Without emotions like empathy, we would be equally unmoved by a murder or a kiss GLOBAL COMMENT | KEVIN LALAND| In July, moviegoers flocked to theaters to see `War for the Planet of the Apes’, in which an army of retrovirus-modified primates wage war against humanity. Chimpanzees on horseback, machine-gun-wielding …

Why giving more women access to male occupations can raise productivity by 25% COMMENT |Graça Machel| Julius Nyerere, the founding president of Tanzania, once said that “unity” will not make Africa rich, but “it can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated.” But, …

Too many of us take our driving for granted, especially once we have been on the road for a while. So naturally there is no shortage of myths flying around –on all aspects of driving, vehicle maintenance and road safety. Some are plain silly, others are downright dangerous. We thought …

Offers man and gorilla a touch of luxury |Anne Quito| The most glamorous mountain gorilla “education center” has opened in Rwanda. Built in a remnant of an old volcano crater, the Bisate Lodge offers guests the opportunity to learn about the critically endangered apes in their natural habitat, while staying …

Sudanese artist shows off transparent canvases at AKA gallery |Dominic Muwanguzi| Ahmed Abushariaa defines his paintings as a figurative interpretation of his Arabic background in Sudan and a metaphor of the everyday things and events that surround him. For metaphorical representation, Abushariaa paints abstract images of Arabic landscapes that include …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | London landmark Big Ben fell silent for four years starting Monday, as a political outcry mounted over renovations that will rob Britain of a cherished symbol at a time of national uncertainty. The 12 bongs from the famous bell rang out for midday in front …

Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Tresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday warned a top Turkish general who played a key role in defeating last year’s failed coup and led a cross-border operation in Syria that he must accept a surprise demotion without rancour. In a rare show of tension between the …

Beijing, China | AFP | China on Monday renewed its call for the United States and South Korea to suspend joint military drills as the two nations began annual war games that have infuriated nuclear-armed Pyongyang. “The current situation on the Korean peninsula is highly sensitive and fragile, which requires the …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari took to state TV on Monday in his first speech since returning from a long medical absence in Britain, in a bid to dampen mounting separatist tensions in the country. The 74-year-old, who received treatment for an undisclosed condition in London, appeared …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | A controversial online auction of rhino horn set to open Monday has been delayed by two days after a legal challenge delayed the South African permit for the sale, the organisers announced. Outraged conservationists say the three-day auctoin could undermine the global ban on rhino …