Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | The EU warned Monday of possible violence in Kenya’s elections as it deployed observers ahead of the August 8 poll pitting President Uhuru Kenyatta against his longtime rival Raila Odinga. The European Union said the threat of poll clashes which pushed Kenya to the brink …
Read More »Singapore PM denies nepotism amid family feud in parliament speech
Singapore, Singapore | AFP | Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday strongly rejected as “baseless” claims from his siblings of abuse of power and nepotism as he faced parliament over a political drama that has shocked tightly-controlled Singapore. The leader was seeking to draw a line under an escalating feud …
Read More »DP President Emeritus Ssebaana Kizito is dead at 83
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT REPORTER| Former Democratic Party (DP) President John Ssebaana Kizito is dead. He was born in 1934. Ssebaana, also a former Uganda cabinet minister, Mayor of Kampala and a leading businessman, died at Nakasero Hospital on Monday. “Rest in Peace President Emeritus Dr. John Ssebaana Kizito. …
Read More »S.Africa’s Zuma faces parliament vote on Aug 8
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African President Jacob Zuma, who has been weakened by growing criticism from within the ruling ANC party, will face a vote of no confidence in parliament on August 8, officials announced Sunday. Opposition parties have pushed for the vote to be held in …
Read More »Now, Trump tweets video of him knocking down ‘CNN’
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on the news media Sunday by tweeting a video — bizarre even by his standards — showing him knocking down and beating a professional wrestling “villain” whose face had been replaced by a CNN logo. The …
Read More »Trump defends Twitter use after attacking media
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump defended his aggressive use of Twitter on Saturday just hours after firing off his latest volley in his escalating feud with US media. Following an early morning Twitter tirade at CNN, NBC and a morning show host he taunted as …
Read More »ANALYSIS: ‘Schoolmaster’ Xi leaves Hong Kong smarting
Hong Kong, China | AFP | A landmark visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hong Kong left little doubt that Beijing views the city as a destabilising hotbed of unacceptable political dissent that must prove its loyalty, analysts said Sunday. His three-day trip to celebrate 20 years since Hong …
Read More »UN demands electoral timetable for troubled DR Congo
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The United Nations on Saturday called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to publish a timetable for elections which are due by the end of the year. Under a deal brokered last New Year’s Eve, President Joseph Kabila agreed to a transitional arrangement …
Read More »China’s Xi draws ‘red line’ in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China | AFP | China’s President Xi Jinping said Saturday Hong Kong was freer than ever before but laid down an uncrossable “red line” for any challenge to Beijing’s authority as the city marked 20 years since it was handed back by Britain. Xi spoke in a televised …
Read More »Trump declares ‘patience is over’ with North Korea
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump declared that the US had run out of patience with North Korea over its nuclear drive Friday as he welcomed South Korea’s new leader Moon Jae-In to talks at the White House. While Moon has been arguing for greater engagement …
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