NEWS ANALYSIS

San Diego, United States | AFP |  The “Game of Thrones” cast leapt to the defense of its much-maligned final season in front of a boisterous crowd at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, blaming the backlash on negative media coverage. The HBO fantasy epic’s conclusion enraged fans around the world, and …

Berlin, Germany | AFP  Germany paid tribute Saturday to Claus von Stauffenberg and others who sought to assassinate Adolf Hitler 75 years ago, a plot that was recognised only belatedly but which a resurgent far-right is now seeking to expropriate. In the attempt on July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg and other high-ranking …

Washington, United States | AFP |  US Democrats presented a united front this week after Donald Trump’s coarse attacks on progressive lawmakers, but the solidarity masks deep fissures in the party as it moves toward choosing a 2020 presidential nominee. From the most liberal quarters to the centrists, Democrats circled …

Cairo, Egypt | AFP |  Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi lauded his side’s “incredible” Africa Cup of Nations triumph Friday as Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal earned a 1-0 victory over Senegal in the final. Bounedjah gave Algeria a dream start against Sadio Mane’s Senegal, the top team in Africa, in front of …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP |  She may have spent 40 days in jail for demonstrating against president Omar al-Bashir who has since been toppled but activist Amani Osmane says the battle for women’s rights in Sudan is far from over. Women have been at the forefront of the revolt which …

Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP |  Blessing Chingwaru could barely walk without support when he arrived at the specialist Rutsanana clinic in Harare complaining of chest pains and fatigue. Weighing a skeletal 37 kilogrammes (5.8 stone), the HIV-positive motor mechanic knew something was wrong. He was immediately given a number of …

Washington, United States | AFP |  Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar branded Donald Trump a “fascist” on Thursday as the president sought to distance himself from mocking chants of “Send her back!” directed at the Somali-born lawmaker by his supporters. “We have said this president is racist, we have condemned his racist …

Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese protest leaders said that talks scheduled for Friday with the country’s military rulers were postponed after rebel members of their movement expressed reservations over a power-sharing deal inked with the generals this week. The generals and protest leaders initialled an accord Wednesday in Khartoum to …

Stockholm, Sweden | AFP |  Swedish prosecutors will need to decide on Friday on whether to charge rapper ASAP Rocky, whose detention in Stockholm on suspicion of assault during a street brawl has created a furore among his fans and fellow artists. Since his detention in early July, fans and …

Senga Bay, Malawi | AFP |  On the shores of Lake Malawi, a crowd eagerly awaits the arrival of a white and yellow cedarwood boat carrying its haul. The crew of six deliver a single net of chambo, sardine and tiny usipa fish from the boat, just one of 72 vessels …