by Béatrice LE BOHEC PARIS, France (AFP) — Francois Hollande’s presidency has been overshadowed by an unprecedented wave of jihadist attacks, violent protests over labor reforms and revelations about his messy private life. Following are some of the defining moments of his mandate which began in 2012 and which he confirmed Thursday would be his last. Three major terror attacks Since January 2015, 238 people have been killed in a series of jihadist attacks, mostly […]
Other News
Space freighter burns up after launch to to ISS: Russia
by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — An unmanned cargo ship travelling to the International Space Station burned up in the atmosphere shortly after launch on Thursday, Russia’s space agency said. “According to preliminary information, as a result of an abnormal situation, the cargo ship’s loss occurred some 190 kilometers (110 miles) above the remote, unpopulated mountainous territory of (Russia’s) Tuva region, and most fragments burned up in dense layers of the atmosphere,” Roscosmos said […]
Golf: Holmes leads Challenge but Matsuyama on his heels
by Jim SLATER NASSAU, Bahamas (AFP) — When it comes to major breakthroughs, J.B. Holmes and Hideki Matsuyama hope they can follow the path of Jordan Spieth, who used momentum from a 2014 Hero World Challenge title to win two majors in 2015. Holmes fired an eight-under 64 to seize a one-stroke lead over Maruyama after Thursday’s first round of the 18-man Bahamas invitational event hosted by Tiger Woods, who made his return after a […]
NBA: Clippers coach Rivers fined $15,000 for outburst
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has been fined $15,000 following his angry outburst towards a game official, the NBA announced on Thursday. Rivers needed to be restrained by Clippers players after being ejected during his team’s 127-122 double-overtime defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Rivers later said he had been incensed by a technical foul against him. “The official, who had nothing to do with the […]
UN chief Ban apologizes to Haitian people over cholera epidemic
by André VIOLLAZ UNITED NATION, United States (AFP) — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday apologized for the first time to the people of Haiti for the role played by the world body’s peacekeepers in sparking a devastating cholera epidemic in the country. “On behalf of the United Nations, I want to say very clearly we apologize to the Haitian people,” he said three times — in Haitian Creole, French and English — to […]
Starbucks’ Schultz to step aside as CEO; stay on as chairman
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz will step aside as CEO but remain with the company as chairman, the coffee giant said Thursday in a surprise announcement that sent the share price down after hours. Schultz, who helped grow Starbucks from a sleepy chain in Seattle to an iconic global brand, will stay on as executive chairman and chairman of the board. The change is effective April 3. He will hand the reins […]
France’s Hollande says will not seek re-election
by Adam PLOWRIGHT Guy JACKSON PARIS, France (AFP) — French President Francois Hollande dramatically announced Thursday he would not seek re-election next April at the end of his five-year term as he bowed to historic low approval ratings. The withdrawal means the 62-year-old Socialist will be the first president of France’s fifth republic, founded in 1958, to quit after just one term. “I have decided that I will not be a candidate,” Hollande said in […]
Secretary Taguiwalo, Ambassador Gorely Inaugurate Australia-Supported DSWD Relief Goods Warehouse in Pasay City
Suggested photo captions:2: Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely delivers her keynote message during the inauguration of the Australia-Supported DSWD Relief Goods Warehouse in Pasay City. 12: DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo shows Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely the packing process of the Relief Goods for disaster aid response. MANILA, Philippines — Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely launched an enhanced humanitarian capacity of DSWD through the new Australian-funded warehouse at […]
Vajiralongkorn becomes Thailand’s new king
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) – by Aidan JONES Boonradom Chitradon Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn became the king of Thailand late Thursday, opening a new chapter for the powerful monarchy in a country still mourning the death of his father. The 64-year-old inherits one of the world’s richest monarchies as well as a politically febrile nation, and was proclaimed 50 days after King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death. After weeks of complex palace protocols the prince was invited by […]
UN rights team says ‘ethnic cleansing’ under way in S.Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan (AFP) – UN human rights experts on Thursday said “ethnic cleansing” was under way in South Sudan after visiting the country where violence has soared since a peace deal collapsed in July. “There is already a steady process of ethnic cleansing underway in several areas of South Sudan using starvation, gang rape and the burning of villages; everywhere we went across this country we heard villagers saying they are ready to shed […]
Gambia’s internet cut as ‘billion-year’ leader faces challenge
BANJUL. Gambia (AFP) – by Jennifer O’MAHONY Gambian President Yahya Jammeh faced the strongest electoral challenge of his 22-year rule Thursday as voters went to the polls, braving an internet and phone blackout the government defended as a security measure. After an unprecedented two-week opposition campaign that has energised his rivals, Jammeh rumbled into the capital’s cricket ground in a 4X4 and after casting his vote predicted his best score ever. “By the grace of […]
Thailand’s crown prince becomes country’s new king
(Reuters) Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, became Thailand’s new king on Thursday after he accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October. King Bhumibol, 88, was widely loved and regarded as a pillar of stability during decades of political turbulence and rapid development in the Southeast Asian nation. Prince Vajiralongkorn, who will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, according to a statement released by parliament’s […]





