Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | South Africa on Tuesday postponed its State of the Nation address, the keynote political event of the year, as the ruling ANC party is roiled by a battle to unseat President Jacob Zuma. Zuma, in power since 2009, is fighting for his survival …
Read More »Zuma still South Africa president as ANC ‘divided’ on his fate
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Top officials in South Africa’s ruling ANC party are divided over whether President Jacob Zuma should step down after multiple graft scandals, the party’s deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte said Tuesday. Zuma is due to deliver the annual state of the nation address to parliament …
Read More »Mining industry eager for S.African leadership change
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | Renewed optimism about South Africa’s mining future coursed through the industry this week, focused on hopes of pro-business reforms under the ruling party’s new leadership. The world’s largest mining investment conference started in Cape Town on Monday, as the ANC party met to …
Read More »Britain hits back at Trump over attack on healthcare system
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Britain reacted angrily on Monday to a tweet from US President Donald Trump attacking its public healthcare system in the latest spat to strain US-UK ties, casting further doubt on his possible visit to London. “The Democrats are pushing for Universal HealthCare while thousands …
Read More »Fate of S.Africa’s Zuma hangs on Wednesday ANC meeting
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s ANC party will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, officials said, in a move that could force Jacob Zuma from office after the embattled president reportedly refused to resign. Zuma, whose tenure has been engulfed by corruption scandals, is due to deliver …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Eskom, the power giant at the core of S.Africa’s state rot
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | The name of Eskom, Africa’s largest electricity company, has become synonymous with the worst corruption scandals in South Africa and the utility could well become the final nail in the political coffin of President Jacob Zuma. The sacking of yet another of its short-lived …
Read More »Confidence grows for deal on new Merkel government
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Talks between the top German parties on forming a new government for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s fourth term spilled into overtime Monday but confidence appeared to be growing they would strike a deal. More than four months after Germany’s general election, marathon weekend negotiations failed to yield …
Read More »Two Kenyan TV stations shuttered by govt resume broadcasts
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Two television channels that Kenya’s government shuttered over coverage of a mock inauguration by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s rival resumed broadcasts on Monday. NTV and KTN News were ordered off the air for seeking to provide live coverage of Raila Odinga as he swore himself in …
Read More »South Africa’s ANC to hold emergency talks on Zuma’s future
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Senior members of South Africa’s ANC party were to hold an emergency meeting Monday to discuss whether Jacob Zuma should stay in office after the embattled president reportedly refused to resign. Zuma, whose tenure has been engulfed by corruption scandals, is due to deliver …
Read More »Anti-gay marriage lawmaker ahead in Costa Rica vote for next president
San José, Costa Rica | AFP | A conservative, evangelical lawmaker who fiercely opposes same-sex marriage emerged as the frontrunner to become Costa Rica’s next president, according to preliminary results from a first round election Sunday. Fabricio Alvarado of the right-wing National Restoration Party received 25 percent of the vote, …
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