Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s defiant opposition leader Julius Malema made a fresh push on Monday for the seizure of white-owned land by blacks, despite charges against him over similar calls. Just after appearing in court over land grab claims he made in June, Malema again urged …
Read More »Voter turnout ‘explodes’ among Blacks, Hispanics in US
Miami, United States | AFP | Voter turnout among African American and Hispanic voters in the United States has surged in early voting, and this swell of minority participation could spell trouble for Donald Trump’s White House hopes. On Sunday — the last day of early voting before Election Day …
Read More »China replaces finance minister Lou Jiwei
Shanghai, China | AFP | China Monday replaced finance minister Lou Jiwei, state media reported, with some analysts predicting more fiscal stimulus in the world’s second-largest economy. Lou was relieved of his duties and replaced by 59-year-old Xiao Jie, the deputy secretary-general of the State Council, or cabinet, Xinhua news …
Read More »Defying term limit, Honduran president to run in 2017
Tegucigalpa, Honduras | AFP | Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said Sunday he will seek re-election in 2017, reigniting debate on a single-term limit that has deeply divided the country and led to a previous president’s ouster. “I am going to be the next president of Honduras,” Hernandez said triumphantly …
Read More »Sudan security agents seize newspapers
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudanese security agents seized all copies of three newspapers Sunday, a journalists’ association said, just days after they covered a fuel price hike in reports seen as critical of the government. Members of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service, or NISS, took copies of …
Read More »Nigeria frees ex-president’s spokesman held in graft probe
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria has released a spokesman for former president Goodluck Jonathan held for allegedly diverting money meant to fight Boko Haram Islamists, an anti-graft official said Sunday. Reuben Abati was arrested and held for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since October 24 …
Read More »Trump rushed off stage by secret service in false gun scare
Reno, United States | AFP | White House Republican candidate Donald Trump was bundled off stage by security officers Saturday after a false gun scare during a campaign appearance. The US Secret Service, which provides security for presidential candidates, later said someone in the crowd had shouted “gun” but that …
Read More »Vatican: Failure in Venezuela talks could lead to ‘bloodshed’
Buenos Aires, Argentina | AFP | If upcoming Vatican-backed talks between Venezuela’s bitterly antagonistic government and opposition fail, the result could well be “bloodshed,” a papal envoy warned Saturday. “If one delegation or the other ends the dialogue, it’s not the pope but the Venezuelan people who will lose, because …
Read More »Gambia’s first female presidential candidate bows out
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | The Gambia’s first ever female presidential candidate has withdrawn from the race and will endorse the single opposition candidate challenging President Yahya Jammeh, she said Saturday. In a statement sent to AFP, Isatou Touray said she was dropping out of the contest “so as to …
Read More »South Africa’s Zuma: ‘I am not scared of jail’
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma put on a brave face Saturday at his first public appearance since the release of fresh evidence of alleged corruption at the top of the ANC government. “I have spent a lot of time in jail. I am …
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