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At the city’s main military base, where Maduro lives, people were seen setting fire to the strongman’s election posters. The CNE, which is stacked with Maduro allies, has yet to issue final vote tallies from Sunday’s election. “Venezuela has the best electoral system in the world!” CNE president Elvis Amoroso announced before proceeding with the formal announcement. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives with his wife Cilia Flores for a ceremony where the National Electoral Council (CNE) certified he won the presidential election. Senior Biden administration officials on Monday said Venezuelan election authorities must release the “detailed precinct level results” from the election.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Esthefania Natera, ”, Maduro, Hugo Chavez, Elvis Amoroso, Nicolas Maduro, Flores, Matias Delacroix, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro’s, Edmundo Gonzalez, “, ” Machado, Machado, ” CNN’s Avery Schmitz Organizations: Caracas CNN —, CNN, Electoral Council, CNE, “, Maduro’s, Democratic, National Electoral, Monday, Venezuelan, Biden, Organization of American States Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, Falcón, “ Venezuela, States, Peru, Chile, Brazil, “, United States

CNN —Six decomposing female bodies were found in a quarry in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Friday, according to police, sparking a protest at a nearby police station. The identities of the dead or how long the bodies had been at the quarry were not immediately clear. “It appears to be a dumping site for bodies and I suspect there could be more,” Hussein Khalid, executive director of human rights group Vocal Africa told CNN. The CNN crew also filmed Kenyan police beating and later arresting some paramedics who were helping injured protesters in Nairobi. The decision was taken “upon reflection, and a holistic appraisal” of his cabinet, he told reporters from State House Nairobi.

Persons: ” Hussein Khalid, “, ”, Japheth, Douglas Kanja, Friday’s, William Ruto’s, Rigathi Gachagua, Musalia Mudavadi Organizations: CNN, Criminal Investigations, Africa, Kenyan, Kenya’s, State House Locations: Nairobi, State House Nairobi

☆ Kenya rocked by fresh protests despite president’s U-turn over tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Police in Kenya fired tear gas on protesters as a fresh wave of demonstrations swept the country, despite President William Ruto’s U-turn on controversial tax plans. In a surprise move on Wednesday, Ruto said he would not sign the finance bill, saying he had been “listening keenly” to the Kenyan people. “It’s more than about the finance bill now,” Maria, a Kenyan protestor from Nairobi told CNN. Some have called on President Ruto to resign for failing to withdraw the unpopular bill much earlier to save the lives lost. Others are seeking justice for the deceased protesters and demanding the recall of lawmakers who voted in support of the finance bill.

Persons: William Ruto’s U, ”, Ruto, ” Maria, Daniel Irungu, “, Mwangi, Moody’s, Herman Manyora, ” Manyora, ” Ruto, Manyora Organizations: CNN — Police, House, Security, State House, Kenyan, CNN, Civic, Law Society of Kenya, Monetary Fund, International, University of Nairobi Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, East, Kenya’s

☆ Kenyan President Ruto withdraws controversial finance bill following violent protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Lauren Kent | Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday that he will not sign a controversial finance bill that had sparked deadly protests in the country and left at least six people dead. “Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the finance bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill,” Ruto said during a television address Wednesday. But the concessions were not enough to quell protests amid the rising cost of living. On Tuesday they turned deadly when security forces fired teargas and live ammunition at protesters. “I send my condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner,” Ruto added.

Persons: William Ruto, ” Ruto, “, teargas, Ruto Organizations: CNN, Kenyan Locations: Kenya

☆ Kenya: Hundreds arrested as protests flare over tax hikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Protests have erupted in parts of Kenya, with hundreds detained by police as citizens rejected planned tax hikes in the East African nation already grappling with escalating living costs. Civil society groups said that at least 283 people have been arrested since Tuesday as protests flared over the proposed hikes. Among the taxes suspended was a 16% value-added tax on bread and a 2.5% tax on motor vehicles, a statement from Kenya’s presidency said. Amnesty International’s Kenya office said it was “deeply outraged by the arbitrary arrest of peaceful protestors” in Nairobi on Tuesday. An alliance of civil society groups called for the unconditional release of detained protesters, which it said included journalists.

