NEWS ANALYSIS

New York, United States | AFP | Conventional wisdom in the Amazon era holds that the lowest price wins the battle of the retailers, leading many to just about give away items to make a sale. Yet some data suggest a more nuanced reality: while 76 percent of retailers aim …

Paris, France | AFP | Traditional white-striped bodypainting practiced by ndigenousi communities mimics zebra stripes to reduce the number of potentially harmful horsefly bites a person receives by up to 10-fold, according to new research published Wednesday. Tribes in Africa, Australia and southeast Asia have practiced bodypainting in cultural ceremonies for …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  From the shock Brexit referendum result to Tuesday’s landmark vote to reject the divorce deal struck between London and the European Union, here are the milestones on Britain’s rocky road out of the bloc after 46 years. – Britons vote to leave – In …

Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Size does matter, at least when it comes to some hermit crabs, who appear to have evolved longer penises so they can stay in their shells to protect their homes during sex . The so-called “private parts for public property” theory posited by the research published …

Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The EU and European governments have warned that the British parliament’s rejection of a Brexit deal heightens the risk of a disorderly withdrawal from the bloc. Following are some of the key reactions to Tuesday night’s huge defeat for British Prime Minister Theresa May. – European …

  Dundalk, Ireland | AFP | In the town of Dundalk near the Irish border, locals reacted with exasperation and concern at news that the British parliament had rejected a Brexit deal with the EU. “God knows what will happen,” said barman Gavin McCann, pulling pints at The Vinegar Man …

Detroit, United States | AFP | The Detroit auto show kicked off this week with glitzy, high-production value debuts of mostly sports cars, giant trucks and SUVs — new versions of age-old themes. But tucked away in a corner of the show were the people and companies hoping for at …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | What next? After British MPs rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal on Tuesday, triggering a no-confidence vote in the government, that is the question on everyone’s lips. Here are the three main scenarios facing Britain while the clock ticks down to March 29, …

Paris, France | AFP | Facing the biggest test of his presidency, President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday launched a series of public forums inviting voters to express their concerns and hopes after two months of anti-government protests. Here’s how the government plans to carry out its “Great National Debate”, aimed …

Mogadishu, Somalia | AFP |  The Al-Shabaab, meaning “youth” in Arabic, is fighting an armed insurrection in Somalia, which has been mired in chaos since 1991. Here is some background on the Islamist group with links to Al-Qaeda. – Al-Qaeda links – The Shabaab stem from Somalia’s Islamic Courts that …