London, United Kingdom | AFP | Usain Bolt’s bid to bring the curtain down on his glittering career with a 15th world gold medal remained on track as Jamaica qualified for the final of the 4x100m relay. Bolt took the unusual step of racing the relay heats, something usually reserved for …
Read More »Kenya opposition vows ‘will not relent’ as 11 die in poll protests
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s defeated opposition coalition vowed Saturday they would not halt their bid to overturn a “sham” election result, which sparked violent protests that have left 11 people dead. Protests flared in opposition bastions as soon as President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the victor on Friday night …
Read More »All that glitters: Ghana battles illegal mining
Accra, Ghana | AFP | Ghana has long been known for its bountiful gold reserves and was called “the Gold Coast” during its colonial era. But illegal mining in Africa’s second largest producer is taking a heavy human as well as environmental and economic toll with more than $2 billion lost …
Read More »OPEC pumps more oil in July despite cut pledge: IEA
Paris, France | AFP | OPEC pumped more oil in July as global oil supplies rose for the third straight month, the IEA said Friday, giving figures that cast further doubt on the cartel’s pledge to cut output to raise prices. In its monthly report on the global oil market, the …
Read More »Guam tourism sees silver lining in North Korean threats
Hagatna, United States | AFP | Tourism-dependent Guam is looking to cash in on its new-found fame as a North Korean missile target, tapping an unlikely promotional opportunity to attract visitors to the idyllic island and prove that all publicity is good publicity. Pyongyang’s threats to launch four missile strikes near …
Read More »China still building South China Sea islands: think-tank
Manila, Philippines | AFP | China is expanding artificial islands in disputed South China Sea areas despite saying it stopped two years ago, according to a security think tank that released satellite images it said showed the land reclamation. Beijing claims most of the sea and has been turning reefs in …
Read More »I’m my own man, insists Van Niekerk
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Wayde van Niekerk says he is building his own “image and brand” and doesn’t want to be tagged as the successor to track and field legends Usain Bolt and Michael Johnson. The 25-year-old South African 400 metres world record holder just missed out on emulating …
Read More »Nigerian forces in ‘unauthorised search’ of UN camp
Kano, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian forces conducted an unauthorised dawn raid on the UN’s main base in the country’s conflict-torn northeast on Friday, the UN said, further inflaming tensions between the government and aid groups. A UN source told AFP that the search of the camp in Maiduguri, known as …
Read More »Morocco to bid for 2026 World Cup – Federation
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | Morocco’s football federation (FRMF) announced on Friday it had told the sport’s world governing body FIFA it will bid to host the 2026 World Cup. It would be Morocco’s fifth candidacy having come up short already in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010. “Morocco considers itself capable …
Read More »Chelsea have ‘problems’ but Conte doesn’t want sympathy
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Antonio Conte insists he isn’t looking for sympathy despite admitting Chelsea are facing problems at the start of their Premier League title defence. Conte has been frustrated by Chelsea’s failure to land his top transfer targets while the champions’ title rivals embarked on multi-million pound …
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