Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon’s President Ali Bongo, out of the country since falling ill in October, suffered a stroke, his vice president said, providing the first official details of his illness. The 59-year-old leader left hospital in Morocco earlier this month and is recovering at a private residence …
Read More »Anti-Kabila rapper abducted in DR Congo: father
Bukavu, DR Congo | AFP | A rapper critical of outgoing President Joseph Kabila was abducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern city of Bukavu overnight, his father told AFP on Sunday. Akim Bufole Corneille, 26, was taken by unidentified people as he left a karaoke party, where he …
Read More »Anti-govt rapper abducted as DR Congo vote tensions rise
Bukavu, DR Congo | AFP | A rapper critical of President Joseph Kabila was abducted in the eastern DR Congo overnight, his father said Sunday amid rising tensions two weeks ahead of landmark elections. Akim Bufole Corneille, 26, was taken by unidentified kidnappers as he left a party in Bukavu, …
Read More »Haunted by colonial past, Belgium’s Africa museum reopens after revamp
Tervuren, Belgium | AFP | Belgium’s Africa Museum reopened on Saturday after a five-year restoration to repackage its looted treasures with a critical view of the country’s brutal colonial past. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander De Croo hailed a “historic moment” and said it would open “a new chapter” in Belgian-African …
Read More »New revelations in Russia probe: five things to know
Washington, United States | AFP | New filings by federal prosecutors have brought major revelations about Russian efforts to forge links to US President Donald Trump before the 2016 election and about illegal payments he allegedly ordered to bury potential sex scandals. Here are some of the key points contained …
Read More »France tells Trump to stop interfering in its politics
Paris, France | AFP | The French government on Sunday urged Donald Trump not to interfere in French politics after the US president posted tweets about the protests rocking the country and attacked the Paris climate agreement. “We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that …
Read More »Trump says chief of staff John Kelly leaving at year’s end
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced his chief of staff John Kelly will soon be leaving the administration, the latest key personnel move at a time of mounting pressure from the Russia election-meddling probe that comes amid increased focus on preparing for the …
Read More »Two dead in clashes with security forces in Togo
Lome, Togo | AFP | Togo’s opposition has accused the government of deploying police and soldiers in a brutal crackdown in which two protesters were killed during a rally against upcoming elections. Security forces fired teargas and fought running battles on Saturday with demonstrators in the capital, Lome, and several other …
Read More »What next if UK MPs reject Brexit deal?
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Theresa May appears likely to lose a historic vote on the Brexit deal she has struck with EU leaders in a crucial parliament vote on Tuesday. Defeat in the House of Commons is almost certain to lead to either a no-confidence vote …
Read More »Over 1,700 arrested in latest ‘yellow vest’ protests in France
Paris, France | AFP | More than 1,700 people were arrested across France during the latest round of “yellow vest” protests, in which demonstrators clashed with riot police, the interior ministry said Sunday. Clashes broke out in several cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon and Toulouse, during a fourth weekend of …
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