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☆ Senate probe zeroes in on Harlan Crow tax deductions for superyacht used for Clarence Thomas vacations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Eamon Javers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

How Crow uses his 160 foot yacht has drawn the attention of Senate Finance Committee investigators, who are probing Crow's financial and personal ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas and his wife Ginni Thomas have taken several cruises aboard the ship, the Michaela Rose, including trips around Indonesia and New Zealand. Rochelle Charter, Inc., which was formed by the Crow family to lease out the yacht, reported tax-deductible business losses in 10 of the 13 years for which ProPublic has records. In order for business losses to be deducted from federal income taxes, a company must be engaged in an actual business with paying customers. "Mr. Crow engages professional accounting firms to prepare his tax returns and complies with tax law in good faith.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Al Drago, Harlan Crow's, Crow, Thomas, Ginni Thomas, Michaela Rose, Ron Wyden, Sen, Erin Scott, ProPublic, Wyden, Harlan Crow, Mr Organizations: U.S, Supreme, White, Washington , D.C, Bloomberg, Getty Images WASHINGTON — Billionaire, IRS, CNBC, Finance, Democratic, Reuters Tax, Inc, Internal Revenue Service Locations: Washington ,, Indonesia, New Zealand, Washington, Rochelle

☆ President Joe Biden wins South Carolina Democratic Primary, NBC News projects
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden has won the South Carolina Democratic primary, NBC News projects. Running against Biden were House Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and self-help author and 2020 Democratic candidate Marianne Williamson. NBC News' Decision Desk projects that Biden will be awarded all 55 Democratic delegates in South Carolina. South Carolina holds open primaries, which means any voter registered in the state is permitted to vote in either party's primary. The president did not win the 2020 Democratic primary in New Hampshire.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Donald Trump, —, Williamson, Phillips, Nikki Haley, Biden's Organizations: Flex, South Carolina Democratic, NBC, Biden, Democratic, Republican, South, Palmetto State, . South, The Palmetto, Democratic National Committee, DNC, Democratic Party Locations: U.S, West Columbia, South Carolina, Nevada, Las Vegas, ., . South Carolina, , New Hampshire, New Hampshire

FORT LAWN, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina state Sen. Mike Fanning likes to talk to people. Politically, South Carolina varies from its neighbors. No explanation is offered for the inertia, which leaves South Carolina and Wyoming as the only states in the nation without such a law. South Carolina Republicans, meanwhile, have taken advantage of the changing national priorities of both parties. They took over the South Carolina Senate in 2000 by getting a Democrat to switch parties.

Persons: Sen, Mike Fanning, he's, Fanning, Jim Clyburn, Republicans —, “ I'm, “, hasn’t, Shane Massey, “ Ole Yella, ” Fanning, —, Franklin Roosevelt, Strom Thurmond's, Jaime Harrison, Lindsey Graham, Harrison, Joe Cunningham, Henry McMaster, Cunningham, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, It's, Drew McKissick, ” McKissick, McKissick, Todd Hardee, David Beasley, Hardee, Biden, ” Organizations: —, Democrat, Democratic, Republican, Chevrolet, Democratic U.S, Republicans, South Carolina Republicans, GOP, Columbia, Old, Senate, Democratic Party, South Carolina voters, State Democratic Party, U.S, Democrats, South Carolina House, South Carolina Senate, South Carolina Republican, Trump Locations: — South Carolina, Great Falls, Washington, South Carolina, Charlotte , North Carolina, Columbia, Georgia, North Carolina, Palmetto, Black, Fanning’s, Fanning's, Wyoming, Rock Hill, Spain, U.S, Charleston, South, Darlington

☆ Joe Biden wins primary election in New Hampshire despite not even being on the ballot
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Democratic primary in New Hampshire was called for Biden on Tuesday. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday night despite not even appearing on the ballot. Biden did not appear on the ballot after the Democratic National Committee clashed with New Hampshire state leaders after the party decided to rearrange the primary schedule to make South Carolina's the first Democratic primary during the electoral season. Biden won without being on the ballot due to the help of local volunteers who mounted a campaign to pressure Democratic voters to write in the president's name on their primary ballots. The push to write in Biden on the ballot didn't go completely smoothly.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden, — wasn't, Dean Phillip, Marianne Williamson Organizations: Democratic, Service, Democratic National, New Locations: New Hampshire

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in Saturday following a disputed December election, promising to unite the Central African country during his second five-year term and to protect lives in the conflict-hit eastern region. We want a more united, stronger and prosperous Congo,” Tshikedi, 60, said during the inauguration ceremony attended by several heads of state. His first inauguration in 2019 marked Congo’s first democratic transfer of power since the country's independence from Belgium in 1960. Tshisekedi won reelection with more than 70% of the vote, according to the election commission. Tshisekedi became president in 2019 after emerging from the shadow of his father, who was one of Congo's most population figures.

