Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed Free State Stars 4-1 in the South African Premiership on Saturday, two days before flying to Japan for a maiden FIFA Club World Cup appearance. Percy Tau added to his rapidly growing reputation with two second-half goals as the Pretoria club …
Read More »Trump upends US foreign policy with Taiwan call
New York, United States | AFP | US President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades of foreign policy to speak with the president of Taiwan, prompting Beijing Saturday to accuse Taipei of a ploy but saying the move would not affect US-China ties. It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s telephone …
Read More »Kasese comes to terms with assault on Rwenzururu palace
Kasese, Uganda | AFP | Outside the mortuary in Kasese, grief-stricken families wait to find out if their missing relatives were among scores killed by Ugandan security forces at the weekend. Huddling in groups, some pull clothes over their mouths and noses to mask the sickening stench of the …
Read More »Angola’s President Dos Santos to stand down in 2017
Luanda, Angola | AFP | Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has ruled for 37 years, will stand down before next year’s general election, state radio said Friday citing sources in the ruling MPLA party. The autocratic Dos Santos, 74, became president in 1979, making him Africa’s second-longest serving …
Read More »Bolt wins unprecedented sixth Athlete of Year award
Monaco, Principality of Monaco | AFP | Sprint king Usain Bolt won an unprecedented sixth IAAF male Athlete of the Year award on Friday, Ethiopian Almaz Ayana picking up the female award after her record-setting 10,000m gold in Rio. “I live for the moments I walk into the stadium,” said …
Read More »Yahya Jammeh: devout and erratic leader of The Gambia
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who was defeated in this week’s poll, seized power in a 1994 coup and clung to office for 22 years with a blend of severity, mysticism and iron-clad self-belief. “No matter what people say about me, I am not moved… I …
Read More »Trump builds his team -and isn’t changing his style
Washington, United States | AFP | As a candidate, Donald Trump tore up the political rule book. As the president-elect, the Republican billionaire, who was back at work building his cabinet Friday, is showing no signs of tempering his unconventional style. On the heels of his first “thank you” …
Read More »Makerere University students granted bail
Buganda Road Court on Friday granted bail to four Makerere University students who had been jailed for participating in a unlawful assembly. Chief Magistrate Jamson Karemani released Paul Kato, Edmond Mugabi, Crispus Wasswa and Ronald Ainebyona on a non-cash bond of sh5 million each. They spent one month on remand …
Read More »F1 champion Rosberg announces shock retirement
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Nico Rosberg announced his retirement from Formula One on Friday, just five days after winning the world title for Mercedes in a move that stunned motor racing. “I took my decision on Monday evening. After reflecting for a day,” the German said in a statement …
Read More »Who is Adama Barrow, presidential winner in Gambia?
Adama Barrow: Gambia’s estate agent of change Banjul, Gambia | AFP | He is quiet, understated and until recently unknown, but now presidential election winner Adama Barrow has become the flagbearer for a new era of change in The Gambia. A political novice whose lack of baggage has endeared him …
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