Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Pope Francis flies to Egypt Friday for a visit aimed at fostering reconciliation with the Muslim world against the backdrop of recent jihadist attacks on the Middle East’s biggest Christian community. The 80-year-old pontiff is due in Cairo around 1400 (1200 GMT) and his 27 …

Beijing, China | AFP | China is closely following France’s presidential election, but web users appear less interested in the politics than the unusual marriage between moderate candidate Emmanuel Macron and his former teacher. Comparisons with the characters of a popular Chinese television drama called “In the Name of the People” …

Berlin, Germany | AFP |  German lawmakers on Thursday approved a partial ban on the full-face burqa Islamic veil and a package of security measures aimed at preventing extremist attacks. The new laws follow several jihadist attacks, including a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market that claimed 12 lives, …

Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has cautioned Uganda to be careful when negotiating oil and gas deals. He said that whereas oil is a good blessing to nations that discover it, there are times it becomes a curse to the countries. “Oil can be linked to honey. Honey …

Washington, United States | AFP |  The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a 23-year-old pact has boosted trade among Canada, Mexico and the United States. It might now be renegotiated the White House said Wednesday, after Canada and Mexico agreed to do so “swiftly.” US President Donald Trump …

Raila Odinga: Kenya’s tenacious, veteran politician Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | At an age when most would be retired, Raila Odinga, Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and one-time prime minister, is to run again for president — his fourth bid to become head of state. The 72-year-old has been a mainstay of …

The former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye has vowed to organise Local Council (LC) 1 elections countrywide, since according to him, government has failed to fund the exercise. Besigye said the strategy is part of their new political campaign dubbed ‘Five Issues’. Addressing the media …

Paris, France | AFP |  Brigitte Macron, as the 64-year-old wife of the man tipped to become France’s youngest-ever president, is getting used to being in the media spotlight. But the elegant blonde is also having to endure unwelcome scrutiny from a foreign press fascinated by the age gap between …

Washington, United States | AFP |  Facebook said Thursday it is stepping up its security to counter efforts by governments and others to spread misinformation or manipulate discussions for political reasons. The new effort expands Facebook’s security efforts beyond “abusive” actions such as hacking and financial scams to “more subtle …

Chicago, United States | AFP |  United Airlines on Thursday announced it will offer bumped passengers up to $10,000 in compensation and reduce overbooking following the dragging incident on board one of its flights that caused worldwide outrage. Those and other changes, which the airline called “substantial,” are the result …