Persons: Felix Tshisekedi, ” Tshikedi, Tshisekedi, ”, “, Félix Tshisekedi, ” Patrick Mbembe, Etienne Tshisekedi Organizations: —, Troops, East Locations: KINSHASA, Congo, Central, “, Belgium, Kinshasa, Eastern Congo, East African, Congolese

Last November, a state judge threw out the results of the Sept. 12 Democratic mayoral primary in Bridgeport and ordered a new primary to take its place. Here’s a look at what to expect on election night:PRIMARY DAY, PART 2The special do-over Democratic primary for mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, will be held on Tuesday. WHAT’S ON THE BALLOTThe Associated Press will provide coverage for the special Democratic mayoral primary in Bridgeport. It was 17% of registered party members in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary, down from 21% in the 2019 primary. Turnout for the first Democratic mayoral primary on Sept. 12 was about 17% of registered Democrats in Bridgeport.

Persons: Joe Ganim, Ganim, John Gomes, Gomes, David Herz, Lamond Daniels, Sen, Marilyn Moore, Joe Biden, Ganim eked, it’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democratic, Voters, Bridgeport, Press, WHO, AP Locations: Bridgeport , Connecticut, Bridgeport, City Hall, Connecticut

☆ John Fetterman paid George Santos $343 for a Cameo to troll Bob Mendendez
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Taylor Berman | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

John Fetterman bought a video from Santos to troll Bob Menendez, who is under investigation for bribery. Now he's made history again, as the first former congressperson to be used by Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to troll Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey via Cameo. "I thought my ethically-challenged colleague @BobMenendezNJ could use some encouragement given his substantial legal problems," Fetterman wrote on X. An attached video shows Santos giving advice to "Bobby from Jersey" about how to stay strong. AdvertisementA Fetterman spokesman told Business Insider that Santos posted the Cameo just 16 minutes after it was requested.

Persons: George Santos, John Fetterman, Santos, Bob Menendez, —, he's, Sen, John Fetterman of, @BobMenendezNJ, Fetterman, Bobby, y8iX55EyNi, Menendez Organizations: Service, Bob Menendez of New, Democratic Locations: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Jersey

☆ John Fetterman paid George Santos $343 for a Cameo to troll Bob Menendez
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Taylor Berman | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

John Fetterman bought a video from Santos to troll Bob Menendez, who's under investigation for bribery. Now he's made history again as the first former congressperson to be used by Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to troll Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey via Cameo. "I thought my ethically-challenged colleague @BobMenendezNJ could use some encouragement given his substantial legal problems," Fetterman wrote on X. AdvertisementA Fetterman spokesman told Business Insider that Santos posted the Cameo just 16 minutes after it was requested. Correction: December 5, 2023 — An earlier version of this story included a misspelling of Sen. Bob Menendez's name.

Persons: George Santos, John Fetterman, Santos, Bob Menendez, who's, —, he's, Sen, John Fetterman of, @BobMenendezNJ, Fetterman, Bobby, y8iX55EyNi, Menendez, Bob Menendez's Organizations: Service, Bob Menendez of New, Democratic Locations: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Jersey

☆ S.African lawmakers vote to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel, shut embassy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Supporters of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and various political parties including civil society groups gather in solidarity with the Palestinian people outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCAPE TOWN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - South African lawmakers voted on Tuesday in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire is agreed in its war with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, the Israeli ambassador in Pretoria was recalled to Tel Aviv for consultations ahead of the vote, which on Tuesday was resoundingly adopted by a 248-91 margin. Reporting by Wendell Roelf; editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Siphiwe, Cyril Ramaphosa's, resoundingly, Nelson Mandela, Pemmy Majodina, Wendell Roelf, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: National Congress, ANC, REUTERS, Palestinian, Hamas, Court, Fighters, EFF, Nations, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Africa, Hamas

☆ US presidential race: What are the key dates?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

