New York, United States | AFP | Once dismissed by many as a fringe candidate with wacky socialist ideas, Bernie Sanders campaigned to the brink of the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and has now set his sights on the White House once again. Sanders, a 77-year-old US Senator from …
Read More »Juan Guaido: the ‘kid’ taking on Venezuela’s Maduro
Caracas, Venezuela | AFP | Juan Guaido proudly calls himself a “survivor.” He will need to be: the bold young politician, head of Venezuela’s opposition-controlled legislature, became public enemy number one when he declared himself interim president Wednesday, defying embattled President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido did not set out to …
Read More »The victims of the Nairobi attack
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | The victims of a terror attack on a hotel and office complex in Nairobi include a Kenyan football blogger, an American who survived 9/11 and two best friends working to bring peace to Somalia. Here is a little bit more information on some of …
Read More »‘Without precedent:’ Trump drama enters Act Two
Washington, United States | AFP | Call Donald Trump an egomaniac, call him a showoff. Point out that he seems to revel in insult and outrage. The thing is, he might just agree. The uniqueness of the 45th US president extends to his pride in his brazenly unconventional persona. Trump …
Read More »Cosby: from US cultural icon to convicted sex offender
Norristown, United States | AFP | From US cultural icon blazing past racial barriers to convicted sex offender: Thursday’s guilty verdict will now likely see Bill Cosby, “America’s Dad” swap a life of wealth and privilege for prison. It was a name that once evoked so much — treasured father …
Read More »Male Mabirizi on managing a contentious life
Kampala, Uganda | AGNES E NANTABA | Hassan Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka was largely unknown until Aug.29, 2016 when he sued Buganda’s King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II over the land registration rationale in Buganda. Being a Muganda and as such the King’s subject, to many, Mabirizi did the unthinkable when he accused …
Read More »DOS SANTOS: Angola’s secretive leader heads towards exit
Luanda, Angola | AFP | When Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos steps down and his successor is chosen in Wednesday’s elections, it will bring to an end a 38-year reign dominated by his unrelenting authoritarian style. Though seldom seen in public, he has been a looming presence in daily …
Read More »Kenya’s dogged opposition leader Raila Odinga at a crossroads
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Raila Odinga has been Kenya’s prime minister and longtime opposition leader, but with results in from Tuesday’s general election, it seems he has once again failed to get the one job he’s always wanted: the presidency. This may very well be the end of the …
Read More »Uganda’s ‘Ghetto President’ music star becomes real life MP
Kampala, Uganda | Michael O’HAGAN | AFP | For the last decade Ugandans have known two presidents: Yoweri Museveni, the country’s long-time ruler, and musician Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a. Bobi Wine, a.k.a. His Excellency the Ghetto President. But in a surprising turn the 35-year-old music superstar — who was just three when Museveni took …
Read More »ANALYSIS: WHO reform a top priority for Ethiopia’s Tedros
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | The first African to head the World Health Organization, Ethiopia’s Tedros Adhanom, says he aims to replicate his success in turning around his country’s healthcare system on the global stage. The 52-year-old’s campaign focused on overhauling the UN health agency after its much-criticised handling …
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