WhatsApp seeks to stem fake news ahead of Pakistan election
The hugely popular WhatsApp messaging service began a week-long publicity campaign in Pakistan Wednesday offering tips to spot fake news, days before the country holds a general election. “Together we can fight false information,” says the full-page ad in Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language daily, listing ten tips on differentiating rumors from fact. “Many messages containing […]
Anger in Egypt over $400,000 citizenship
The approval by Egypt’s parliament of rules to allow foreign nationals to gain citizenship after five years if they pay nearly $400,000 has sparked an angry response. Monday’s passing of an amendment to existing legislation creates a category of residence for investors in the country. Supporters said the move would benefit the Egyptian economy. Critics […]
Ethiopian to Resume Flights to Asmara
Ethiopian Airlines disclosed that it has finalized preparations to resume daily flights to Asmara, Eritrea as of July 17 with the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft, the Boeing 787. The flight resumption follows agreements reached in Asmara between Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki. CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam said […]
Egypt Sentences Tourist to Eight Years in Prison for Facebook Post
Human rights groups estimate that as many as 60 000 political prisoners languish in Egyptian jails under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, which is significantly more than under the previous regime. Freedoms and liberties are waning to the extent that the country has detained a tourist for what it terms ‘incitement to overthrow the ruling system […]
Peace Between Ethiopia and Eritrea Will Promote Democracy
It seemed impossible just a few months ago: reconciliation between Ethiopia and Eritrea after decades of attrition. But peace is here at long last. How did this turnaround, which some are calling historic, come about? As of today (09/07) it’s official: the war is over between long-time enemies Eritrea and Ethiopia. A document to the […]
Turkey sacks thousands through emergency decree as Erdogan cements power
Turkey’s government on Sunday issued an emergency decree dismissing thousands of public servants for alleged links to terror groups. The decree, published in the Official Gazette, sacked 18,632 civil servants, including nearly 9,000 police officers, some 6,000 members of the military and hundreds of teachers and academics. Their passports will be cancelled. Turkey has been […]
Ex-Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Sentenced to 10 Years Over Corruption
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $10.5m fine, dealing a heavy blow to his political career. Judge Muhammad Bashir read the verdict before a packed courtroom in the capital Islamabad on Friday. The case relates to the ownership of four […]
Fed to Wed: An ancient tradition of force-feeding girls in Mauritania
From a very young age girls in Mauritania are put on a strict diet. Its intention is to help them achieve a certain standard of beauty to ensure that they can find a good husband. The reality of this means force-feeding. Leblouh, as the tradition is called, may be fading away in the cities but […]
Pakistan’s City with No Water
The City with no water: Imagine having to spend half your salary or more buying water, sometimes only available illegally from criminals. Or if water taps in your area only ran once a fortnight in the middle of the night for less than two hours. That was the situation for millions in the city of […]
Police use rubber bullets as gay groups defy ban to march in Istanbul pride
Gay rights groups and activists pressed ahead with the Istanbul Pride parade on Sunday despite Turkish authorities banning the event for the fourth year in a row. Around 1,000 people gathered near the city’s famous Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square where organisers had wanted to originally hold the parade, an AFP photographer at the scene […]
