Boris Johnson faces criticism over burka 'letter box' jibe

Boris Johnson is accused of stoking Islamophobia to boost his Conservative leadership ambitions.

Robert Redford says next film will be his last

Hollywood veteran Robert Redford says his next film will be the last movie in which he will act.

'Reckless' London driver threatens to run over cyclists

The man was filmed driving at speed towards cyclists in Clapham, south-west London.

Could Disney re-hire James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy?

The director was fired after some distasteful historic tweets were dredged up.

PepsiCo's Indra Nooyi: 'Everybody's watching you'

Departing PepsiCo boss Indra Nooyi is one of the world's most powerful corporate bosses.

Bologna crash: Tanker truck fireball kills two and injures dozens

Two people are dead and 60 injured after a traffic crash caused a huge explosion in Bologna, Italy.

Germany Wacken: Elderly men flee care home for festival

The ageing metalheads were discovered in the early hours of Saturday at a German metal festival.

Police respond to battle re-enactment

The "automatic assault rifle" fire turned out to be from a demonstration model.

Inside the Palo Alto penthouse which costs $35,000 per month in rent

It costs $35,000 per month, which has provoked a worried reaction from locals in Silicon Valley.

WWE star Jerry Lawler pays 'ring gear' homage to son Brian

Jerry 'The King' Lawler wears his son Brian Christopher's ring clothes during a match as a tribute.

Homes lost after mortgage computer bug

Wells Fargo, the third largest bank in the US, says it is planning to compensate those affected.

Chicago appeals for help after dozens shot over weekend

Police in the US city appeal for help after more than 60 people are shot in one weekend.

Indra Nooyi to step down as PepsiCo chief executive

Indra Nooyi, one of the world's most influential businesswomen, has held the job for 12 years.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Japan debates daylight saving to avoid heat

Bringing the clock forward two hours could prevent Tokyo 2020 athletes competing in blistering heat.

The extraordinary year of three popes in 1978

A look back at the dramatic events that saw three different popes over three months in 1978.

ENGIE to build 8 hybrid solar power plants in Gabon

The project will save the country 1 million litres of fuel oil per year, or 2,600 tonnes of CO2, and reduce generation costs by 30%

DAKAR, Senegal, August 6, 2018/ -- ENGIE (www.ENGIE-Africa.com) has signed an agreement with CDC, the Gabonese financial institution Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, to deploy eight hybrid solar power plants in Gabon, representing a combined capacity of 2.2 MW. The implemented solution was developed by ENGIE’s subsidiary, Ausar Energy in collaboration with CDC, the Gabonese Ministry of Energy, and the Gabonese energy and water company Société d'Énergie et d'Eau du Gabon (SEEG) and means that solar energy can be used in eight locations that are currently supplied by oil-fired thermal power stations. With construction set to begin in a few weeks, this project will contribute to the Gabonese Republic's proactive policy of using renewable energy – solar and hydropower – to increase the country's energy capacities. The project will save the country 1 million litres of fuel oil per year, or 2,600 tonnes of CO2, and reduce generation costs by 30%. Ausar Energy offers the African continent a hybrid solar power plant solution, with or without storage facilities, with capacities ranging from 50 kW to 2.5 MW. This solution is in line with ENGIE Group's strategy of promoting decentralised generation and distribution of electricity from renewable sources. This strategic priority is designed to ensure continuous access to energy in isolated areas that are not and cannot be connected to grids, as well as to limit the consumption of fuel oil, manage costs and reduce pollution.

South Africa: Ad Hoc Committee to Inquire into the Intervention in the North West Province to be briefed by Committee Researchers and Content Advisor

PRESS RELEASE

North West Provincial Government in terms of Section 100 of the Constitution will tomorrow be briefed by committee researchers and the content advisor on a consolidated report of all information and evidence received

PRETORIA, South Africa, August 6, 2018/ -- The Ad Hoc Committee to inquire into the Intervention in the North West Provincial Government in terms of Section 100 of the Constitution will tomorrow be briefed by committee researchers and the content advisor on a consolidated report of all information and evidence received, with recommendations for the way forward with the intervention in the North West provincial government. Details of meeting: Date:               Tuesday, 7 August 2019 Time:              14:00 Venue:            Committee Room V227, Second Floor, Old Assembly Building

Merck Foundation continues to strengthen their Merck Cancer Access Program in Gambia, Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe

MASERU, Lesotho, August 6, 2018/ -- Merck Foundation commits to improve patient’s access to quality and equitable cancer care in Africa.   Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation meets the First Ladies of Gambia, Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany continues their long term commitment to improve access to cancer care and to build capacity through their Merck Access Program in Africa. Dr. Rasha Kelej CEO of Merck Foundation met the First Lady of Gambia, H.E. Fatoumattah Bah-Barrow, First Lady of Lesotho, H.E. Maesiah Thabane, First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Neo Masisi and First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Auxillia Mnangagwa to discuss Merck Cancer Access Program and Merck Foundation long term partnership to build capacity in their countries in the fields of cancer, fertility and diabetes. “We are committed to lead Africa to a better future through changing the landscape of Cancer care in the continent. Our meeting today was an effort in the same direction. Merck Foundation has been actively working to realize our vision and achieve our objectives of building professional capacity with the aim to increase the limited number of oncologists in more than 17 African countries. We will now strengthen our efforts in more countries”, emphasized Dr. Rasha Kelej. So far, more than 30 candidates from Niger, Chad, Guinea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia, Botswana, South Africa, Gambia, Senegal, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius and Ghana have been enrolled in the one year and two year Oncology Fellowship Program in partnership with African ministries of health and First Ladies offices to be conducted in the University of Nairobi, Kenya, Tata Memorial Centre, India, University of Malaya, Malaysia, and Cairo University, Egypt. Merck Cancer Access Program builds cancer care capacity, supports the implementation and development of specialized healthcare solutions and is augmented by community awareness campaigns to contribute to the reduction of cancer incidences and improve survival rates. The lack of financial means is not the only challenge in Africa and developing countries, but a scarcity of trained health care personnel capable to tackle the prevention, early diagnosis and management of cancer at all levels of the health care systems is even a bigger challenge. Therefore, Merck foundation has conducted the Merck Oncology Fellowship Program focuses on building professional cancer care capacity with the aim to increase the limited number of oncologists in Africa and Developing Countries.

