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 »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 »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 …
Read More »German veteran leader, EU visionary Kohl dies
Berlin, Germany | AFP | Germany’s longest serving post-war leader Helmut Kohl, the father of national reunification and an architect of European integration, died Friday at the age of 87. Kohl helped a Germany that was split during the Cold War between a capitalist west and a communist east make …
Read More »ANALYSIS: Dlamini would likely continue Zuma’s foreign policy
Pretoria, South Africa| BY PETER FABRICIUS| ISS TODAY| Later this month South Africa’s ruling party begins its five-yearly policy conference to determine the direction to be taken by the new African National Congress (ANC) president who will be elected in December. This is assuming that that person also becomes South Africa’s …
Read More »Why do opposition coalitions in Africa succeed or fail?
For the past two decades, the phenomenon of the opposition coalition has gained growing traction and interest across Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa| AFRICAN ARGUMENTS| BY NICOLE BEARDSWORTH | For the past two decades, the phenomenon of the opposition coalition has gained growing traction and interest across Africa. In 2000, a group of …
Read More »Angola prepares ‘golden’ retirement for president Dos Santos
Luanda, Angola | AFP | Angola’s government is preparing a golden parachute for the country’s president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, complete with first-class air travel and a chauffeur-driven car. And after 38 years in power, he will retire on a pension not far short of his current salary. A bill …
Read More »Confusion in Lesotho as incoming PM’s wife shot dead
Maseru, Lesotho | AFP | Just days before his inauguration, Lesotho’s incoming prime minister was left shaken Thursday by the murder of his estranged wife in a shooting highlighting the political uncertainty which has long gripped the mountain kingdom. Thomas Thabane’s 58-year-old wife Lipolelo, was shot dead Wednesday in Ha …
Read More »Trump finally makes call for unity after lawmaker shot
Washington, United States | AFP | A grave Donald Trump called on Americans to unify after the shooting of a Republican lawmaker and three other people Wednesday at a baseball field, striking a notably less partisan tone in response to his first major domestic crisis. From the Diplomatic Room of …
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