Pope warns against losing humanity in ‘paradise of machines’
"If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment," Leo said after President Emmanuel Macron welcomed him to the presidential palace, on the first of four days in the country.
DR Congo anti-graft chief held in corruption case
The head of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s new anti-corruption agency was arrested on Friday after his organisation was accused of taking $30,000 from the Congolese affiliate of a Nigerian bank. Ghislain Kikangalao, coordinator of the APLC anti-corruption agency “has been placed in preventative detention for the requirements of the enquiry,” the agency’s spokeswoman Chouna […]
US blacklists Chinese companies including chip giant SMIC
The United States on Friday announced it has imposed export controls on 77 Chinese companies including the country’s biggest chipmaker, SMIC, restricting its access to US technology over its alleged ties to China’s military. The announcement in the final weeks of President Donald Trump’s term comes after relations between Washington and Beijing soured under his […]
China offers to work with Biden, warns of ‘ignoring common interest’
China’s top diplomat on Friday offered cooperation on key priorities of United States (US) President-elect Joe Biden, warning that Beijing’s many US critics were creating an atmosphere of “McCarthyism” and ignoring common interests. Taking aim at the hawkish approach of President Donald Trump, Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced hope for a return of talks and […]
Burundi ex-president, Buyoya, dies from COVID-19
Burundi’s former president Pierre Buyoya has died in Paris of Covid-19 at the age of 71, relatives said Friday, just weeks after he resigned as the African Union’s special envoy to Mali and the Sahel. Buyoya, who was credited with helping push democracy in the small African country but was accused of involvement in his […]
Cuba offers talks with Biden after Trump tensions
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday said he was ready to talk with US President-elect Joe Biden “on any subject” but vowed to protect his country’s sovereignty and socialist ideals. Cuba’s relations with President Donald Trump were badly strained, and on the campaign trail Biden vowed to change US policy towards the Communist island. “We […]
