How do you rebuild and earthquake-proof a centuries-old Moroccan mountain village, at speed, without sacrificing its traditional architecture?That’s a key challenge facing the reconstruction of the country’s isolated “douars”, which were devastated by a strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake last month.The September 8 quake, which killed around 3,000 people and injured 5,600, according to the latest official …

Traditional methods urged for Morocco quake rebuildSat, 07 Oct 2023 09:42:26 GMT Read More »

From Liberia’s swampy slums to superstar footballer and national president, George Weah is running for a second term in elections on Tuesday, defending a controversial record in office and facing determined opposition.His election victory in 2017 sparked high hopes of change in one of the least developed countries on the planet, still reeling from civil …

George Weah: from poverty to football hero and Liberia presidentSat, 07 Oct 2023 05:42:11 GMT Read More »

With his broken surfboard pointed skywards, a child steps out into the sea. In recent years, the fishing village of Robertsport has become a popular spot for lovers of the sport from Liberia and beyond.Experienced surfers give lessons to young people in this town in the southwest of the country, teaching them about the ocean, swimming …

Welcome to Robertsport, Liberia’s surfing paradiseSat, 07 Oct 2023 01:37:33 GMT Read More »

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded on Friday to imprisoned activist Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran, many of whom are removing their hijabs despite a harsh crackdown.Mohammadi’s award comes after a wave of protests swept Iran following the death in custody a year ago of a young Iranian …

Iran women’s activist Narges Mohammadi wins peace NobelFri, 06 Oct 2023 17:50:26 GMT Read More »

A row over planned changes to Europe’s migration rules overshadowed an EU summit Friday, although supporters of the reform vowed opposition from Poland and Hungary would not derail it.The Polish and Hungarian leaders did prevent the leaders from including migration in a joint statement of the summit’s conclusions, causing the meeting to end on a …

Poland and Hungary clash with EU over migration reformFri, 06 Oct 2023 17:35:59 GMT Read More »

Kenyan President William Ruto will ask China for a $1-billion loan and a restructured debt payment plan, his deputy said Friday, despite having criticised his predecessor’s heavy borrowing from Beijing.One of East Africa’s largest economies, Kenya has accumulated more than 10.1 trillion shillings ($68 billion) in debt, a figure equivalent to 67 percent of its …

Kenya’s Ruto to ask China for $1bn loan, debt restructureFri, 06 Oct 2023 16:35:23 GMT Read More »

Hundreds of people took to the streets of the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Friday to voice their opposition to the LGBTQ community, in a move opposed by rights groups as “dangerous”. The rally followed a Supreme Court decision last month that allowed a gay rights lobby to register as a non-governmental organisation — a ruling that …

Hundreds join anti-LGBTQ protest in KenyaFri, 06 Oct 2023 14:05:49 GMT Read More »

Amnesty International on Friday denounced inaction over a UN-backed investigation into alleged atrocities in Ethiopia as a “gross betrayal” of the victims by the international community.The mandate of experts investigating the incidents will expire next week after countries at the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva failed to put forward a draft resolution to …

End of UN-backed Ethiopia rights probe a ‘betrayal’: AmnestyFri, 06 Oct 2023 13:14:57 GMT Read More »

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was on Friday charged as part of an investigation into possible witness tampering, adding to his long list of legal woes, including over illegal campaign financing.Following 30 hours of questioning over nearly four days, investigating magistrates decided they had grounds to charge Sarkozy with benefitting from witness tampering and conspiring …

French ex-president Sarkozy charged in witness tampering probeFri, 06 Oct 2023 12:39:34 GMT Read More »

Poland and Hungary expressed outrage on Friday at planned changes to Europe’s migration system, vowing to veto the proposals at European Union summit in Spain two days after member states approved a key agreement. After a tense day of talks at Thursday’s European Political Community (EPC) summit in the southern city of Granada, EU leaders stayed …

Migration clash as EU leaders gather in SpainFri, 06 Oct 2023 11:33:40 GMT Read More »