Tensions flare between far right, Macron camp ahead of France vote

Tensions flare between far right, Macron camp ahead of France vote

By Paul Aubriat, Tom Barfield and Stuart Williams Tensions soared on Thursday between supporters of Emmanuel Macron and the French far-right after its longtime leader Marine Le Pen cast doubt on the president's ability to act as head of the armed forces after legislative elections. The far-right National Rally (RN) is tipped to win the election, potentially giving Le Pen's party the post […]

June 27, 2024 10

World

Former Chinese defence minister expelled from Communist Party: state media

Former Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu has been expelled from the ruling Communist Party, state media said Thursday, after he was sacked abruptly last year in unexplained circumstances. "The Politburo... has decided to expel Li Shangfu from the party, terminate his credentials as a representative of the 20th National Congress, and transfer his suspected criminal issues to military procuratorial organs for review and prosecution in accordance with the […]

June 27, 2024 23

World

Ultraconservative candidate exits Iran presidential race

Ultraconservative Amirhossein Ghazizadeh-Hashemi has announced his withdrawal from Iran's presidential race, the interior ministry said Thursday, a day ahead of the election. Ghazizadeh-Hashemi "announced his withdrawal to the Ministry of Interior" on Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement. Vice president to former president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May, Ghazizadeh-Hashemi ended his campaign without endorsing a specific candidate. Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, 53, is […]

June 27, 2024 22

Sport

Sri Lanka coach Silverwood quits following World Cup failure

Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood resigned on Thursday following the country's failure to reach the last eight at the T20 World Cup. The 49-year-old former England coach quit for "personal reasons", Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement, thanking him for his "valuable contributions during his tenure." Sri Lanka won only one match at the tournament, against the Netherlands, and finished third behind South Africa and Bangladesh […]

June 27, 2024 8

Sport

Turkey edge into Euros last 16 with tense win over Czechs

Turkey reached the knockout phase at a major tournament for the first time in 16 years after a bad-tempered 2-1 win over a battling 10-man Czech Republic at Euro 2024 on Wednesday. Vincenzo Montella's Turkey finished second in Group F behind Portugal to progress, as the Czechs were eliminated despite a brave performance on a sweltering night in Hamburg. "Tonight we just want to celebrate, we deserve it," […]

June 27, 2024 6

Sport

Georgia make history by reaching Euro 2024 knockouts

Georgia are through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Portugal, a historic triumph in the former Soviet Republic's first appearance at a major international tournament. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's fine finish with less than two minutes on the clock in Gelsenkirchen and Georges Mikautadze's 57th-minute penalty ensured Georgia would claim the greatest football victory in the Black Sea nation's history. Georgia's players celebrated with […]

June 27, 2024 14

Sport

South Africa thrash Afghanistan by nine wickets to reach T20 World Cup final

South Africa thrashed Afghanistan by nine wickets to reach the final of the T20 Cricket World Cup for the first time on Wednesday. After skittling Afghanistan for 56 at Trinidad's Brian Lara Stadium, the Proteas cruised to their victory target, finishing on 60-1. South Africa's left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3 for 6) and pacer Marco Jansen (3-16) spearheaded the demolition of a suspect Afghanistan batting line-up for just […]

June 27, 2024 15

Africa

Sudan warring sides using starvation as weapon: UN experts

Both sides in Sudan's brutal civil war are using starvation as a weapon of war, UN experts said Wednesday, charging that foreign governments providing them military support were "complicit" in war crimes. War has raged for more than a year between the regular military (SAF) under army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. […]

June 26, 2024 15

Local

Botswana President Masisi to Officiate at SWAiTEX 2024

The 9th edition of the NCCI Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX) kicks off on the 1 st to the 6 th of July 2024 at the Vineta Sports stadium in Swakopmund. The event’s Official ceremony scheduled for the 3rd of July 2024 will be attended by H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, the President of the Republic of Namibia and H.E. Dr. Makgweetsi E.K. Masisi, the President of […]

June 26, 2024 75