Persons: Kenyan John Wills Njoroge, It’s, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, NTV, Kenyan Police Service, ” CNN Locations: Kenya, East, Nairobi, Mombassa, Mombasa, Kenya’s

☆ Angry farmers once forced India’s hardline leader into a rare retreat. As the election looms, they’re back
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Modi promised “a fresh start,” agreeing to meet the farmers’ demands and work with them to move forward. Police fire teargas to disperse farmers marching towards New Delhi during a protest at the Haryana-Punjab state border on February 21, 2024. It was a massive victory for the farmers, who pushed the Indian leader into a rare and uncharacteristic climbdown. The abject poverty and debt faced by many of India’s farmers has forced some to take extreme measures. “About 86% of Indian farmers are dependent on the markets.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Modi, “, ”, Narinder Nanu, Devinder Sharma, Gurpreet, Prakash Singh, Arjun Munda, Sharma, ” Sharma, ’ Modi, Arati Jerath, Jerath, ” X Organizations: CNN, Police, Getty, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Rapid Action Force, Bloomberg, Agriculture, India Brand Equity Foundation, country’s Department of Commerce, Farmers, “ Farmers, Roads Locations: New Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, AFP, Uttar Pradesh, China, India, Brazil, BJP, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Shambhu, Patiala district

☆ One killed as garment workers clash with police in Bangladesh over pay rise - police
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ruma Paul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Security forces remain vigilant in front of the garment factories, following clashes between garment industry workers and police over pay, at the Ashulia area, outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain Acquire Licensing RightsDHAKA, Nov 8 (Reuters) - One female worker was killed and several others were injured in Bangladesh on Wednesday during clashes between police and stone-throwing garment workers who are demanding a bigger pay rise, police said. Following a week of deadly clashes between garment industry workers and police over pay, the Bangladesh government on Tuesday said that the minimum wage would rise by 56.25% to 12,500 taka ($114) a month from Dec. 1, the first increase in five years. Police said they used teargas and rubber bullets to break up protests by hundreds of workers who rejected the new pay rise and took to streets in the garment hub of Gazipur, on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka. Low wages have helped Bangladesh build its garment industry, with some 4,000 factories employing 4 million workers, supplying brands such as H&M and GAP.

Persons: Mohammad Ponir Hossain, Ashraf Uddin, Ruma Paul, Sudipto Ganguly Organizations: Security, REUTERS, Rights DHAKA, Police, GAP, Thomson Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh, Gazipur

But supporters of the Palestinians say they feel blocked from publicly expressing support or concern for people in the Hamas-controlled enclave of Gaza without risking arrest, their jobs or immigration status. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin clamped a nationwide ban on pro-Palestinian protests last week, citing the risk of public disorder. In Germany, Berlin police have approved two requests for pro-Palestine protests since the initial Hamas attacks, a police spokesperson said. Even before the Hamas attack on Israel, Germany was restricting pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with Berlin authorities banning several on public safety grounds. On Wednesday, in response to an appeal against Darmanin's instructions, a court said local authorities should ban protests on a case by case basis.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Messika Medjoub, Gerald Darmanin, Olaf Scholz, Darmanin, doesn't, Benjamin Ward, Germany we're, Saleh Said, Felix Klein, Hortense La Chance, Riham Alkousaa, Thomas Escritt, Layli, Kate Holton, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Police, Hamas, REUTERS, Paris, Palestine, EU, Human Rights Watch, Reuters, Amnesty, Thomson Locations: Israel, Frankfurt, Germany, France, BERLIN, PARIS, Gaza, Paris, Berlin, Hungary, Austria, Europe, FRANCE, Palestine, London

☆ Supporters of Palestinians and Israel to protest and pray as war intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gather for mass Friday prayer during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Baghdad, Iraq, October 13, 2023. Hamas, which rules Gaza, urged Palestinians to rise up on Friday in protest against Israel's bombardment of the enclave, calling on them to march on the mosque and to confront Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank. The militant group said Palestinians should stay at the mosque through Friday, when Muslims hold large weekly prayers. Rallies were planned in Rome, Munich, Istanbul, Belgrade and other cities in support of the Palestinians and to protest against the bombing of Gaza. Israel has since been pounding Gaza with airstrikes and artillery fire in retaliation and more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed.

