AFP
13875 articles published since 08 Mar 2022
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Jailed Saudi woman tweeter shrugged off risk: friend
A Saudi woman given 34 years in prison for tweets critical of the government knew people were informing on her but did not take it seriously, a friend said Thursday. "We discussed people harassing her on Twitter and reporting her tweets to the security services online," the friend told AFP. "She didn't think the authorities would be interested in someone with less than 2,000 followers," she added.
Oil prices fall but inflation stays high
Oil prices have dropped by a quarter since June and could fall further if a nuclear deal is reached with Iran as it would bring more crude to the market, yet inflation remains stubbornly high. - Iran wildcard - The market, however, could fall again if Tehran reaches a nuclear deal that would allow the country to raise its exports, which are currently restricted by sanctions.
S.Leone opposition demands probe over deadly protest
Sierra Leone's main opposition party is calling for an independent probe into last week's deadly clashes and ensuing police raids that killed one of its well-known members. During one of those raids on Sunday in the city of Makeni, Hassan Dumbuya, alias Evangelist Samson -- a social media influencer and APC member -- was killed in crossfire, the statement said.
Huge complex of 500 standing stones found in Spain
A huge megalithic complex of more than 500 standing stones has been discovered in southern Spain which could be one of the largest in Europe, archaeologists told AFP Thursday. "It is a major megalithic site in Europe," he said.
Pope rules out sex assault inquiry into Canada cardinal
Pope Francis has ruled out a formal church investigation into a sexual assault claim against Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet after a preliminary inquiry found no basis for one, the Vatican said Thursday.
Ethiopia accuses Tigray rebels of refusing to talk peace
The Ethiopian government on Thursday accused Tigrayan rebels of lacking any interest in peace talks to try to end the devastating 21-month war in the north of the country. Abiy's spokeswoman Billene Seyoum said Thursday the government was continuing to call for a peaceful resolution of the conflict "despite there being not a shred of interest for peace by TPLF".
Kenya's outgoing president promises smooth transition
Kenya's outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged Thursday that there would be a smooth transition of power after a hotly disputed election whose outcome could be challenged in court. At a meeting with Kenyan religious leaders on Thursday, Kenyatta "assured them that the process of transition will be smooth", his office said in a statement.
Burkina Faso lashes 'ethnic cleansing' calls on social media
Burkina Faso's government on Thursday lashed calls on social media to attack the country's Fulani minority, describing them as a campaign for "ethnic cleansing" similar to the Rwanda genocide. Bilgo said the postings amounted to "active and direct calls for murder, mass killings, ethnic cleansing and sedition -- the tone and words used send shivers down the spine."
Kenya's election commission in eye of vote storm
Feuding officials, questionable calculations and accusations of intimidation and violence -- Kenya's election body is once again under the glare of public scrutiny. Chebukati insisted he had carried out his duty in accordance with the laws of the land despite facing "intimidation and harassment" and said he and other IEBC officials had been "physically attacked".
AFP
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