Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in three states after a spate of deadly attacks by Islamist militant groups. In a televised address, the president said he had given the military powers to take over security in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. Goodluck Jonathan also ordered more troops to [...]
A new report by the UN food agency and the US-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network has found that nearly 260,000 people died during the famine that hit Somalia from 2010 to 2012. Half of them were children under the age of five, says the report. The number of deaths was higher than the estimated [...]
Botswana President Ian Khama needed stitches on his face after being scratched by a cheetah, officials say. The animal was reportedly being fed in its enclosure at an army barracks when it jumped up and scratched Ian Khama, who was standing nearby. The incident was “a freak accident, but not an attack”, government spokesman Jeff Ramsay told local [...]
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has suffered a mini-stroke and has been flown to hospital in Paris, the state news agency said. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, had a “transient ischemia” – a temporary blockage of a blood vessel often called a mini-stroke – an official told the APS news agency. But he said there was “no reason [...]
A car bomb has exploded outside the French embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, wounding two guards and causing extensive damage. The blast completely destroyed the embassy’s reception area and parts of neighboring homes. One official told Reuters news agency: “We think it was a booby-trapped car.” An investigation is under way into what French [...]
A rare blue diamond has been unearthed at Cullinan mine in South Africa. The 25.5-carat stone was recovered by Petra Diamonds at its Cullinan mine and is expected to bring large profits. Experts say the blue diamond could be worth more than $10 million, and the find gave a boost to Petra’s share price. Similar [...]
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda was reportedly “incandescent with anger” over her office statement labeling Madonna a bully. Joyce Banda said she was unaware of the critical statement that was issued by her office following Madonna’s recent visit to Malawi, senior officials have said. The statement accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to Malawi and demanding [...]
Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in as Kenya’s president after winning elections against Raila Odinga back in March. Dignitaries and tens of thousands of people witnessed the inauguration at a stadium in the capital, Nairobi. Raila Odinga did not attend the ceremony after his attempt to overturn Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in court failed. Uhuru Kenyatta [...]
Former South African President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from Pretoria hospital after treatment for pneumonia, the government has announced. Nelson Mandela, 94, was admitted on March 27 for a recurring infection of the lungs and had fluid drained from them. He served as South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is [...]
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has announced a decision to free all political prisoners in the country. In a speech at the opening of parliament, Omar al- Bashir also said the government was committed to a “national dialogue” with all groups. It was not immediately clear how many prisoners would be released under the announcement. The [...]
Mali’s army has been fighting Islamist rebels in the northern city of Timbuktu after a suicide bomber attempted to attack an army checkpoint. The bomber was killed before he could detonate his bomb on Saturday evening. This was followed by militant attempts to infiltrate the city. The army, backed by French air power, then moved [...]
Churches across South Africa are holding prayers for former President Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for four days being treated for pneumonia. Several hundred people gathered at the Regina Mundi church in Soweto – once a focal point of the struggle against apartheid. On Saturday, South Africa’s presidency said Nelson Mandela, 94, was [...]
Mauritius officials have said that at least 11 people have died after sudden rains caused flooding in capital Port Louis on Saturday. At least eight of the victims were caught in underground areas as the flood waters rose rapidly. Another died of a heart attack. Mauritius’ meteorologists said 152 mm (6 in) of rain fell [...]
Five members of the South African military have been killed in a helicopter crash at the Kruger National Park, officials said. The helicopter was patrolling the Kruger National Park on Saturday evening looking for rhino poachers. The patrol was routine and an investigation is under way. The poaching of rhinos is rampant in South Africa. [...]
Uhuru Kenyatta has fairly won the country’s presidential election, Kenya’s Supreme Court has ruled today rejecting several petitions challenging the vote. Chief Justice Willy Mutunga announced the decision, saying the poll was free and fair. The appeal was lodged by PM Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta’s main rival in the presidential poll this month. Official results [...]
According to Tanzanian officials, at least 17 people have been killed after a multi-storey building collapsed in the centre of Dar es Salaam on Friday morning. Commissioner Saidi Meck Sadick said 18 people had survived. He added that the search for other survivors was continuing. Earlier reports said some 45 people, including construction workers, residents [...]
At least three people have been killed and dozens more are trapped in the centre of the main Tanzanian city, Dar es Salaam, after a multi-storey building collapsed, rescue workers say. Thirteen people have been pulled out of the ruins alive, officials say. Some 45 people, including construction workers, residents and children from a Koranic [...]
Nelson Mandela has been re-admitted to hospital in South Africa with a recurrence of a lung infection. A statement from the South African presidency said former President Nelson Mandela, 94, had been admitted just before midnight. Nelson Mandela spent 18 days in hospital in December undergoing treatment for a lung infection and gallstones. He is [...]