South Africa: Government Activities for the Week 06 - 12 August 2018

	JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 6, 2018/ -- Government has scheduled the following briefings/activities for the week: 06 – 12 August 2018. The activities, which are aligned to the National Development Plan and outlined in the Medium Term Strategic Framework 2014-2019, are undertaken to build a better South Africa. The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshekga and Eastern Cape Education MEC, Mr Mandla Makupula, will on Monday 06 August, mark the centenary of two South African Stalwarts, Mama Albertina Sisulu and former President Nelson Mandela in Elliotdale, outside Mthatha in the Eastern Cape at 10h00. In addition to celebrating the lives of these icons, the day will see learners, principals and various stakeholders commemorating the day with a special focus on Social Cohesion and Literacy in schools through the department’s ‘’Read to Lead’’ campaign. The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will on Monday 6 August, officially launch the TuksNovation High-Tech Business Incubator at the University of Pretoria, at the Hatfield Campus in Pretoria. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, will on Monday 6 August provide a progress report on the municipal recovery programme at the CoGTA Offices, in Arcadia, Pretoria Cabinet will hold its Lekgotla from the 7 to 8 of August at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. The Minister of Communications, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane will brief the media ahead of the Cabinet Lekgotla. The photo opportunity and address will take place on Tuesday, 7 August at 10h30. The Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Pinky Kekana will on Wednesday, O8 August, attend the Women’s Dialogue at the Major Sports Hall, Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Bellville Campus at 18h00. On 9 August the country will commemorate Women’s Day under the theme: “100 Years of Albertina Sisulu, Woman of Fortitude: Women United in Moving South Africa Forward”. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the key note address at the national event which will be held at Mbekweni Rugby Stadium, Paarl in the Western Cape. All members of the media are advised that the media briefings/activities are subject to change. However, the GCIS will update the media through advisories.

Lombok quake: Thousands evacuated after dozens die on Indonesia island

Witnesses speak of chaos and terror, as more than 90 people die on the island of Lombok.

Joel Robuchon, Michelin star French chef, dies aged 73

The celebrity chef owned a dozen restaurants across three continents and won 32 Michelin stars.

Bangladesh protests: How a traffic accident stopped a city of 18 million

Two children were killed by a speeding bus, prompting mass student-led protests in Bangladesh.

InfoWars podcasts dropped from iTunes

Apple removes hundreds of of episodes, saying that it "does not tolerate hate speech".

Diddy lived with the Amish and milked cows as a child

The rap mogul reveals he spent a "beautiful" summer in an Amish community when he was young.

Arsène Tchakarian: French Resistance fighter dies aged 101

President Macron called Arsène Tchakarian a hero "whose voice resonated strongly to the very end".

Lombok earthquake: Expert warns of strong aftershocks in Indonesia

An Indonesian geologist warns of strong aftershocks following the latest Lombok earthquake.

Santa Ana plane crash: Five dead as plane hits car park

A small plane has crashed into a parking lot in Santa Ana, California, killing everyone on board.

Australia backlash over far-right figure's TV interview

Sky News Australia says it was "wrong" to give airtime to a far-right figure with a criminal past.

Lombok earthquake: Destruction and death in Indonesia

Pictures from Indonesia show the extent of the damage after Sunday's deadly quake.

Saudi Arabia freezes Canada trade ties, recalls envoy

It comes after Canada criticised the arrest of campaigners including female activist Samar Badawi.

Hydropower dams: What's behind the global boom?

Developing economies around the world are investing in hydropower.

Trump admits son met Russian for information on opponent

It is his most direct comment so far on the purpose of Trump Jr's talks with a Kremlin-linked lawyer.

Singer Demi Lovato speaks out after suspected overdose

The US singer, who was taken to hospital for a suspected drug overdose, promised to "keep fighting".

In pictures: Expelled for being gay

Six Brazilian homosexuals speak to photographer Nayara Leite about rejection by their families.

Bonds of brotherhood behind bars in US

Brian Frank has focused a large part of his career on documenting the dynamics of prison life in the US.

Hong Kong artist photographs city's tram system

Artist Irene Flanhardt is a big fan of the region's "antique" transport system.

The tea rooms that brought Mackintosh back to life

One woman's mission to take the designer's famous Willow Tea Rooms back to its glory days.

US police find 11 starving children in New Mexico compound

Police searched the site after receiving a message that said: "We are starving and need food and water."