Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | Every April 7, Rwanda recalls the hundreds of thousands of people who perished in the 1994 genocide — an occasion that for many survivors triggers terrifying memories. But for the two-thirds of the population born in the aftermath of the slaughter, the trauma is of …
Read More »Snapchat launches own multi-player gaming platform
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Messaging app Snapchat, which is widely popular among younger users but has struggled to turn a profit since its creation in 2011, on Thursday unveiled new features including an integrated gaming platform, an expansion of its original series and new partnerships with developers. “Friendship …
Read More »Roads deadlier than guns in Libya
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Roads in conflict-riddled Libya, where petrol is cheaper than mineral water, rank among the deadliest in the world. Disregard for traffic rules, a dilapidated infrastructure and cars that fail to meet safety standards combine to make road accidents in Libya more lethal than incidents involving …
Read More »Could Algeria’s protests set off Arab Spring 2.0?
Tunis, Tunisia | AFP | The resignation of Algerian leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika after huge protests has inspired activists in the region, but looks unlikely to spark a repeat of the Arab Spring uprisings. Civil society figures in authoritarian Egypt and Sudan welcomed the toppling of a veteran president once seen …
Read More »Libya in chaos since 2011 overthrow of Kadhafi
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | Libya has been mired in chaos since the ouster and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with two rival authorities and a multitude of militias vying for control of the oil-rich country. Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar on Thursday ordered his troops to “advance” on …
Read More »Anticipation mounts for Trump-Xi summit as US-China talks near end
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House on Thursday stoked anticipation President Donald Trump could announce a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to finalize a trade agreement resolving their nine month-trade war. Trump renewed the positive mood that officials have projected since January, telling reporters at the …
Read More »Forever young: study uncovers protein that keeps skin youthful
Tokyo, Japan | AFP | Beauty might only be skin deep, but for those wondering how to keep that skin young, scientists may have found an answer in the form of a protein that encourages cell competition. The prosaically named COL17A1 might not sound like a fountain of youth, but …
Read More »Mandatory ‘divorce course’ for parents splitting up in Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark | AFP | Gone are the days in Denmark when parents could get a divorce with a simple online click — now they have to complete a course before their marriage can be dissolved. As part of a new divorce law that entered into force on April …
Read More »Strong Swiss gun culture faces EU pressure
Lucerne, Switzerland | AFP | Switzerland, where gun culture has deep roots, has managed to avoid the charged national debates over firearm ownership that have consumed other countries. But in a state where compulsory military service means many are comfortable around weapons, voters might, in a May referendum, push back …
Read More »Smartphone moviemakers take the limelight at African festival
Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | “It’s not because you don’t have the means that you don’t dream,” says Guy-Serge Namane, a director at the second Bushman Film Festival, a cornucopia of global smartphone cinema. “Action!,” his assistant director calls. Namane asks actress Berenice Irie, in full make-up, to …
Read More »