Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump insisted there was “zero chaos” in his crisis-hit White House and railed against enemies in the media, politics and the courts Thursday, in a meandering first solo news conference. The 70-year-old US president vented frustrations, wondered out loud about a “nuclear …
Read More »Ugandan refugee serves up coffee and life lessons in California
Berkeley, United States | AFP | A coffee shop that recently opened in California is serving customers more than just steamy cups of latte or espresso, offering an additional true life lesson about an issue roiling the country — refugees. Founded by Rachel Taber and Doug Hewitt, 1951 Coffee …
Read More »A month later, Nigerian president Buhari absent but ‘healthy
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | The leader of Nigeria’s Senate on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari was well after visiting him in London, trying to dispel rumours about the state of his health. Bukola Saraki on Wednesday travelled to the British capital with the majority leader in the Senate, Ahmed …
Read More »Ex-boss of Nigerian oil firm being probed over $10mn cash ‘gift’
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | A former head of Nigeria’s state-run oil company is under investigation after almost $10 million in cash was found at a property he owns. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an anti-corruption agency, said it had seized $9.8 million (9.2 million euros) from a …
Read More »US Secret Service chief to retire
Washington, United States | AFP | US Secret Service chief Joseph Clancy will retire in early March, the elite agency tasked with protecting the US president said Tuesday. A former head of US President Barack Obama’s detail, Clancy returned from a previous retirement to steer the agency two years ago, …
Read More »White House tries to insulate Trump from Russia scandal
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House battled Tuesday to insulate Donald Trump from a scandal over his top aide’s contacts with Russia, as it emerged that the president was aware of the problem for weeks before acting. With calls for an independent investigation gathering pace, the White …
Read More »Melania Trump reopens White House for tours
Washington, United States | AFP | After pressure from lawmakers, First Lady Melania Trump announced Tuesday the White House will reopen to the public in early March, nearly seven weeks after her husband Donald became president. White House tours are highly popular with visitors to Washington, a perk arranged by …
Read More »Gambia to remain in ICC, notifies UN of change
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | The Gambia’s new government has asked the United Nations to halt the process of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) begun by the regime of former leader Yahya Jammeh. The Hague-based court, set up in 2002, is often accused of bias against African nations, …
Read More »Flynn resigns as Trump’s national security advisor
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House announced Monday that Michael Flynn has resigned as President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, amid escalating controversy over his contacts with Moscow. In his formal resignation letter, Flynn acknowledged that in the period leading up to Trump’s inauguration: “I inadvertently briefed …
Read More »South Sudanese general Swaka resigns, citing ‘ethnic cleansing’
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | A senior South Sudanese general has quit, accusing President Salva Kiir and top members from his majority Dinka tribe of “ethnic cleansing,” according to a resignation letter obtained by AFP Sunday. Lieutenant-General Thomas Cirillo Swaka is the country’s deputy chief of general staff for logistics …
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