Rupiah Banda, Zambia ex president, has been arrested in connection with a Nigerian oil deal, officials say. Rupiah Banda is accused of stealing more than $11 million during his three years in office, Reuters news agency reports. The former leader, who was stripped of presidential immunity earlier this month, was questioned for nearly three hours [...]
Rebels in the Central African Republic have taken the capital, Bangui, after President Francois Bozize fled. Witnesses reported gunfire as the Seleka rebel coalition took the presidential palace, followed by chaos and looting in the city centre. Francois Bozize arrived with his family in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a Congolese official said. The rebels, [...]
France has confirmed today that Islamist commander Abdelhamid Abou Zeid has been killed in fighting in Mali. Abdelhamid Abou Zeid was a senior figure in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Earlier, the French newspaper Le Monde said DNA samples had made it possible to formally identify Abdelhamid Abou Zeid. The Chadian army fighting alongside [...]
Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam, a close aide and cousin of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been arrested in Egypt. Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam was Tripoli’s special envoy to Cairo for many years and left Libya for Egypt shortly after the 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi. Although sought by the Libyan authorities, the charges against Ahmed Gaddaf [...]
The Supreme Court in Somalia has freed journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, who was imprisoned for interviewing a woman who alleged she had been raped by security forces. Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, 27, and his interviewee were jailed in February after being convicted of offending state institutions. In early March the woman was freed on appeal, but [...]
Kenya’s PM Raila Odinga has filed a Supreme Court appeal against Uhuru Kenyatta’s narrow victory in the recent presidential election’s first round. Uhuru Kenyatta beat Raila Odinga comfortably by 50.7% to 43.28% on March 4, avoiding a run-off by only 8,100 votes. However, Raila Odinga has accused the electoral authorities of manipulating the result. Police [...]
Zimbabwe starts voting in key referendum on a new constitution, amid simmering political tensions. Both main parties – Zanu-PF and the MDC – are urging their supporters to back the constitution, which would pave way for new elections later this year. The polls could end a shaky power-sharing deal between the rival parties following a [...]
Brazilian husband caught cheating wife as lover escapes from window
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Eurovision 2013: Azerbaijan inquiry into “nul points” for Russia
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Richard DeCoatsworth: Philadelphia police recommended bringing charges of witness intimidation against former officer
How Duck Dynasty couples met: Jep and Jessica Robertson
How Duck Dynasty couples met: Jase and Missy Robertson
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How Duck Dynasty couples met: Phil Robertson and Miss Kay
2013 Billboard Music Awards: Taylor Swift picks up 8 statues including Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist
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2013 Billboard Music Awards winners. Full list.
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China urges North Korea to release Yu Xuejun’s fishing boat captured for $100,000 ransom
Oklahoma tornado kills one person and injures dozens
Kim Kardashian cuts a striking figure in clingy long-sleeved black dress as she dines with Jonathan Cheban and her mother
Syrian troops seize strategic rebel stronghold in Qusair
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Anna Wintour bans Kris Jenner from Met Gala 2013
Yahoo buys Tumblr for $1.1 billion
John Lennon guitar sells for $408,000 at Julien’s Auctions
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: Nurses who looked after Boston bombing suspect could not stop themselves caring for him
Yahoo buys Tumblr for $1.1 billionYahoo's board has approved a deal to buy New York-based blogging service Tumblr for $1.1 billion, US media reports say. The acquisition is expected to be announced as early…
Obama administration knew IRS was targeting conservative groups since June 2012Obama administration knew since June 2012 about an investigation into complaints from conservative tea party groups that they were being harassed by IRS, and the probe was…
Zahra Shahid Hussain shot dead in KarachiSenior Pakistani politician Zahra Shahid Hussain has been shot dead in the southern port city of Karachi. Zahra Shahid Hussain was the senior vice-president of Pakistan's…
Phil Robertson, Miss Kay and Uncle Si do commercials for Clayton HomesDuck Commander Phil Robertson and his wife Miss Kay, the stars of Duck Dynasty, sliced some sweet potato pie and filled their audience in about Clayton Homes. “What do I…
Rome: Thousands rally to oppose Italy's austerity measuresThousands of protesters, led by trade unionists, have rallied in Rome against the policies of Italy’s new coalition government. Wielding red flags and placards, they urged…
Fast Food: Advertisements vs. RealityPhotographer Dario D was fed up with his fast food order not looking quite as appetizing as it did on the advert and decided to see how the food sold over the counter matched…