President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi of Egypt on Thursday swore in 21 New Provincial Governors, including the First Female Governor from the country’s minority Christian Community. Manal Mikhail has been appointed governor of the coastal city of Damietta, becoming the first-ever Christian woman to hold such a position, private newspaper al-Masry al-Youm reported. The 51-year-old woman’s previous […] …
Foreign politics
Ex-warlord Bemba appeals to DR Congo top court for right to run for president
Former warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba lodged an appeal with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s top court on Monday after he was banned from running in upcoming presidential elections. Bemba and five other candidates, including three former prime ministers, were barred by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) late Friday. The move sent shock waves through the […] …
You can’t speak with international leaders whenever you wish, advisers tell Trump
Aides to American President Donald Trump have informed him that due to geography and different time zones, he may not always expect to be put through to other leaders across the world whenever he wants to speak with them. They informed the American leader that he would have to work with international timing whenever he […] …
Election worker killed in tense Mali presidential run-off vote
A polling station chief was killed by suspected jihadists in northern Mali as security concerns disrupted a presidential runoff vote on Sunday. Security had been drastically boosted ahead of the election’s second round between President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and former finance minister Soumaila Cisse. But over 100 stations had to be closed in the […] …
We’re not involved in assassination attempt on Venezuelan president, U.S., Colombia say
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pointed the finger at Colombia following the alleged assassination attempt on him during a military parade in Caracas at the weekend. Early investigations, according to Maduro, also point to financial backers who live in the United States, in the state of Florida. Meanwhile the Colombian government has put the blame […] …
Six ‘terrorists,’ ‘hired killers’ arrested over Maduro attack
Six “terrorists and hired killers” have been arrested in Venezuela, as they are accused of trying to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro in an alleged drone attack, the government said on Sunday. Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol announced the arrests on state television, saying more could be on the way “in the coming hours.” […] …
American held in Vietnam for attempt to ‘overthrow state’
A Vietnamese-American man is being held in Vietnam for attempting to overthrow the state, his family and a US lawmaker said, calling for his quick release from the communist country that routinely jails its critics. Michael Nguyen is the second US citizen arrested in Vietnam in recent weeks for allegedly brushing up against politics in […] …
‘Release full results,’ Commonwealth observers urge Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
The Commonwealth Observer Group for Zimbabwe’s general elections has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release the elections results as soon as possible. The Chair of the group, John Mahama, in the interim report, said final results were yet to be released by ZEC and “requested all sides to be tolerant and peaceful while tabulation […] …
Counting underway as Mali concludes violence-marred poll
Counting was under way Monday in Mali following a key presidential election that saw balloting halted at hundreds of polling stations because of violence in restive regions of the poor Sahel country. Despite the violence, candidates and authorities praised Sunday’s first round of voting, relieved that the violence — which included the torching of […] …
Violence flares up as Malians vote in key election
Malians voted Sunday in a crucial presidential election as attacks disrupted polling in areas already beset by deadly ethnic and jihadist violence. Despite the deployment of 30,000 security personnel throughout the country, several incidents were reported in the north and centre. Rockets were fired on the UN mission camp in Aguelhok, in the northeast, […] …