Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Only two of five Kenyan stadiums earmarked to host the African Nations Championships (CHAN) in January 2018 are ready, a visiting CAF delegation said on Saturday. But the delegation led by CAF vice-president Constant Selemani brushed aside concerns that the 16-team championship, reserved for …
Read More »Gabon probes threats to leader before ICC visit
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon authorities said Saturday that they were investigating threats by a critic of President Ali Bongo, including an ultimatum to step down before the arrival of an International Criminal Court team next week. The threats included a warning that government buildings had been set with …
Read More »Russia get off to winning start in Confederations Cup
Saint Petersburg, Russia | AFP | Hosts Russia got off to a winning start at the Confederations Cup on Saturday, Fedor Smolov’s second-half goal sealing a 2-0 win over New Zealand in Saint Petersburg in the tournament opener. Russia went ahead in the first half of the Group A encounter …
Read More »UPDATE: 58 presumed dead in London tower block blaze
London, United Kingdom | AFP | The presumed death toll from the London tower block inferno jumped to 58 on Saturday as embattled Prime Minister Theresa May, accused of misreading the growing anger over the tragedy, pledged action after meeting survivors desperately seeking answers. Dozens of people were still missing …
Read More »US judge declares mistrial in Cosby sex assault case
US judge declares mistrial in Cosby sex assault case Norristown, United States | AFP | A US judge declared a mistrial Saturday in Bill Cosby’s sexual assault case with the jury deadlocked on whether the disgraced star drugged and molested a woman in 2004, as prosecutors vowed to seek a retrial. …
Read More »CRICKET: Kohli turns off social media ahead of Pakistan clash
London, United Kingdom | AFP | India skipper Virat Kohli admitted Saturday that he is steering clear of social media ahead of Sunday’s high-profile Champions Trophy final against bitter rivals Pakistan. Kohli, one of the superstars of world cricket, commands almost 16 million followers on Twitter and 14 million on …
Read More »Gated compounds keep the rich away from Cairo’s chaos
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Guards check drivers’ papers to keep out uninvited guests from gated compounds where Egypt’s rich can escape the chaos of Cairo’s streets in a country with a widening wealth gap. Built in the deserts around Cairo, some compounds offer amenities such as indoor and outdoor …
Read More »Vigilantes: Nigeria’s next security problem?
Maiduguri, Nigeria | AFP | In 2013, thousands of young men formed a rag-tag militia and rounded up Boko Haram members in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, then handed them over to the military. The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), as it later became known, was instrumental in driving the Islamist militants …
Read More »Rodman hails North Korea visit as a ‘good trip’
Beijing, China | AFP | Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman landed in Beijing Saturday after a visit to North Korea, describing the escapade as a “real good trip”. Sporting a baseball cap, sunglasses, green nail polish and a black t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of sponsor PotCoin — a …
Read More »TRUMP: I can tell you now that I am being investigated
Trump announces he’s being investigated Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump announced Friday he is under investigation in connection with a probe into alleged Russian election meddling that is gnawing away at his administration — and gathering pace. The Republican leader also lashed out at the …
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