- Nov. 30: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is seen as a future presidential candidate, will debate each other on Fox News. - Jan. 23: Tentative date of the first Republican presidential primary election, to be held in New Hampshire. - Feb. 3: First Democratic presidential primary, to be held in South Carolina. Democrats in Utah will also vote in their primary while Republicans hold their caucuses in the state. - June 4: The final states to hold their presidential primaries are scheduled to do so on this date.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsom, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Biden's, whittle, Costas Pitas, Jonathan Oatis, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS, Republican, Democratic Party, NBC News, Democrat, Fox News, Democratic, Democratic National Committee, , New, , New Hampshire Democrats, Republicans, South Carolina Republican, Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn , New York, U.S, Miami, Florida, California, Alabama, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, ,, , New Hampshire, Michigan, Alabama , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Maine , Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Texas , Vermont, Virginia, Utah, Alaska, Georgia , Mississippi, Washington, Hawaii, Arizona , Florida , Illinois , Kansas, Ohio, Milwaukee, Chicago

☆ Democrats in Congress Weigh Calls for Cease-Fire Amid Pressure From the Left
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Karoun Demirjian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

But few have embraced progressive Democrats’ demands for a complete and lasting cease-fire, even as pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets over the weekend to demand a total cessation of hostilities. Most Democrats, including some of Congress’s most influential liberal leaders, have argued that a full cease-fire would give Hamas time to regroup and launch another assault on Israel. President, the American people are not with you on this one,” Ms. Tlaib said. Representative Elissa Slotkin, also a Michigan Democrat, insisted in a series of posts on the social media platform X that Ms. Tlaib apologize. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democrat of Florida, also criticized Ms. Tlaib’s use of the slogan, as well as her calls for a cease-fire.

Persons: Biden, “ You’ve, You’ve, Israel’s, Bernie Sanders, “, ”, Richard J, Durbin, Mr, Rashida Tlaib, Ms, Tlaib, Elissa Slotkin, Slotkin, Debbie Wasserman Schultz Organizations: Israel, Hamas, CNN’s, White, Senate, Illinois, Democratic, United Nations, American, Defamation League, Michigan Democrat, Democrat Locations: Gaza, Israel, Vermont, CNN’s “ State, United States, Michigan, Jordan, Florida

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Protests in Mozambique over disputed local election results resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a civilian Friday, a corruption watchdog group said. The unrest followed Thursday's official validation of the election results, which gave the ruling Frelimo party victory in 64 out of 65 municipalities. A consortium of election observers had reported widespread ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and falsification of results in favor of Frelimo in the Oct. 11 elections. Demonstrators barricaded streets during the protests, which were concentrated in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, and the northern cities of Nampula and Nacala. In Maputo, main opposition party Renamo led its supporters in a march.

Persons: Renamo, Orlando Mudomane, Mudomane Organizations: —, Police, Riot, Center for Public Integrity, ___ AP Locations: MAPUTO, Mozambique, Maputo, Nampula, Nacala, Mozambican, Quelimane, Matola, Portugal, ___, africa

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Liberia's presidential election Wednesday appeared headed for a run-off, with the top candidates neck and neck and the votes nearly fully counted. Once the votes from this round are finalized, the run-off will take place within 15 days. The Oct. 10 election is the tightest in the nearly two decades since the end of the country's civil war that killed some 250,000 people. Weah won that election amid high hopes brought about by his promise to fight poverty and generate infrastructure development in Africa’s oldest republic. But Weah has been accused of not living up to key campaign promises that he would fight corruption and ensure justice for victims of the country’s civil wars.

Persons: —, George Weah, Joseph Boakai, Weah, Boakai, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s, Ibrahim Al, bakri Nyei, “, Sam Mednick Organizations: National Elections Commission, “, Ducor Institute for Social, Economic Research, Associated Press Locations: MONROVIA, Liberia, Nimba county, West, Africa’s, Dakar, Senegal

☆ Poland's toxic politics is splitting the country in two, one family at a time
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“We always end up talking about politics,” Karolina says with an exaggerated weariness. An increasingly toxic politics has polluted kitchens and dining rooms in every region of the country. But the negativity of the country’s politics – arguments echoed each hour on state TV, which is almost always turned on – has worn her down, she says. The efforts sparked years of legal challenges, protests and international confrontations – and hardened the Polish public. Asked whether Polish politics is more divided than they remember it, three generations of this family explode in agreement.

