San Francisco, United States | AFP | A news report Friday said many smartphone apps were sending highly personal information such as menstrual cycles and body weight to Facebook, without notifying users. The Wall Street Journal report based on its own in-house tests showed that intimate data could be shared with …
Read More »Five things to watch for on Oscars night
Hollywood, United States | AFP | Oscars night is quickly approaching — on Sunday, all will be revealed. Will Alfonso Cuaron sweep the awards for his cinematic masterpiece “Roma?” Will another contender swipe the best picture Oscar from him? Can Glenn Close finally claim her first Academy Award? The ceremony will …
Read More »Venezuela: a month of crisis
Caracas, Venezuela | AFP | Opposition chief Juan Guaido stunned the world on January 23 when he declared himself acting president of Venezuela, plunging the crisis-hit country into new turmoil. Some 50 countries have since recognized him as leader while others continue to back President Nicolas Maduro. Here is a recap …
Read More »Dozens arrested in protests against fifth term for Algeria president
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | Security forces arrested 41 people during angry protests that rocked Algeria’s capital against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika seeking a fifth term, authorities said Saturday. Police fired teargas on Friday afternoon to block a protest march on the presidential palace, prompting demonstrators to respond with stone-throwing. The …
Read More »Sudan opposition to keep up protests despite emergency
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudan’s main opposition party on Saturday dismissed President Omar al-Bashir’s declaration of a state of emergency, saying protesters would keep up their campaign until his three-decade rule was ended. On Friday, Bashir imposed a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the federal and provincial governments in …
Read More »Battling CAF giants hope home advantage can bring change of luck
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Misfiring CAF Confederation Cup top group seeds Etoile Sahel, Raja Casablanca and Zamalek will have home advantage Sunday when seeking their first mini-league victories. Etoile have won the African version of the UEFA Europa League twice, Raja are the trophy-holders and Zamalek can boast of …
Read More »Warning issued over attacks on internet infrastructure
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Key parts of the internet infrastructure face large-scale attacks that threaten the global system of web traffic, the internet’s address keeper warned Friday. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) declared after an emergency meeting “an ongoing and significant risk” to key …
Read More »Sudan: three decades under Bashir
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Here are key dates in Sudan since Omar al-Bashir, who Friday announced a nationwide state of emergency following two months of deadly anti-government protests, came to power three decades ago. – 1989: coup – In June 1989. army brigadier Bashir seizes power in a coup backed …
Read More »Nigeria’s Buhari promises security for rescheduled election
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | President Muhammadu Buhari vowed Friday on the eve of troubled elections that Nigerians would be able to vote in security, despite a week-long postponement and violence in the north of the country. In a televised address, Buhari promised “adequate security measures are in place” for the ballot. “You will be …
Read More »No Brexit ‘deal in the desert’ for May: EU source
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | British Prime Minister Theresa May will have a chance to speak to fellow EU leaders at their summit with the Arab League, but she should not expect a Brexit breakthrough, an EU source said Friday. Arab and European leaders will meet for two days from Sunday in the Egyptian resort …
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