NEWS ANALYSIS

  Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Some turn up dead or injured. Others are never heard of again: A wave of kidnappings in Tanzania that appears to target critics of the government has set the nation on edge. In May, high-profile dissident Mdude Nyagali was snatched by four gunmen after leaving …

New York, United States | AFP | Diego Costa scored four goals as Atletico Madrid embarrassed La Liga rivals Real Madrid 7-3 Friday in a pre-season friendly at MetLife Stadium. Costa had a hat-trick by halftime and added one more goal before he was sent off in the 63rd, when both …

Des Moines, United States | AFP |  Christian Coleman swept to victory in the 100 metres at the US championships on Friday, booking his place at this year’s World Championships with a commanding performance. Coleman, who had comfortably outpaced world champion Justin Gatlin to win his semi-final in 9.96sec, led …

Maiduguri, Nigeria | AFP |  Maiduguri resident Ahmed Muhammed wanders through the rubble left behind as he recalls the outbreak of fighting in his city a decade ago that launched the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. “We heard shooting — badadadadadada — here, there, everywhere around us,” the 44-year-old railway …

Tunis, Tunisia | AFP | Tunisia is gearing up for snap elections as early as September following the death of president Beji Caid Essebsi, amid uncertainty over who could step forward to run the North African country. Essebsi, the country’s first head of state elected in nationwide polls, died Thursday at …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Iran’s seizure and continued detention of a UK-flagged tanker deals Boris Johnson an immediate loyalty test: Britain’s new prime minister may have to choose between Gulf escorts led by Europe or by the United States. Which way Johnson leans could set the tone for a …

Washington, United States | AFP | The antitrust review of Big Tech announced by US regulators could signal a tough new stand on competition policy, but it may just be a political publicity stunt. Legal experts said any antitrust enforcement action against technology giants remains far off, and that a breakup …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP |  Sudan’s military said Wednesday it had arrested a top general and several others over a foiled coup attempt announced earlier this month. It said the plot aimed to re-install the party of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the army in April after months …

Tokyo, Japan | AFP | As Tokyo 2020 Olympics preparations enter their final stage, officials are touting the city’s readiness, but activists and workers groups say speedy venue construction has had dangerous consequences. The Olympic opening ceremony is now less than a year away and more than half the new venues …

Gwangju, South Korea | AFP |  Defending champion Simone Manuel set the pace in the women’s 100 metres freestyle Thursday as normal service resumed at the swimming world championships after a doping storm threatened to spiral out of control. As fallout lingered on two separate podium protests made by athletes …