Persons: Moqtada al, Sadr, Saba Kareem, Michael Schudrich, Emmanuel Macron, Angus MacSwan, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, West Bank, Mount, Hamas, European Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Baghdad, Iraq, Israel, France, Aqsa, East Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina, Rome, Munich, Istanbul, Belgrade, United States, Warsaw, Poland, Paris

☆ Israel and Hamas at war: Latest news
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The United Nations World Food Programme said crucial supplies were running dangerously low in Gaza after Israel imposed a total blockade. * When Israel called up its reservists and declared war this week, the response was swift and overwhelming. [1/6]Israeli soldiers patrol following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, in southern Israel, October 11, 2023. * What are global firms with a presence in Israel doing after the Hamas attack? * Israel has raised $200 million in diaspora bonds since the war with Hamas began, Israel Bonds said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Kan, East Jerusalem's, Israel, Mahmoud Abbas, Violeta Santos Moura, Donald Trump, Netanyahu, Tayyip Erdogan, Wang Yi, Mohammed Deif, upends, Kazuo Ueda, Israel Bonds, Kristalina Georgieva, Stephen Farrell, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Hamas, United Nations, Food Programme, West Bank, Rights Watch, Britain, Royal Navy, REUTERS, White, Republican, Bank of Japan, * Airlines, Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Washington, Israel, East, East Jerusalem's Al, Aqsa, Lebanon, Egypt, Sinai, Sderot, Palestinian, Paris, Israeli, Jerusalem, Saudi, Lincoln

☆ Israel and Hamas at war: Latest News
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Scores of Israeli and foreign hostages were taken back to Gaza; Israel says it has identified 97 of them. [1/6]Israeli soldiers patrol following a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, in southern Israel, October 11, 2023. * The war falls under a complex international system of justice that has emerged since World War Two. * International airlines have suspended hundreds of flights to and from Tel Aviv following the attack by Hamas militants on Israel. * Israel has raised $200 million in diaspora bonds since the war with Hamas began, Israel Bonds said.

Persons: Israel, Antony Blinken, Kan, Mahmoud Abbas, Wafa, Donald Trump, Netanyahu, Tayyip Erdogan, Violeta Santos Moura, Wang Yi, Mohammed Deif, upends, Kazuo Ueda, Frida, Israel Bonds, Kristalina Georgieva, Georgieva, Stephen Farrell Organizations: United Nations, Food, Palestinian, El Al Airlines, Britain, Royal Navy, U.S, REUTERS, Bank of Japan, * Airlines, Carriers, Dutch KLM, Air France, U.S . State Department, Cyprus Airways, Hamas, Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Washington, Israel, Egypt, Sinai, United States, Asia, Israeli, Palestinian, Sderot, Paris, Jerusalem, Saudi, Europe, Larnaca, Tel Aviv

Macron's interior minister had earlier banned pro-Palestinian protests, saying they were "likely to generate disturbances to public order". "This event is an earthquake for Israel, the Middle East and beyond," Macron said in a solemn TV address. BANNED RALLYDespite the ban, several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in central Paris in separate groups that police forces sought to keep from merging. Macron has previously condemned the deadly attack by the Palestinian militant Hamas group and voiced solidarity with Israel. Two pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Paris had already been banned on Thursday for fear of outbursts when interior minister Gerald Darmanin told prefects to ban all pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country.

