adminZuma appoints first black finance minister
PRETORIA. — President Jacob Zuma yesterday announced his new Cabinet. He appointed former junior minister Nhlanhla Nene to become the country’s first black African finance minister.
Islamic cleric slams Boko Haram
ABUJA. — The leader of Nigeria’s Muslims yesterday called for followers of the faith to unite against Boko Haram extremists, pledging the government full support to ensure their defeat.
Egypt goes to the polls
CAIRO. — Egyptians are expected to cast their ballots across the country today and tomorrow, fulfilling the next steps in the political roadmap announced by then-Defence Minister Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi on…
India’s Modi to be sworn in as PM
NEW DELHI. — Narendra Modi, who led BJP to an astounding victory in the parliamentary (Lok Sabha) polls, will be sworn in as the prime minister today in the forecourt…
Pope calls for end to ‘unacceptable’ Palestinian conflict
RAMALLAH. — Pope Francis came face to face with the daily reality of Palestinians yesterday, even touching the controversial separation wall, after calling for an end to the “increasingly unacceptable”…
Somali minister quits after Al-Shabaab attack
MOGADISHU. — Somalia’s national security minister has resigned after an attack by al-Shabab fighters on the country’s parliament. The resignation of Abdikarim Guled late on Saturday came after the group…
Tunisia foils attacks on tourist, industrial sites
TUNIS. — Tunisian authorities have arrested suspected Islamist militants from Libya and Tunisia who were allegedly plotting attacks against tourist and industrial sites, Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou said yesterday.
Venezuela to replace two mayors
CARACAS. — Venzeuelans in two cities went to the polls yesterday to elect new mayors two months after the opposition-member incumbents were dismissed and jailed for failing to prevent violence…
Sudan rebels launch ‘big offensive’ in Kordofan
KHARTOUM. — Sudanese rebels say they have launched a major operation against an area in South Kordofan which a controversial counter-insurgency unit showed off to journalists after “liberating” it last…
Ultimatum for Thai anti-coup protesters
BANGKOK. — Thailand’s ruling junta warned protesters it would not tolerate any further rallies against its coup after tense stand-offs yesterday between soldiers and angry crowds in the capital Bangkok.