Mauritania coup commander leads march in capital
(AP) - The general who masterminded Africa's latest coup appeared in public for the first time Thursday, leading a triumphal march on the streets of Mauritania's capital and declaring he is "determined to save democracy" in the Islamic nation.
Mia Farrow to air alternative 'Darfur Olympics'
(AP) - As the Summer Games open in Beijing, actress activist Mia Farrow is Web-casting her own "Darfur Olympics" from a refugee camp on the barren Sudan-Chad border, aiming to shame China into using its influence with Khartoum to end the Darfur conflict.
Kenya, Tanzania mark decade since US embassy bombs
(AP) - Douglas Sidialo woke up in a Nairobi hospital 10 years ago, devastated to find he had been blinded by flying glass after al-Qaida bombed the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
Young mother says Swiss diplomat kidnapped son
Police launched a criminal investigation Thursday against a Swiss diplomat and his Ugandan beauty queen wife over accusations by a young mother that the couple kidnapped her infant son.
Mauritania coup chief leads march in the capital
(AP) - The army general who successfully toppled Mauritania's government has led several thousand supporters in a march through the capital in a show of force.
Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz stood on the back of an open Land Cruiser wearing his military uniform and a green beret.
Police fire tear gas on Mauritanian demonstrators
(AP) - A day after army officers staged a coup in Mauritania, police have fired tear gas against protesters who are calling for the reinstatement of the country's toppled president.
New Maldives constitution allows multiparty polls
(AP) - Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom signed and adopted a new constitution Thursday that allows multiparty elections and other democratic reforms after decades of authoritarian rule.
The new constitution also creates for the first time independent bodies for human rights, the judiciary, police, defense, elections and investigation of corruption, government spokesman Mohammed Shareef said.
Kenya, Tanzania mark US embassy attack anniversary
(AP) - Kenya and Tanzania marked the 10th anniversary Thursday of deadly bombings at the countries' U. S. embassies, as police conducted a manhunt for the al-Qaida suspect believed to have masterminded the attacks.
Mauritania junta promises free elections "soon"
(AP) - A day after overthrowing the government in a coup, Mauritania's new military junta announced Thursday it plans to hold free and transparent elections "as soon as possible. "
The junta leaders did not announce a date for the elections nor did they specify a reason for toppling the 15-month-old government of President Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdallahi, the first freely elected president in this desert nation in over two decades.
Mauritania generals promise free elections
(AP) - The military generals who staged a coup in this desert nation announced Thursday they plan to hold free and transparent elections "as soon as possible. "
The junta leaders did not announce a date for the elections nor did they say their reason for toppling the 15-month old government of President Sidi Cheikh Ould Abdallahi, the country's first freely elected president in over two decades, according to the statement read on national TV overnight.
Generals oust Mauritania's elected leader
(AP) - Mauritania's first freely elected president in two decades was ousted by Army commanders after a bitter political fight over his ties to allies of a former dictator and overtures to Islamic radicals.
Mauritania leader ousted after political feuding
(AP) - Army commanders ousted Mauritania's first freely elected president in two decades Wednesday after an increasingly bitter political fight over his ties to allies of a reviled former dictator and his overtures to Islamic radicals.
Zimbabwe opposing parties jointly condemn violence
(AP) - Zimbabwe's main opposition party and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's party issued a joint communique condemning violence Wednesday, according to an opposition spokesman.
George Sibotshiwe, a spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change, said the communique was agreed to as part of a deal that opened the way to power-sharing talks.
S. Africa workers strike to protest power prices
Millions of workers angered at high electricity and other prices went on strike and marched in protest across South Africa Wednesday, bringing some gold mines to a halt, thinning traffic and emptying factories.
Indicted Sudanese president seeks help from rivals
(AP) - Rivals of Sudan's president are pressing him to make concessions at home and abroad in a bid to ward off international charges he ordered genocide in Darfur, a case they fear could wreck peace efforts and even plunge the country into civil war.