Gaza City, Palestinian Territories | AFP | Egypt reopened its border with the Gaza Strip Monday for the first time in months to allow Muslims from the blockaded Palestinian enclave to travel to Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage, authorities said. “The crossing was reopened this morning for four days …
Read More »Zambia opposition leader Hichilema pleads not guilty to treason
Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambia’s detained opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema pleaded not guilty to treason Monday, ahead of a trial set to fuel political tension in a country previously known for its relative stability. Hichilema, leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), has been in custody since …
Read More »Moscow backs peace efforts by Libya rivals: Lavrov
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday backed the efforts of Libya’s military commander Khalifa Haftar and his rival UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj to reach a peace agreement in the conflict-ridden country. “We actively support the emerging trend to step up the process of …
Read More »Kenya president urges opposition to use ‘legal mechanisms’
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday appealed to the opposition to hold legal demonstrations, not street protests, and allow Kenyans to get back to normal life after last week’s disputed vote. “To our friends who have yet to accept the outcome, we continue to appeal …
Read More »‘UPDF has not, and will not deploy in Kenya’
‘Uganda army has not, and will not deploy in Kenya’ Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has refuted media reports that they are on standby to support security operations in Kenya. “The UPDF wishes to totally denounce these allegations which are totally false, alarmist and misleading,” said Brig. …
Read More »‘More alive than ever’, says Neymar after scoring debut
Paris, France | AFP | Neymar wasted no time in making an impact on the field for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring on his debut in a 3-0 win at Guingamp on Sunday and declaring himself to be “feeling more alive than ever”. The Brazilian world record signing was handed a start …
Read More »Mixed emotions as Bolt bows out
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Jamaican Usain Bolt said Sunday he was sad but also excited to bow out of athletics, adding that his disappointing world campaign in London would not change his career achievements. Bolt brought down the curtain on his glittering career in dramatic fashion when he …
Read More »White House defends Trump’s response to Virginia violence
Bedminster, United States | AFP | The White House on Sunday struggled to defuse the growing criticism of President Donald Trump’s initial failure to explicitly condemn white supremacists for their role in the violent protest Saturday in Virginia, insisting that his condemnation included all such groups. A woman died and …
Read More »Ronaldo sent-off, but Real roll over Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid made light of a red card for Cristiano Ronaldo to deal a further blow to Barcelona by winning 3-1 in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday. Ronaldo, only introduced as a second-half substitute, was shown two quickfire yellow cards …
Read More »Mama mia! Benin shock Nigeria in CHAN
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Benin shocked Nigeria 1-0 Sunday in African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying to complete a rare weekend of football celebrations for the tiny west coast country. On Saturday, Beninese Steve Mounie scored twice for promoted Huddersfield Town in a 3-0 triumph at Crystal Palace that …
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