Bonn, Germany | AFP | As climate change drives up temperatures, Earth comes ever closer to dangerous ‘tipping points’ that could accelerate global warming beyond our capacity to reign it in, scientists warned at UN talks in Bonn Monday. “Climate change is here. It is dangerous. And it is about to …

Chicago, United States | AFP | One of America’s most permissive hunting laws takes effect Saturday, allowing children younger than 10 years old to carry their own guns in Wisconsin’s forests. The new law was signed last weekend by the midwestern state’s Republican governor Scott Walker, and goes into effect almost …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The largest diamond ever offered at auction is set to go under the hammer in Geneva Tuesday evening, with bids expected to top $25 million. The “sensational” 163.41-carat flawless diamond, suspended from an emerald and diamond necklace called The Art of Grisogono, will be one of …

How coffee marketing arrangement is putting more money in farmers pockets, improving quality Kampala, Uganda | ANDREW S. KAGWA | 80-year old widow Anna Kyamulabi grows coffee on her half acre farm in Bulwanyi village, near Kyengera in Wakiso District. She is a Fairtrade producer, although it unclear if she knows …

Washington, United States | AFP | US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Tuesday that the Justice Department would work quickly to decide whether to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton, President Donald Trump’s election rival. Sessions’ comments indicated that Republicans were seeking to mount a counter-offensive to the probe …

Washington, United States | AFP | Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced Monday that he is investing $50 million to fund research into treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Gates, in an entry on his blog, said he was making the investment from his personal fortune and not with his charitable Bill & Melinda …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Ministers from 13 European and African countries on Monday pledged steps to ease the migrant crisis around the Mediterranean, vowing especially to improve conditions for migrants held in Libya. Interior ministers and other representatives from countries impacted by the ongoing wave of migration up through Africa …

Sochi, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Sochi on Monday, with efforts to bring peace to Syria set to dominate their talks at the Black Sea resort. Despite being on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, Russia and Turkey have …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Oil prices are forecast to rise to $56 a barrel in 2018 from $53 this year as a result of steadily growing demand, agreed production cuts among oil exporters and stabilizing United States shale oil production, according to the World Bank’s Senior Economist John Baffes. …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Amazon said Monday it had acquired the global television rights to “The Lord of the Rings,” based on the celebrated fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, with a multi-season commitment. Set in Middle Earth, the adaptation will explore new storylines preceding Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of …