggered a diplomatic row between Ottawa and Beijing appeared in court Wednesday to fight for her release. Canada’s justice department said the court was to set the next key dates in an extradition …

Three party leaders battle it out in S.Africa election Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa goes to the polls Wednesday with the leaders of the three main parties vying for votes in a race that could test the ruling ANC’s long-held dominance. Here is a look at the …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | After a day of abstaining from food and drink, Sudanese protesters Monday broke their fast on the first day of Ramadan with chicken soup and vowed to press their campaign for a civilian rule. As the call for the sunset prayer rang out, crowds gathered …

Paris, France | AFP | What lies behind the arrests of the powerful brother of Algeria’s deposed president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and two former intelligence chiefs? The three have long been considered among the most powerful men in Algeria, but they are now facing charges including “conspiring” against the state. – Who …

Paris, France | AFP | Ajax warmed up for their Champions League semi-final return against Tottenham Hotspur by lifting their first silverware of the campaign, while some surprise names remain in the running to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition next season. Here, AFP Sport takes a look at five main …

: But if freedom is weakening, so is popular demand for it | PETER PENAR AND CAROLYN LOGAN | In recent months, persistent protesters in Algeria and Sudan have faced down government repression to depose long-time political leaders. Unfortunately, these two countries are the exception rather than the norm. More …

They reduce its upfront costs by 25%, electricity costs by 40%, and maintenance costs by 60% | ANDREW SUDMANT AND ANDY GOULDSON | Street-lighting is important. It allows informal vendors and traders to operate for longer hours and improves road and public safety. It also makes streets feel safer and …

Environmental activists raise concerns on NEMA’s role Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Total E&P has secured the green light for its major oil project also known as Tilenga to proceed after 10 months of evaluations by Uganda’s environmental body. Total E&P said the approval by the National Environment Management …

Should opposition trust NRM promise to allow opposition meetings? Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | A meeting between leaders of government and political parties on April 25 to discuss how the Uganda Police is implementing the Public Order Management Act (POMA) went badly for the Leader of Opposition in Parliament …