Persons: Karolina, “, – Stella, Patrycja, – Stella’s, Stanisława –, ” Karolina, ”, Stanisława, Stella Martynowska, Rob Picheta, PiS, –, ” Stella, Rob Picheta “, “ That’s, Stella, billows, Piotr Buras, ” Women’s, Donald Tusk, patsy, Tusk, Lech Walesa, Poland’s, Jarosław Kaczyński, ” “, ” Jacek Kucharczyk, Ewa Majewska, I’m, Igor Konior, Konior, Wanda, … I’m, ” Lucyna, Aleksandra Lukasiewicz, Lukasiewicz, “ It’s, “ We’re, ” Aleksandra Lukasiewicz, they’re, they’ve, Michal, I’ll, gesturing, ” Patrycja Organizations: Poland CNN, Soviet, Justice, CNN, European Council, Foreign Relations, Civic Coalition, Warsaw’s Institute of Public Affairs, Tusk’s Civic Coalition, PiS, Union Locations: Warsaw, Poland, Rob Picheta Poland, Polish, Hungary, Russia, Western Europe, Brussels, Berlin, Lublin, “, Rotterdam, Łódź, Bonita

ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter has always been a man of discipline and habit. The latest round includes a flood of messages from world leaders and pop culture figures donning “Jimmy Carter 99” hats, with many of them focusing on Carter’s four decades of global humanitarian work after leaving the Oval Office. The year Carter was born, Congress passed sweeping immigration restrictions, sharply curtailing Ellis Island as a portal to the nation. As governor and president, Carter set new marks for appointing Black Americans to top government posts. At 99, Carter’s Sunday online church circuit includes watching Georgia’s first Black U.S. senator, the Rev.

Persons: Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn, it’s, ”, Jason Carter, Carter, Donna Brazile, “ He’s, ” Jill Stuckey, “, Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter, He’s, Katie Couric, Bill Clinton, ” Clinton, It’s, Peter Gabriel, concertgoers, Republican Ronald Reagan’s, —, Roslaynn Carter, Joe Biden, Biden, Ellis, Reagan, Jim Crow, Georgia’s, Raphael Warnock Organizations: ATLANTA, Georgia Senate, The Carter, White, Democratic, Plains, White House, Habitat, Carter Library & Museum, Republican, House, Ku Klux Klan, Black, U.S, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Supreme Locations: Georgia, U.S, Guinea, United States, Madison, Atlanta, Iran, Delaware, Washington, Ebenezer, Carter’s

☆ Fetterman becomes first Democratic senator to demand Bob Menendez resign over corruption charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman is calling on New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez to resign. Fetterman said his colleague, facing corruption charges, shouldn't "wield influence" in the Senate. Menendez has resisted calls to step down, saying he is "not going anywhere." "Senator Menendez should resign," Fetterman wrote in a post on social media. Other leading Democrats have called for Menendez to leave Congress, including New Jersey Gov.

Persons: John Fetterman, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Fetterman, Menendez, Jersey Sen, corruptly, Andy Kim, Phil Murphy, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: New, Senate, Service, Democratic, , New, , New Jersey Rep, New Jersey Gov, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: New Jersey, Wall, Silicon, Jersey, Pennsylvania, ,, , New Jersey, Egypt

☆ Bob Menendez is rejecting the wave of calls for him to resign after his federal indictment, arguing that 'some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey has defiantly stated that he is not stepping down from office. Menendez on Friday was charged with taking hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes. "I am not going anywhere," he said in a statement, while also referencing his Latino heritage. "Bob Menendez is a disgrace who abused his Senate seat and allegedly betrayed his country for a couple hundred thousand dollars," Senate Republican campaign committee spokesman Philip Letsou said in a statement. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe indictment alleges that the senator "provided sensitive US government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt."

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Damian Williams, Andy Kim, he's, Phil Murphy, Josh Gottheimer, Donald Norcross, Frank Pallone Jr, Bill Pascrell, Mikie Sherrill, Jon Corzine, Philip Letsou, — Nadine Menendez — Organizations: Bob Menendez of New, Service, Democratic, Foreign Relations, Southern, of, Garden State, Saturday, Senate, Republican Locations: Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Wall, Silicon, of New York, New Jersey, Trenton, Egypt, Florida

Kim’s surprise announcement came as a growing number of Democrats are calling for Menendez to step down. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman became the first Democratic senator to do so, and several members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, along with the state's Democratic governor, have said he should resign. “This is not something I expected to do, but I believe New Jersey deserves better,” Kim said in a statement. But given the gravity of these charges, I do not believe that Senator Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state.”New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also demanded Menendez’s immediate resignation, saying the allegations were “so serious" that they compromise the senator’s ability to serve.