Persons: Gerald Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Let's, Charlotte Vautier, Layli Foroudi, Antonoa, Noemie Olive, Michel Rose, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Mark Heinrich, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, la Republique, French, Socialist, Green, Israel, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, la, Paris, PARIS, France, Gaza

☆ Madagascar presidential candidate shows injury after opposition rally teargassed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Madagascar Presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana addresses supporters, during a campaign rally at the at the Mahamasina stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar November 3, 2018. The Reuters witness said another former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was also present among their supporters who had gathered to march before the teargas was fired. Marchers were demanding changes to the officials running the election commission and for the formation of a special court to hear election disputes. The Indian Ocean island is hoping for its third peaceful election since an upheaval of 2009, when Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana in a coup. Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary; Writing by George Obulutsa in Nairobi; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marc Ravalomanana, Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina, Lovasoa Rabary, George Obulutsa, David Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Facebook, Police, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Madagascar, Antananarivo, ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar's, Nairobi

☆ Madagascar Presidential Candidate Shows Injury After Opposition Rally Teargassed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

It was not immediately clear what specifically caused the injury. A Reuters witness at the scene in the centre of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo confirmed police firing teargas at the supporters, who numbered in the hundreds. The Reuters witness said another former president Hery Rajaonarimampianina was also present among their supporters who had gathered to march before the teargas was fired. Marchers were demanding changes to the officials running the election commission and for the formation of a special court to hear election disputes. The Indian Ocean island is hoping for its third peaceful election since an upheaval of 2009, when Rajoelina ousted Ravalomanana in a coup.

Persons: Marc Ravalomanana, Ravalomanana, Andry Rajoelina, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Rajoelina, Lovasoa Rabary, George Obulutsa, David Holmes Organizations: Facebook, Police, Reuters Locations: ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, Madagascar's, Antananarivo, Nairobi

☆ One year since Mahsa Amini’s death, a protester shot in the eye during Iran’s crackdown continues her struggle from exile
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Adam Pourahmadi Sarah El Sirgany Jomana Karadsheh | Adam Pourahmadi | Sarah El Sirgany | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Milan, Italy CNN —Elahe Tavakolian’s shooter was so close, she could see him pointing his gun at her. Flares of dissent were slowly lighting up cities and small towns like Esfarayen in the northeast of the country, where Tavakolian was shot. Help!’” she tells CNN in an interview in Milan, Italy, where she has sought asylum. Tavakolian felt like her fight wasn’t over. Now fitted with a prosthetic eye in Italy, Tavakolian is coming to terms with her new reality.

Persons: Italy CNN — Elahe, ”, “, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tavakolian, ” Tavakolian, can’t, ‘, didn’t, ’, I’m, Mahsa, IranWire, ophthalmologists, Mark Esplin, Roberta Rei, she’s Organizations: Italy CNN, Iran’s, CNN, Taxi, Amnesty, UN, Rights, News Agency, Human Rights, San Locations: Milan, Italy, Iran

CNN —A wave of deadly protests has hit Kenya as anger over tax hikes and the cost of living spilled into the streets. Brian Inganga/APHowever, 10 months after being sworn into office, the cost of living has continued to rise, and the raft of new tax hikes have only made living conditions worse. But many Kenyans are unhappy about these policies that continue to worsen the country’s cost of living crisis. There’s a very high cost of living, and they already have many levies and taxes on their pay slips. The opposition leader Raila Odinga and his Azimio la Umoja (One Kenya) coalition have led calls for protests over hikes.

Persons: WIlliam Ruto, Here’s what’s, Herman Manyora, Ruto, Brian Inganga, he’s, ” Manyora, ”, Nagudi, “, Raila Odinga, Odinga, Opiyo Wandayi, lobs, Thomas Mukoya, Moses Odhiambo Organizations: CNN, UN, Veteran, AP, Kenyan, CNN . Riot, Reuters, Kenya Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, Mathare, COVID, Mlolongo, Machakos county

☆ Kenya: Demonstrators feared dead as protests flare over tax hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Protests broke out across Kenya, including the capital Nairobi, where Opiyo Wandayi, who leads the opposition in Kenya’s parliament told CNN that demonstrators railing against the tax hikes were forcefully dispersed by police. “I was involved in the Nairobi protests. A Kenyan opposition supporter kicks a teargas canister fired by Kenya Police officers during demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya on July 12, 2023. Kenyan opposition supporters react and throw stones towards Kenya Police officers during demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya on July 12, 2023. Luis Tato/AFP/Getty ImagesWandayi told CNN the tax hike has come at a steep cost for many Kenyans.

