Art with a diplomatic heart

In its debut episode, Inspire Middle East explores the power of art. In particular, the cultural dialogue sparked by the ancient artifacts and modern pieces housed within Louvre Abu Dhabi. The show drills down into what the museum represents and how, through the medium of art, the UAE is bridging cultures and reaching younger generations at home and abroad.

Painting the picture: The people behind Abu Dhabi’s Louvre

Since its opening in November 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has captured the world’s imagination through its contextual architecture and bold curatorial statement.

The collections bind different cultures, time periods and civilizations – bringing visitors on a harmonious journey across the globe and through time.

But, as seen in the very first edition of Inspire Middle East, the museum’s true pulse is the people who work there. They are the ones bringing the building, and its priceless artwork, to life – underpinning the museum’s purpose as a hub for interaction and cultural enrichment.

Controversial militia leader elected to Africa's top football body

A man accused by rights groups of atrocities in the Central African Republic (CAR) has been voted onto African football's governing body.

Patrice Edouard Ngaissona was elected to be the central zone's representative on the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football on Friday.

However, just four years ago he was the self-declared political coordinator of the mainly Christian Anti-Balaka militias in CAR.

Conjoined Zambian twins start life apart after historic surgery

Surgeons in Zambia have sucessfully separated seven-month-old conjoined twins in a landmark operation in the capital Lusaka, the Mwebantu news portal reports.

The surgery was done at the Women and New Born hospital in Lusaka. A senior medical superintendent at the facility told the media that the operation was completed at 16:58 hours local time.

“A lot of progress has been made. In fact great progress, … the twins have been separated. They were separated at exactly 16:58 hours.

U.S. arms embargo looms on war-ridden South Sudan - sources

The United States is set to announce an arms embargo against South Sudan on Friday, three sources familiar with the decision told Reuters, stepping up pressure against President Salva Kiir to end the country’s civil war and humanitarian crisis.

The State Department is set to make the announcement later on Friday morning, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The unilateral move would signal that the Trump administration has lost patience with South Sudan’s warring sides after ceasefires have been repeatedly violated.

Burkina Faso President reshuffles cabinet, replaces security minister

Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré on Wednesday carried out a government reshuffle, marked by the entry of nine ministers and the creation of a ministry for African integration, AFP learned from the President of Faso.

According to the presidential decree, Simon Compaoré, who was challenged by civil society, became Minister of State under the presidency of Faso, handing over the Security portfolio to Clèment Sawadogo.

Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba, who was also disputed, remains in office.

Two figures of civil society, Seyni Ouédraogo and Harouna Kaboré, entered the government by occupying the Ministry of Public Service and Labour and the Ministry of Trade and Industry respectively.