The AfricaBrief provides a daily digest of important current news and something no other newsletter offers about Africa: contributions from "ordinary" writers!
Monday, 19 February 2018
DNA secrets of how vampire bats became bloodthirsty http://ift.tt/2sAUb3A
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Iran: Three police officers die in clashes with dervishes http://ift.tt/2GuzgBx
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Iran: Three police officers die in clashes with dervishes
Three policemen were hit and killed by a bus during a protest at a police station in Tehran.
Runaway cow escapes slaughterhouse to live on desert island
The animal was on its way to the slaughterhouse when it rammed a gate and swam to an island.
JJ Redick: NBA star apologises after 'racist' video outrage http://ift.tt/2ESvJ2I
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Runaway cow escapes slaughterhouse to live on desert island http://ift.tt/2BDt1Mj
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Major Russian mafia trial opens in Spain
A Russian MP and 17 others go on trial in Madrid accused of mafia money-laundering.
JJ Redick: NBA star apologises after 'racist' video outrage
NBA basketball player JJ Redick apologises after online accusations of using a derogatory term.
Winter Olympics: Rowan's redemption, a super coach & 'extraordinary' dead heat
Watch the best of the action from day 10 of the Winter Olympics as Britain's Rowan Cheshire qualifies for the halfpipe final.
Major Russian mafia trial opens in Spain http://ift.tt/2Fd98eM
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Mozambique rubbish dump collapse 'kills at least 17' people http://ift.tt/2EEZsZK
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Berlusconi's handshake advice for BBC reporter http://ift.tt/2CulvAl
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Trump 'supportive' of improved gun background checks
A statement says the President has discussed a bipartisan bill to improve checks when buying weapons.
Deadly rubbish collapse in Mozambique
Heavy rains brings down a pile of waste onto homes in Maputo - with more victims feared trapped.
Berlusconi's handshake advice for BBC reporter
The former Italian prime minister hopes to lead the next coalition government but is still as outspoken as ever.
Mexico special agents found dead after cartel kidnapping
The two officers were seized by armed men thought to belong to the Jalisco New Generation cartel.
Nyle DiMarco's tweets spur deaf people to share cinema frustrations
Nyle DiMarco shares his frustrations as a deaf cinema-goer and hits a nerve with others hard of hearing.
Trump 'supportive' of improved gun background checks http://ift.tt/2sBGCRz
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Latvian central bank boss 'wanted bribe' http://ift.tt/2HsBlz9
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Mexico special agents found dead after cartel kidnapping http://ift.tt/2ETOVNH
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Indian bank branch at centre of $1.8bn fraud is closed http://ift.tt/2ED57za
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
National anthem at NBA game prompts cries of foul http://ift.tt/2CwRyiR
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Nyle DiMarco's tweets spur deaf people to share cinema frustrations http://ift.tt/2C6JOse
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Latvian central bank boss 'wanted bribe'
The Baltic state's anti-corruption agency suspects Ilmars Rimsevics of seeking a €100,000 bribe.
Jennifer Lawrence swaps acting for activism
The Oscar-winning star is taking a year off to get more young people politically engaged.
Gaza women's TV channel blocked by Hamas
The channel's managers deny the Islamist group's claim that it did not have a broadcasting licence.
Chicken chaos as KFC closes 750 outlets
Most of the chicken chain's 900 UK outlets are shut following "issues" with new delivery firm DHL.
National anthem at NBA game prompts cries of foul
Ex Black Eyed Peas singer's performance before annual basketball match-up did not impress everyone.
Iceland's mooted circumcision ban sparks religious outrage http://ift.tt/2sDEQiT
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Jennifer Lawrence swaps acting for activism http://ift.tt/2Gq8tWQ
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Indians who 'abused witches' arrested by police http://ift.tt/2ENDwyS
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Facebook to seek verification by post for election ads http://ift.tt/2EQohVL
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Court frees 475 suspects http://ift.tt/2obrDcx
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Indians who 'abused witches' arrested by police
The two women had their hair forcibly shaved off and were stripped naked and paraded through the village.
Facebook to seek verification by post for election ads
People wishing to take out ads naming political candidates will be sent a verification code in the post.
Iceland's mooted circumcision ban sparks religious outrage
Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders condemned the move, calling it an attack on religious freedom.
Chile seeks extradition of ex-guerrilla arrested in France
He avoided capture for 22 years after escaping from prison, but was found in Paris last week.
Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Court frees 475 suspects
The twin brothers are finally free after waiting for a Nigerian court to hear their case since 2010.
Iran crashed plane found in mountains, reports say http://ift.tt/2BDfTab
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Parkour: Amal Murad - the first Emirati woman to coach http://ift.tt/2sHTZQm
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Wreckage of crashed Iran plane found, reports say
A search and rescue operation was called off on Sunday due to heavy wind and snow.
Winter Olympics: Ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis endures 'nightmare' as dress comes undone
French ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis endures her "worst nightmare" as her dress comes undone during a short dance routine.
BBC starts Igbo and Yoruba services in Nigeria
The World Service launches online and social media in Igbo and Yoruba for audiences in Nigeria.
Parkour: Amal Murad - the first Emirati woman to coach
Amal Murad says she has been surprised by the amount of support she has received.
