Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump was hit with new accusations of racism Saturday after he attacked a prominent African-American lawmaker and branded the majority black city of Baltimore an “infested mess.” Trump’s outburst came in a series of sharply worded tweets aimed at Democratic Representative Elijah …
Read More »Morocco’s two decades under King Mohammed VI
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | Here are some milestones in the two-decade reign of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and facts on the North African country: – Breaks with father – On July 23, 1999, Mohammed ascends the throne at age 35 on the death of his father Hassan II, …
Read More »After a year of Trump pressure, US Fed struggles to communicate
Washington, United States | AFP | For the first time since the Great Recession a decade ago, the US Federal Reserve is poised to cut interest rates, shoring up America’s defenses as the global economy weakens. It will mark a striking about-face for the central bank, reversing a rate increase announced just …
Read More »State funeral for Tunisia’s Essebsi as new polls loom
Tunis, Tunisia | AFP | Thousands of Tunisians on Saturday attended the funeral of president Beji Caid Essebsi as the North African nation gears up for snap elections as early as September to defend the democratic gains of the Arab Spring. Essebsi, the country’s first head of state elected in …
Read More »Inter edge Neymar-less PSG on penalties
Macau, China | AFP | Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario scored the final spot-kick as Inter Milan beat Neymar-less Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Macau on Saturday. With their want-away Brazilian superstar left out of the trip to the former Portuguese colony, PSG were seconds from victory before Samuele Longo’s injury-time equaliser …
Read More »Sudan probe shows paramilitaries involved in deadly raid on sit-in
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | A probe into a deadly June raid on a Khartoum protest camp revealed Saturday that a feared Sudanese paramilitary group was involved in the crackdown that killed scores and sparked international outrage. Shortly before dawn on June 3, gunmen in military fatigues raided the site of …
Read More »Hong Kong protest anger targets symbols of Beijing’s rule
Hong Kong, China | AFP | Seething unrest in Hong Kong is taking on a more stridently anti-Chinese tone, with the target of public anger shifting from the city’s leaders to direct symbols of Beijing’s rule and the huge influx of mainlanders. The chants directed at Beijing’s egg-splattered Liason Office on …
Read More »Russian opposition plans election protest despite crackdown
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian opposition and ordinary Muscovites plan to take to the streets of Moscow Saturday to demand free and fair polls despite a police crackdown including the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. This week authorities jailed President Vladimir Putin’s top opponent for 30 days and launched …
Read More »Trump announces controversial asylum deal with Guatemala
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump announced Friday that a “landmark” asylum agreement has been reached with Guatemala, as the United States ratchets up pressure on its southern neighbors to stem the flow of migrants towards its border. The White House said Guatemala would now be considered a …
Read More »Missing or murdered: the grim fate of Tanzania dissidents
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Some turn up dead or injured. Others are never heard of again: A wave of kidnappings in Tanzania that appears to target critics of the government has set the nation on edge. In May, high-profile dissident Mdude Nyagali was snatched by four gunmen after leaving …
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