Nigeria: Ex-security adviser detained over missing billions
Africa / International News

Nigeria: Ex-security adviser detained over missing billions

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Agents from Nigeria’s intelligence and financial crimes agencies have detained the former presidential security adviser and several others over missing billions of dollars meant to buy weapons to fight Boko Haram. PR Nigeria, which publishes government news, said the Department of State Security on Tuesday took former national security adviser Sambo … Continue reading

Nigeria slashes telecoms company fine by a third to $3.4 bln
Africa / International News

Nigeria slashes telecoms company fine by a third to $3.4 bln

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria is slashing its fine on MTN, Africa’s largest telecommunications operator, by more than a third to $3.4 billion, and the CEO of the embattled Nigerian subsidiary has resigned, the company said Thursday. The South Africa-based MTN Group also announced major management changes to strengthen oversight and regulatory compliance across all … Continue reading

Africa / International News

Kenya police investigate university drill in which 1 died

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A leading Kenyan university should have sought authorization from the “highest security office in the country” for a practice exercise to test terrorism preparedness that led to a stampede in which one person died, a police spokesman said Tuesday. Police are discouraging institutions from carrying out drills on their own, said … Continue reading

Burkina Faso celebrates newly elected president
Africa / International News

Burkina Faso celebrates newly elected president

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso took a step toward strengthening its democracy with the election on Tuesday of Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who will become the West African country’s second elected civilian president since it became independent from France in 1960. Hundreds of Kabore’s supporters chanted “Presi, Presi” after preliminary results released Tuesday … Continue reading

Africa / International News

Kenya court sentences Briton terror suspect to 9 years

MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — A court in the coastal city of Mombasa Wednesday sentenced a British national, who authorities say is an extremist who plotted attacks against the country, to nine years in prison for attempting to illegally acquire Kenyan identification documents. Justice Martin Muya said Wednesday the prosecution has proved that Jermaine Grant had … Continue reading

Kenya police tears-gas protest against corruption
Africa / International News

Kenya police tears-gas protest against corruption

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan police Tuesday tear-gassed a peaceful demonstration in support of government action against corruption in East Africa’s largest economy. About 200 demonstrators held a peaceful march to the Supreme Court and Parliament buildings where they delivered petitions asking those institutions to do more to tackle corruption in Kenya, demonstration organizer Boniface … Continue reading

Ugandan gays hope the pope will speak out on their behalf
Africa / International News

Ugandan gays hope the pope will speak out on their behalf

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Gay activists are hoping Pope Francis will preach tolerance toward homosexuals, and even go so far as to condemn violent attacks against gays during his upcoming visit to Uganda. Church leaders, however, are praying he’ll avoid the issue altogether. The divergent expectations underscore the acrimonious state of the gay rights debate … Continue reading

Cheating accusations mar Zimbabwe’s ‘Mister Ugly’ contest
Africa / International News

Cheating accusations mar Zimbabwe’s ‘Mister Ugly’ contest

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Pageant judges have crowned a new winner of Zimbabwe’s 4th annual “Mister Ugly” contest, upsetting supporters of the crowd favorite who called the winner too handsome and prompting rioting at the event. Judges on Saturday chose 42-year-old Mison Sere, citing his numerous missing front teeth and a wide range of grotesque … Continue reading