Persons: Andy Kim of, Sen, Robert Menendez, Menendez, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman, ” Kim, ”, Nadine, Menendez —, Chuck Schumer, Fetterman, Donald Norcross, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Mikie Sherrill, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Pascrell, Phil Murphy, Menendez’s, Democratic Sen, Cory Booker, Rob Menendez, David Schertler, “ Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Democratic, Senate, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign Relations, Democrat, New, ” New, ” New Jersey Gov, New Jersey Democrats, Authorities, Prosecutors, New Jersey Attorney Locations: Andy Kim of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Egypt, Jersey, New Jersey’s, ”, ” New Jersey

[1/2] Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party addresses supporters during his closing campaign rally, ahead of Sunday's presidential run-off, at the Plaza Central in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo, who won Sunday's presidential run-off by double-digits, is looking to retrace his father's footsteps more than 70 years after Arevalo senior broke a long period of dictatorship to become the country's first democratically elected president. "I'm not my father, but I'm traveling down the same road he built," Arevalo said last week during his campaign's closing rally. The family lived in Venezuela, Mexico and Chile before returning to Guatemala when Arevalo was a teenager. Arevalo took part in the pivotal 2015 protests, and a couple of years later helped create what would become the upstart Seed movement - Semilla in Spanish.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Juan Jose Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Alvaro Montenegro, Otto Perez Molina, June's, January's, Sofia Menchu, Diego Ore, David Alire, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Plaza Central, REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Central, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Central America's, Uruguay, U.S, Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, Israel, Spain

CNN —Anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arévalo, from the progressive Movimiento Semilla party, appeared to have won Guatemala’s presidential election on Sunday, beating former first lady Sandra Torres in a race marred by fears of democratic backsliding. With more than 95% of the ballots counted, Arévalo won 59.1% of the vote compared to Torres’ 36.1%, according to official data from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. A voter casts their ballot at a polling station during the presidential run-off election in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on August 20, 2023. Prosecutors and judges associated with the commission were arrested and investigated and many have since fled the country. Members of the media who have opposed corruption in their reporting have also faced legal consequences.

Persons: Bernardo Arévalo, Sandra Torres, Arévalo, Torres, Irma Palencia, “, ”, Alejandro Giammattei, Cristina Chiquin, Rafael Curruchiche, Department’s Engel, ” Curruchiche, José Rubén Zamora Organizations: CNN, Movimiento Semilla, Torres ’, Torres ’ Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, Reuters, US, Central, United Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, Central American, United States, United Nations, Guatemalan

☆ Rights groups appeal for justice over 2013 Egypt sit-in killings
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A general view of Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque, the site of a sit-in ending in clashes in 2013, in Cairo August 10, 2014. The clearing of the Rabaa al-Adawiya sit-in in Cairo on Aug. 14, 2013 marked the escalation of a crackdown against supporters of overthrown Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Mursi. Rights groups say more than 800 people were killed as security forces stormed Rabaa al-Adawiya, one of two squares in the capital where protesters had been camped out for weeks. Amnesty International said: "States with influence on Egypt must echo the demands of survivors, victims' families and human rights defenders for truth, justice and reparation." Supporters of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led Mursi's ouster as army chief and became president in 2014, say security measures taken at the time were needed to stabilise Egypt.

Persons: Rabaa, Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Mohamed Mursi, Abdel Fattah al, Mursi's, EIPR, Hossam Bahgat, Aidan Lewis, Sharon Singleton, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Muslim, Rights Watch, Amnesty, Egyptian, Personal Rights, Thomson Locations: Cairo, CAIRO, Egypt

☆ Guatemala elections: Troubled vote looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Torres won 16% of the first-round vote in June with Arévalo coming in with 11.8% of the votes cast. “Guatemalans wanted an option on the ballot where they can vote to reject the current political system. Moises Castillo/APThis is the third presidential cycle Torres has competed in, losing in 2019 to current President Alejandro Giammattei. Guatemala currently recognizes Taiwan, and Arévalo has said he would like Guatemala to have relations with both Taipei and Beijing. Congress is set to be largely controlled by establishment parties following this year’s elections, including the outgoing president’s Vamos party and Torres’ UNE.

