Spanish rapper Pablo Hasel who barricaded himself inside a university to avoid a jail term has been arrested. Catalan police entered the University of Lleida and detained him a day after he arrived there with supporters, Hasel is facing a nine-month jail term for glorifying terrorism and slandering the crown and state institutions over tweets and lyrics that attacked the monarchy and police. He was due to hand himself in last week but defied the order, almost two hours after officers from the Mossos police force went in early on Tuesday, Hasel was led away shouting “they will never silence … Continue reading Protest erupts in Spain over rapper who was sent to jail

Saved by the Bell actor Dustin Diamond has died from cancer, his representative has said, the 44-year-old was best known for playing Samuel “Screech” Powers in the popular 1990s US sitcom about a group of high school friends and their headmaster. He had recently completed a first round of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lung cancer last month, his condition had deteriorated fast in the last week, said agent Roger Paul. “Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful,” he said on Monday. Saved by the Bell ran for four … Continue reading Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond dies aged 44

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has replaced the country’s top military commanders after months of pressure over his response to the worsening security situation in the country. Leo Irabor was named to the powerful Chief of Defence Staff post, which oversees the main military branches, the spokesman for the presidency said, while I Attahiru, A Z Gambo and I O Amao would command the army, navy and air force respectively. “President Buhari thanks the outgoing service chiefs for what he calls their ‘overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country’,” the presidency spokesman said, telling Reuters … Continue reading Nigerian President Buhari replaces top military commanders

The official Star Wars Twitter account has tweeted in support for Krystina Arielle, the host of the upcoming Star Wars: The High Republic Show, after she received online harassment. Tweets by Arielle surfaced of her speaking about the role white people play in upholding racism. She then started receiving racist abuse, and accusations of being racist, but Star Wars tweeted in support of her, stating: “Our Star Wars community is one of hope and inclusivity”. Ms Arielle was recently announced as the host of The High Republic Show, an upcoming web series about Star Wars: The High Republic, a new … Continue reading Star Wars supports High Republic host after racist abuse

A 13-year-old boy who was handed a decade-long jail sentence for blasphemy last year will now walk free. He was convicted by an Islamic court in August for making uncomplimentary remarks about God during an argument with a friend in northern Kano state, but a secular appeals court overturned the sentencing on Thursday, saying the child was a minor. Last year’s ruling by a Sharia court sparked international condemnation. The UN children’s agency, UNICEF, said it “negate[d] all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria – and by implication, Kano state – has signed on to”. … Continue reading Jailed 13-year-old boy wins appeal in Nigeria

A 38-year-old pop star is challenging one of Africa’s longest serving leaders in Uganda’s hotly contested election. Robert Kyagulanyi, known by his stage name Bobi Wine, says he represents the country’s younger generation, while Yoweri Museveni, 76, says he is standing for stability. The campaign has been marred by serious violence, which has seen dozens of people killed, the government has ordered a block on all social media. President Museveni says this was because Facebook had banned several accounts which backed his ruling party. Ugandan police say they will deploy officers on rooftops of the capital Kampala on election day, … Continue reading Yoweri Museveni faces Bobi Wine in Uganda’s presidential elections

Nana Akufo-Addo has been sworn in for a second term as Ghana’s president, hours after scuffles between rival politicians broke out in parliament. Soldiers were briefly deployed after the unusual scenes in one of Africa’s most stable democracies. The president defeated his main rival, former President John Mahama, in December’s tightly fought election, he faces the twin challenges of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and trying to boost the economy. Ghana has had more than 50,000 confirmed cases of the virus, and like many countries has experienced major economic disruption. Things came to a head in parliament while MPs were … Continue reading Ghana president Nana Akufo-Addo sworn in for a second term

Rebels in the Central African Republic have seized Bambari, the country’s fourth-largest city, five days before nationwide elections, according to the local mayor, government and UN sources. “The town is under the control of armed groups,” Bambari Mayor Abel Matchipata said on Tuesday, while a senior government official confirmed “they are in the town, we are waiting for reinforcements, which are on their way”. The attack follows the government’s accusations at the weekend that former president Francois Bozize was seeking to mount a coup with armed groups before upcoming elections. At CAR’s request, Russia and Rwanda have sent military personnel … Continue reading Update: CAR rebels seize Bambari city, Russia confirms sending military

The ex-president of the Central African Republic has denied, through his spokesman, that he is plotting a coup. On Saturday, the government accused François Bozizé of marching with a rebel alliance on the capital, Bangui, a week before a general election, but spokesman Christian Guenebem said he was in his house in Bossangoa. “If, in the minds of some men in armed groups he represents an alternative, that’s not François Bozizé’s fault”, he told French-language broadcaster RFI. “Perhaps it’s the fault of those who have failed to offer a credible alternative.” Tensions rose after Mr Bozizé’s candidacy for next week’s national … Continue reading CAR former president denies ‘attempted coup’

The government of Eswatini says Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini has died, four weeks after he tested positive for coronavirus. A government statement said Dlamini, 52, died on Sunday afternoon in hospital in South Africa, no cause of death was mentioned, but Dlamini had recently been receiving treatment for Covid-19 in South Africa. Dlamini had been prime minister of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, since October 2018. The tiny landlocked country in southern Africa is one of the last absolute monarchies in the world. With a population of about one million, the country has recorded 6,768 coronavirus infections and 127 deaths … Continue reading Eswatini’s PM dies after testing positive for Covid-19

US actor Harrison Ford is to reprise his role as adventurer Indiana Jones in the Disney movie franchise. The film, to be directed by James Mangold, is to be the 78-year-old actor’s fifth and final instalment as Indy. Disney made the announcement in a virtual presentation to investors where it also unveiled plans for Star Wars series spin-offs and Marvel series, the film is due for release in July 2022. In a 2013 interview, Harrison Ford had said it was “perfectly appropriate” for him to return as the adventurer. “We’ve seen the character develop and grow over a period of time … Continue reading Harrison Ford returns as Indiana Jones for fifth and final episode