Persons: Opiyo Wandayi, “, ” Wandayi, ”, Luis Tato, Raila Odinga, Odinga, William Ruto, Wandayi Organizations: CNN —, CNN, ” CNN, Kenyan, Kenya Police, Citizen TV, Getty Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, AFP, Kajiado, Machakos ’ Mlolongo

☆ Protesters clash with Kenya police over tax hikes, two killed, officers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa and several other towns, according to Reuters reporters and footage aired on Kenyan television stations. Police officers patrolling the expressway, who did not give their names, told Reuters they had shot dead two protesters as they sought to repel an advancing crowd. You promised them that you are going to help them, but you didn't," Bernard Ochieng, a protester in Nairobi's informal Kibera settlements, told Reuters. The government says the tax hikes, which include a doubling of the fuel tax and the introduction of a levy to fund affordable housing, are needed to deal with growing debt repayments and to fund job-creation initiatives. At least six people were killed last Friday during protests called for by opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Persons: Raila Odinga, William Ruto, Young, Bernard Ochieng, Odinga, Thomas Mukoya, Jefferson Kahinju, Humphrey Malalo, Aaron Ross, Alex Richardson, Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Kenya Alliance, Police, Kenyan, Reuters, Kenya's, Thomson Locations: Read, NAIROBI, Nairobi, Mombasa

The interior ministry said 719 people were arrested on Saturday night, fewer than the 1,311 the previous night and 875 on Thursday night. Their action ... made for a quieter night," the ministry said on Twitter. The biggest flashpoint overnight was Marseille, where police fired teargas and fought street battles with youths around the city centre late into the night. MAYOR'S HOME ATTACKEDIn Paris, police increased security overnight at the city's famous Champs Elysees avenue after a call on social media to gather there. Paris police said six public buildings were damaged and five officers wounded overnight.

Persons: Nahel, Emmanuel Macron, Laurent Nunez, teargas, Juan Medina, MAYOR'S, Elisabeth Borne, Bruno Le Maire, Yann Wernert, Jacques Delors, Elizabeth Pineau, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Alison Williams, Alex Richardson Organizations: Authorities, Twitter, France, REUTERS, China's Consular, MAYOR'S HOME, Finance, Thomson Locations: Paris, North, PARIS, France, Moroccan, Nanterre, Germany, Marseille, China, L'Hay, Nice, Strasbourg, tobacconists, tatters, Berlin

☆ Rahul Gandhi's convoy stopped by Indian police in Manipur, teargas fired
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Supporters of Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party, speak with him after his convoy, heading to Churachandpur, was stopped by the police in Bishnupur district, Manipur, India, June 29, 2023. REUTERS/StringerGUWAHATI, India, June 29 (Reuters) - Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by local police on Thursday and teargas fired near his convoy when the 53-year old scion of the Congress party was on his way to visit the violence-hit northeastern Manipur state. Teargas shells were then fired to disperse a crowd that had started gathering in the area. "There is a possibility of a grenade attack along the highway through which Rahul Gandhi is moving. Gandhi's convoy returned to Imphal and he reached Churachandpur by helicopter, Meghachandra Singh, Manipur state Congress president, said.

Persons: Rahul Gandhi, India's, Stringer, teargas, Gandhi, Heisnam Balram Singh, we've, Meghachandra, Narendra Modi's, Zarir Hussain, Sudipto Ganguly, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Churachandpur, Bishnupur district, Manipur, India, Stringer GUWAHATI, Myanmar, Bishnupur, Imphal, Meghachandra Singh, Kuki

CNN —Sierra Leone’s President Maada Bio has taken an early lead in the country’s presidential election, provisional results showed. The election is considered a two-horse race between President Bio, 59, of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and 72-year-old former cabinet minister Samura Kamara, who leads the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party. Bio has so far polled more than a million votes and currently leads Kamara with over 200,000 votes, according to ECSL. Earlier, Bio’s SLPP party said it was “greatly anticipating a landslide victory” following an internal review of its performance in the elections. Hundreds of supporters of the opposition party, APC, hold up signs calling for the Chief electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh, to step down after allegations of electoral fraud.

