Washington, United States | AFP | A rifle-toting US man opened fire Wednesday at about two dozen Republican lawmakers and staff holding a baseball practice ahead of a charity game, wounding a top congressman and at least three others. The shooter — identified as 66-year-old James Hodgkinson, an apparent supporter …
Read More »Jury in Cosby trial to deliberate for third day after failing to reach a verdict
Norristown, United States | AFP | The US jury presiding over the Bill Cosby trial will deliberate for a third day Wednesday after failing to reach a verdict on whether the disgraced cultural icon drugged and sexually assaulted a woman 13 years ago. The 79-year-old legendary entertainer, once loved by …
Read More »Cosby won’t testify, defense rests in sex assault trial
Norristown, United States | AFP | Disgraced US comedian Bill Cosby confirmed in court Monday that he would not testify at his sexual assault trial as the defense called just one witness before resting their case. In one of America’s biggest celebrity trials in years, the 79-year-old pioneering black comedian …
Read More »Mozambique warns of ritual attacks against bald people
Maputo, Mozambique | AFP | Police in Mozambique Tuesday warned that bald people could be the targets of ritual attacks, after the brutal killing of two men whose body parts were to be used in witchcraft. The two bald men, one of whom was found with his head cut off …
Read More »DR Congo’s tainted ex-police chief Numbi made national hero
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Democratic Republic of Congo’s former police chief John Numbi, believed by regime critics to be prime suspect in the murder of a key rights activist, has been made a national hero. Numbi, who holds the rank of general, is one of eight senior police …
Read More »Disgruntled employee kills five in Florida, takes own life
Orlando, United States | A man who had been fired in April from his job at a Florida company opened fire Monday at the Orlando business, killing five people before taking his own life, authorities said. Four people were killed at the scene, while a fifth died at the hospital, …
Read More »China rejects Uganda ivory trafficking claims against diplomats
Beijing, China | AFP | China on Thursday rejected allegations that two of its diplomats working in Uganda were involved in the trafficking of ivory from the African country. The Chinese embassy officials are suspected of helping move ivory from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and …
Read More »Uganda probes Chinese diplomats over ivory trafficking
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an investigation into possible collusion between the country’s wildlife agency and two Chinese diplomats in the trafficking of ivory. Poaching has risen sharply in recent years across Africa, fuelled by rising demand in Asia for ivory and rhino horn, …
Read More »Former top Chinese cop executed for murder
Beijing, China | AFP | A former regional police chief in China was executed for murder, state media said Friday, after reports described his victim as a lover more than three decades his junior. Zhao Liping, 65, was found guilty of murder, bribery and possession of firearms and explosives by …
Read More »Gambia tackles sleazy image to diversify tourism
Gambia: Known until now to tourists mainly for muscular young men selling themselves on beaches to much older women from Europe Serrekunda, Gambia | AFP | For decades, The Gambia has built a reputation as a haven for tourists willing to pay for sun, sand, sea… and sex. But its tourism …
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