Jérusalem, Undefined | AFP | Preservation experts have opened for the first time in at least two centuries what Christians believe is Jesus’s tomb inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Some of the historic work was witnessed by AFP photographer Gali Tibbon who captured images of the …
Read More »Study shows young women boozing like the boys
Paris, France | AFP | Young women in Western countries have caught up with their male counterparts in drinking habits, according to research published this week. Women aged 18-27 years old have almost reached parity with men of their age group in three categories of drinking — the likelihood of …
Read More »Russia loses election to UN rights council
United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia on Friday failed to win re-election at the United Nations Human Rights Council in a vote rights groups said reflected international disapproval of Moscow’s involvement in the war in Syria. The UN General Assembly elected Hungary and Croatia instead to represent eastern …
Read More »Sex, drugs and death: what’s at stake in California polls
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Sex, drugs and death are the star attractions of the November 8 elections in California, there being little doubt that Hillary Clinton will carry the heavily Democratic state. Should actors in porno movies be required to wear condoms? Abolish the death penalty or …
Read More »ANALYSIS: As Xi’s star rises, experts ask if the centre can hold
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese Communist chief Xi Jinping’s ascension to the highest title in the party hierarchy formalises his position as its pre-eminent figure, analysts said, making him the country’s most powerful leader in a generation and inviting comparisons with Mao Zedong. The ruling party’s declaration that Xi …
Read More »Prosecutor Bensouda vows to press on despite Africa ICC withdrawals
The Hague, Netherlands | AFP | The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has described decisions by three African countries to withdraw as a “setback”, as she vowed that the tribunal will continue its work on the continent. “You could expect a setback as the ICC started to make more progress,” …
Read More »US Supreme Court to decide ‘battle of the toilets’
Washington, United States | AFP | The US Supreme Court said Friday that it will decide which bathrooms should be used by transgender people, a highly sensitive question with national political resonance. The case involves 17-year-old Gavin Grimm, who was born a female but identifies as a male. Grimm filed …
Read More »S. Korean presidential aides raided in scandal probe
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | South Korean prosecutors on Saturday raided the homes and offices of senior advisers to President Park Geun-Hye, as she struggled with a corruption and influence-peddling scandal involving a close family friend. The crisis centred around Park’s long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil has rocked her presidency, …
Read More »Diane Basemera promotes the arts online
Diane founded Amooti.org, an online market place that provides easy access to African-inspired art, culture, fashion and other products over the Internet. The business gives gifted and inspired people a platform to share their talents and culture, while getting income for their work. All they need to do is get …
Read More »Brazil preparing to release millions of factory-bred mosquitoes
Brazil mutant mosquitoes to breed out diseases Piracicaba, Brazil | AFP | Scientists in Brazil are preparing to release millions of factory-bred mosquitoes in an attempt to wipe out their distant cousins that carry tropical diseases. The insects’ method: have sex and then die. British firm Oxitec says its …
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