Persons: Maada, Samura Kamara, Kamara, ECSL, Bio’s, Mohamed Konneh, John Wessels, Yvonne Aki, Sawyerr, “ Organizations: CNN, Sierra, Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone People’s Party, People’s Congress, Getty, APC Party Locations: Freetown

☆ Sierra Leone : Tensions mount ahead of high-stakes elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Sierra Leone is gearing up for crucial presidential elections on Saturday amid growing discontent and calls for change from its citizens. Sierra Leone has also faced devastating epidemics, including Ebola in 2014 and the Covid pandemic. President of Sierra Leone and Leader of Sierra Leone People's party (SLPP), Julius Maada Bio, addresses his supporters during his final campaign rally in Freetown John Wessels/AFP/Getty ImagesTwelve candidates are challenging Maada Bio, 59, in the general election, including the leader of the opposition ‘All People Congress’ (APC) party, Samura Kamara. ‘The people are tired’The mood in the country is tense as the country prepares for the high-stakes elections. Sierra Leoneans are concerned about several issues, including economic management, food shortages, healthcare services, infrastructure development, and education.

Persons: Julius Maada, Freetown John Wessels, Samura Kamara, Kamara, ‘, Mohamed Konneh, John Wessels, Sierra Leoneans, ”, Aminata Fanta Koroma, Kadira Rodhe Kamara, Bio, Ishmael Beah, ” Beah Organizations: CNN —, Getty, Congress, Police, European Union, International Monetary Fund, CNN Locations: CNN — Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone, Freetown John, Freetown, United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Germany, France, Sierra

☆ Angola fuel hike protesters clash with police
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LUANDA, June 17 (Reuters) - Angolan police fired tear gas in the capital Luanda and other cities Benguela and Namibe as thousands of protesters took to the streets a week after clashes over a recent fuel hike killed at least five people. President Joao Lourenco on June 8 fired the economic coordination minister and replaced him with the central bank governor in the wake of the deadly protests. Local media at the time quoted Angolan Economic Coordination Minister Manuel Nunes Junior, who was subsequently fired, saying the aim was to rein in government spending. On Saturday in Benguela, a large crowd of protesters holding cardboard placards were shown on social and local media as anti-riot police with batons and helmets patrolled the streets. In Luanda, police shot teargas to control the crowd, with TV footage showing at least one burning barricade spewing smoke.

Persons: Joao Lourenco, Africa’s, Manuel Nunes Junior, teargas, Miguel Gomes, Wendell Roelf, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Angolan, Angolan Economic, Police, Thomson Locations: LUANDA, Luanda, Benguela, Namibe, Nigeria, Angolan

☆ Kenyan police fire tear gas at protesters marching against finance bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NAIROBI, June 6 (Reuters) - Kenyan police fired tear gas at hundreds of people protesting near parliament on Tuesday against a proposed finance bill that would hike taxes on fuel and housing. Police fired tear gas to disperse about 500 protesters who marched to parliament to present a petition against the bill, a Reuters witness said. REUTERS/Thomas MukoyaEleven protesters were seen being detained by police. In downtown Nairobi, plain-clothed police officers were seen carrying an activist who held a placard that read: "Colonialism never really ended." Labour unions, including one representing health workers, also protested against the bill last week.

Persons: William Ruto, Thomas Mukoya, Ruto, La, Raila Odinga, Duncan Miriri, Bhargav Acharya, Alex Richardson, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Kenyan, Police, REUTERS, Labour, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, East, Nairobi, Kenya

☆ Kenyan cult leader to remain in prison after more than 100 followers die
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An investigator involved in the case, who did not wish to be identified, told Reuters that Mackenzie has denied ordering his followers to fast. Paul Mackenzie, 50, a Kenyan cult leader accused of ordering his followers of the members of the Good News International Church to starve themselves to death in Shakahola forest, appears at Malindi Law Courts, in Malindi, Kenya, May 2, 2023. Angry residents gathered and started throwing stones at the compound protected by a high wall and barbed wire on top. They later destroyed the front part of the wall, Komora said, adding that police had to fire teargas to disperse them. Most showed signs of starvation, while two children showed signs of asphyxiation, he said.

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