Avalanche in French Alps kills father and daughter http://ift.tt/2Gnm0yg
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Winter Olympics: Ice dancer Gabriella Papadakis endures 'nightmare' as dress comes undone http://ift.tt/2o9KZi8
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Autism: Scientists take 'first steps' towards biological test http://ift.tt/2ES9IRs
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
BBC starts Igbo and Yoruba services in Nigeria http://ift.tt/2ohzHaP
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Avalanche in French Alps kills father and daughter
The man, 43, and his 11-year-old daughter were skiing in an area at risk at the Val d'Isère resort.
Terracotta theft: Chinese anger over stolen warrior thumb
A US man took a selfie with the 2,000-year-old terracotta warrior statue before stealing its thumb.
Trump Jr 'dinner chat' offer criticised
A newspaper advertisement offers property buyers conversation and a meal with Donald Trump Jr.
Rio de Janeiro violence: Hostages freed as prison riot ends
Riot police retake control of a prison near the major city, ending a mutiny by armed inmates.
Autism: Scientists take 'first steps' towards biological test
Differences were found in blood proteins between children with and without autism, a study says.
Justin Trudeau in India: Is the Canadian PM being cold-shouldered?
The normally attention-grabbing Canadian prime minister's visit has been unusually low key so far.
Reality Check: How does renting a home in the UK compare with Europe?
Home ownership among young people has plummeted. What protections do UK tenants have and what responsibilities do they face?
Trump Jr 'dinner chat' offer criticised http://ift.tt/2okCoIP
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Rio de Janeiro violence: Hostages freed as prison riot ends http://ift.tt/2Cva9fl
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Terracotta theft: Chinese anger over stolen warrior thumb http://ift.tt/2CtKoMz
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Justin Trudeau in India: Is the Canadian PM being cold-shouldered? http://ift.tt/2BCydQx
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Reality Check: How does renting a home in the UK compare with Europe? http://ift.tt/2C7HhOz
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Iran plane crash: Agonising wait continues for relatives
All 66 people aboard a plane that crashed on Sunday are feared dead, as a search is set to resume.
Winter Olympics: Alexander Krushelnitsky named as Russian suspected of failed doping test
A Russian suspected of failing a doping test at the Winter Olympics is named as medal-winning curler Alexander Krushelnitsky.
Australia rugby star Karmichael Hunt avoids drug conviction
Karmichael Hunt receives a fine after prosecutors drop a charge of cocaine possession.
Iran plane crash: Agonising wait continues for relatives http://ift.tt/2C6j0IO
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Australia rugby star Karmichael Hunt avoids drug conviction http://ift.tt/2GroX0Z
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Oxfam Haiti scandal: Suspects 'physically threatened' witnesses
The charity has for the first time published a 2011 report on sexual misconduct claims in Haiti.
Three Billboards wins big at the Baftas
The big Bafta winner this year, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri took home five awards.
Ethiopian cliff church gives priest daily test of faith
In the remote mountains of northern Ethiopia, a lone priest scales a 250m cliff each day to reach his church.
What it's like being a female director in Bollywood
Gauri Shinde talks about the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry.
The lesbian pioneers who fooled Spain's Catholic Church
Their wedding in 1901 remains the only known same-sex marriage in the church's history, the BBC's James Badcock reports.
Oxfam Haiti scandal: Suspects 'physically threatened' witnesses http://ift.tt/2EAZsdb
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Three Billboards wins big at the Baftas http://ift.tt/2Cu6H4M
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Christian Coleman breaks 20-year-old 60m indoor world record http://ift.tt/2sCO8vp
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
What it's like being a female director in Bollywood http://ift.tt/2FeUynk
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
The lesbian pioneers who fooled Spain's Catholic Church http://ift.tt/2EC0Ufe
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Israel-Poland spat: Swastikas drawn on Polish embassy in Tel Aviv
It comes after Israel condemned the Polish PM for saying Jews were among perpetrators of the Holocaust.
Afrin: Kurdish fighters 'strike deal' with Syrian army
Damascus has not confirmed reports that it will send soldiers to help protect Afrin from Turkey.
Australia MP George Christensen criticised over gun photo
George Christensen asks left-wing opponents if they "feel lucky", drawing widespread condemnation.
Christian Coleman breaks 20-year-old 60m indoor world record
American Christian Coleman breaks the 60m indoor world record, clocking 6.34 seconds at the US Indoor Championships in New Mexico.
Brazil match abandoned after 10 red cards
A Brazilian football match is abandoned after 10 players are sent off in the second half.
UK PM challenges university costs
The prime minister launches review amid "serious concerns" about university costs in England.
Israel-Poland spat: Swastikas drawn on Polish embassy in Tel Aviv http://ift.tt/2Fe0UTT
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Afrin: Kurdish fighters 'strike deal' with Syrian army http://ift.tt/2sFXHKd
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Australia MP George Christensen criticised over gun photo http://ift.tt/2od9MRw
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Brazil match abandoned after 10 red cards http://ift.tt/2ERvKDU
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Baftas: What the stars were talking about on the red carpet
From the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements to the films they made, the stars had a lot to say.
Bafta Awards 2018: (Most) stars wear black to bring Time's Up to Britain
Most guests at the Bafta Film Awards wear black to support the Time's Up and Me Too campaigns.
Baftas: What the stars were talking about on the red carpet http://ift.tt/2sDdNUW
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo
Bafta Awards 2018: (Most) stars wear black to bring Time's Up to Britain http://ift.tt/2Fd0lK2
The News of the World http://ift.tt/2myeSYo