Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | A South African court will rule Thursday on whether the suspicious 1971 death of an apartheid-era activist in custody was suicide, as police officers claimed, or actually a regime killing. For many, the case — the culmination of a relentless campaign by the activist’s family — …
Read More »Zambia ends emergency powers imposed during crisis
Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambia’s justice minister said Wednesday that emergency measures imposed at the height of a political crisis that followed the detention of an opposition leader on treason charges would not be renewed. The southern African nation was earlier this year rocked by soaring tensions that also saw …
Read More »Weinstein scandal envenoms US political feuds
Washington, United States | AFP | The sexual assault accusations against Harvey Weinstein have seeped into America’s partisan politics, with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton accused of waiting too long to disavow their friend and party donor. The politicization of the scandal came as the Hollywood producer faced claims he raped …
Read More »IMF chief urges more support for global trade
Washington, United States | AFP | IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde urged global leaders Wednesday not to reject international trade as policy shifts by Washington and London force resets on major global commercial treaties. Lagarde admitted that the rapid lowering of trade barriers in recent decades had caused significant dislocation, including …
Read More »Barcelona must remain in La Liga – club director
Barcelona, Spain | AFP | Barcelona must remain in Spain’s La Liga, club general director Oscar Grau said on Wednesday following the signing by Catalan leaders of a declaration of independence. “The budgets are based on participation in La Liga. I think that La Liga and Barca must continue together,” Grau …
Read More »Togo bans marches hours after opposition announces one
Lome, Togo | AFP | The Togo government on Tuesday announced a ban on all midweek marches, hours after the opposition announced plans for a rally next week in a campaign aimed at forcing out President Faure Gnassingbe. From Monday to Friday “all marches are banned. People can meet in a …
Read More »The rise of Kim Jong-Un’s sister and image maker
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | With her elevation to North Korea’s powerful politburo, leader Kim Jong-Un’s little sister — and chief image-maker — has established herself as the most powerful woman in the nuclear-armed state’s political hierarchy. Kim Yo-Jong’s promotion to membership of the North’s top decision-making body underlines, analysts …
Read More »Results expected Wednesday afternoon in vote to replace Liberia’s Sirleaf
Monrovia, Liberia | AFP | Counting was under way in Liberia on Wednesday following a peaceful poll that will determine President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s successor after 12 years and complete a historic democratic transfer of power. The first official results in the presidential and legislative elections are expected on Wednesday …
Read More »Mugabe reshuffle cracks down on dissent: state media
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet reshuffle quashed opposition within his government, state media said Tuesday, as the 93-year-old leader prepares to stand again in elections next year. Mugabe stripped Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa of his role as justice minister, reassigned the finance minister and created a …
Read More »Trump loses a key ally as Republican senator bites back
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump has often lambasted potential allies from his own party but now a Republican has punched back, alleging that the president’s reckless behavior poses a danger to America. Senator Bob Corker’s extraordinary weekend rebuke, in which he tweeted his dismay that “the White …
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