Persons: CNN —, Sandra Torres, Bernardo Arévalo –, Torres, Arévalo, “ Guatemalans, ” Will Freeman, backsliding, Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Reuters Arévalo, Rafael Curruchiche, ” Curruchiche, “, ” Freeman, Bukele, Alvaro Colom, Moises Castillo, Alejandro Giammattei, Juan José Arévalo, Freeman, Thelma Aldana, Aldana, Luis Von Ahn, Torres ’ Organizations: CNN, Council, Foreign Relations, United, Public Ministry, Reuters, Movimiento Semilla, US State Department, US, European, Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, Getty, Duolingo, Torres ’ UNE Locations: backsliding, Guatemala, America, United Nations, Guatemala City, Spain, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, El Salvador, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing

This account of how Niger's coup unfolded is based on 15 interviews with Nigerien security officials, politicians, as well as current and former Western government officials. In his first address following the July 26 coup, Tiani said he had ousted the president for the good of the country. But in recent months, Bazoum had curtailed the size of the presidential guard, which was about 700-strong at the time of the coup, and started to scrutinize its budget. Issoufou was elected in 2011, a year after a previous military coup. Almost all the different branches of Niger's security apparatus had a member in the group, including the police, army, air force and presidential guard.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Mahamadou Issoufou, Regis, Mohamed Bazoum, Bazoum, Abdourahamane Tiani, Tiani, Keen, Issoufou, Spokespeople, swirled, Salifou Mody, Mody, Hassoumi Massaoudou, Amadou Abdramane, Ahmad Sidien, Moussa Aksar, David Lewis, David Gauthier, Michel Rose, Edward McAllister, Alexandra Zavis, David Clarke Organizations: Niger, REUTERS, Nigerien, Reuters, West African States, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Western, Niger Armed Forces, United Arab Emirates, National Guard, Thomson Locations: Sahel, French, Pau, France, NIAMEY, United States, Niamey, Diffa, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Russia, West Africa, Tiani, Nairobi, Villars, Istanbul, Paris, Dakar

☆ Protesters descend on French Embassy in Niger shouting 'long live Putin'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Omar Hama Saley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Niamey, Niger CNN —Tense and sometimes violent scenes played out in front of the French Embassy in Niger Sunday as thousands of people who support a military coup voiced anger over France’s influence in its former colony. Some protesters tore down a plaque identifying the Embassy, stomped on it and then replaced it with Russian and Nigerien flags. Shouts of “long live Putin,” “long live Russia” and “down with France” could be heard among the crowds. President Emmanuel Macron’s office said France would immediately retaliate against anyone who attacks French nationals or facilities in Niger. Niger’s military leaders may have found one potential ally: the country’s eastern neighbor, Chad.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Mohamed Bazoum, Putin, ”, Emmanuel Macron’s, Bazoum, Stringer, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, ‘ We’re, I’ve, Karimou Sidi, “ Organizations: Niger CNN, Embassy, Kremlin, Russian, Nigerien, Niger, National Council for, Homeland, Reuters, West African States, Sunday, ECOWAS, European Union, ” Locations: Niamey, Niger, stomped, Nigerien, Russia, France, Reuters Niger, Republic of Niger, ”, Chad, Niger’s, Africa ’ Niger, French, Kanto, Africa, ” Kanto, St, Petersburg, Ukraine, Sahel, Burkina Faso

CNN —A Niger general, Abdourahamane Tiani, appeared on state television as the country’s new leader following a military coup that sparked international condemnation. Tiani said in the broadcast that Wednesday’s coup was motivated by both the desire to “preserve our homeland” in a context of a “deteriorating security situation,” and poor economic and social governance. French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that the coup was “deeply dangerous for Niger and the whole region,” and called for Bazoum’s release. However, a senior official loyal to Bazoum has suggested there is discord among coup leaders. The aide spoke on condition of not being identified because of the security situation.

Persons: Abdourahamane Tiani, Tiani, “, Mohamed Bazoum’s, Abdourahamane, ” Bazoum, Mahamadou Issoufou, insurgencies, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, –, Catherine Colonna, Bazoum, ”, they’ve, United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Bazoum “, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Mahamat, General Antonio Guterres, Maj, Amadou Abdramane, ” Abdramane Organizations: CNN, African, AFP, Télé, Getty, Nigerien, Union, Bazoum, National Council for, ECOWAS, United Nations, African Union Commission, RIA Novosti, UN Locations: Niger, France, Télé Sahel, Sahel, AFP, Mali, Burkina Faso, United States, Papua New Guinea, Niamey

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