Beijing, China | AFP | Thousands of politicians from across China have converged on Beijing for the country’s annual legislative meetings known as the “lianghui” or “two sessions”. The gathering provides a glimpse into the country’s politics and priorities, and this year’s event is being monitored particularly closely for hints …
Read More »Erdogan likens Germany’s blocking rallies to Nazis
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Germany on Sunday for blocking rallies in support of him ahead of a vote on boosting his powers, likening the ban to “Nazi practices”. The attack came a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Turkish Prime …
Read More »Netanyahu says will not allow street to be named for Arafat
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday not to allow a street in an Arab Israeli town to be named after late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, promising new legislation if needed. The small Arab Israeli town of Jatt recently inaugurated Yasser Arafat Street in honour …
Read More »British ranch owner killed in Kenya land invasion crisis
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | A British man has been shot dead on his ranch in central Kenya, a local official said Sunday, blaming heavily armed herders responsible for land invasions in the area. Thousands of herders — some armed with spears, others with AK47s — have invaded private ranches …
Read More »Congressional panel will investigate Trump wiretap claim
Washington, United States | AFP | A Congressional committee will investigate President Donald Trump’s claim that Barack Obama tapped his phone during last year’s election campaign, the panel’s chairman said Sunday. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has been examining Russian interference in last year’s US presidential election. Devin …
Read More »South Africa weighs social media measures to fight fake news
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s state security minister said Sunday the government is considering a move to regulate social media in an effort to curb the proliferation of what he described as “false” information. “The false narrative in the social media, it’s one of the challenges that …
Read More »Mugabe back home after medical review in Singapore
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe returned home Sunday from Singapore where he had flown earlier this week for a medical review, his spokesman said. Mugabe returned “this morning”, spokesman George Charamba told AFP. He had travelled to Singapore Wednesday, just days after he celebrated his 93rd …
Read More »Trump expected to sign revised travel ban Monday
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump is expected to sign a revised travel ban on Monday, just over a month after his original decree sowed controversy across the United States and chaos at airports, US media reported. The president will sign the new executive order at the …
Read More »DR Congo detains guru leader of outlawed cult
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The Democratic Republic of Congo announced Saturday that it had detained the spiritual leader of the Bundu dia Kongo (BDK) movement, an outlawed group that has called for an insurrection against the government. A policeman and three BDK fighters were killed when the police …
Read More »US schoolgirl tapes her undocumented father being detained
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | A crying schoolgirl’s videotape of her undocumented father being arrested by federal agents in the Los Angeles area this week while taking his children to school has sparked emotion and outrage. Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, a 48-year-old Mexican who has lived in the United States …
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