Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn resigned Thursday after long-running political turmoil, in an unprecedented move in the vast East African country. The decision by Hailemariam, in power since 2012, comes after months of escalating anti-government protests and signs of growing splits within the ruling …
Read More »S.Africa crisis: The Ramaphosa era opens
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s parliament on Thursday chose Cyril Ramaphosa, an anti-apartheid activist who became a wealthy businessman, to be president after Jacob Zuma, tarred by scandal, was forced from office. Here is a timeline of events behind the dramatic change of power: – Rise of …
Read More »S.Africa’s new president vows to tackle state corruption
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | Cyril Ramaphosa, a former anti-apartheid activist turned businessman, was named South Africa’s president Thursday and immediately vowed to fight corruption in a direct reference to accusations levelled at his predecessor Jacob Zuma. Tainted by scandal, Zuma resigned on Wednesday following intense pressure from …
Read More »Arsenal ease to victory, Batshuayi grabs Dortmund comeback win
Paris, France | AFP | Mesut Ozil scored as Arsenal eased to a 3-0 victory at Swedish minnows Ostersunds in the first leg of their Europa League, last-32 tie on Thursday, while Michy Batshuayi snatched Borussia Dortmund a dramatic win over Atalanta. Left-back Nacho Monreal put Arsenal into an early …
Read More »Facebook, Twitter not fully complying with consumer rules: EU
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The European Commission said Thursday that certain social media companies need to do more to fully comply with EU consumer rules, singling out in particular Facebook and Twitter. “While Google’s latest proposals appear to be in line with the requests made by consumer authorities, Facebook …
Read More »Advantage Ronaldo but Neymar warns it’s not over yet
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain face a huge task to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after Cristiano Ronaldo defied talk that his powers are waning with two goals as Real Madrid won 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie. Billed as a contest between World Player …
Read More »Grief as Zimbabwe opposition icon Tsvangirai dies
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe was plunged into grief Thursday following the death of veteran opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, roundly praised as a hero, champion of democracy and symbol of resistance who will be hard to replace. The former trade union stalwart who posed the most formidable challenge to …
Read More »Senegalese singer quits Oxfam role over sex scandal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Senegalese singer Baaba Maal is quitting his role as global ambassador for Oxfam over the British charity’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations concerning its staff, the BBC reported. “What has happened on a human level is disgusting and heart-breaking,” he told BBC Newsnight late …
Read More »Zuma’s five biggest career scandals
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African President Jacob Zuma has resigned from office with immediate effect, ending a controversial and turbulent period in the country’s political history. Zuma, 75, has been in power since 2009 and faced numerous allegations of corruption. Here are five of his biggest scandals: …
Read More »Porn star ‘free’ to discuss ties with Trump
Washington, United States | AFP | An American porn star who claims to have had an affair with Donald Trump before he became president now feels free to tell her story, her manager said Wednesday. After Trump’s longtime personal lawyer admitted paying $130,000 to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 …
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