He pledged unity. But now PM hopes to tighten grip on war-torn Ethiopia
Elections this week could give PM even greater power, despite a regional conflict and a ‘man-made’ humanitarian crisis
Tens of millions of Ethiopians are expected to vote on Monday in crucial elections that could provide a launchpad for controversial prime minister Abiy Ahmed to consolidate his increasingly authoritarian rule.
Abiy, who won the Nobel peace prize two years ago after concluding a peace deal with neighbouring Eritrea, will face voters at the ballot box for the first time in Africa’s second most populous nation.
Just over a fifth of more than 500 parliamentary constituencies are not voting due to logistical problems, violence or the war in Tigray.
“Mama, Send Some Money”
A Family’s Journey from Cologne to the Islamic State
Their sons moved from Cologne to the war in Syria. They kept slaves and rose up the ranks of Islamic State leadership. Their parents would send them care packages with popcorn and Kalashnikov magazines.
By Özlem Gezer, Sarah Klosterkamp und Timofey Neshitov
The father is sitting at a white lacquer table and scrolling through the screenshots of the last conversation he had with his son. He says he hasn’t heard from him in weeks and that he has since deleted his number, which had been saved in his contacts for several years as "my Ismail.”
It’s an evening in April and he seems exhausted, his voice subdued. He has invited us into his living room in a Cologne suburb to talk about his sons’ ingratitude and about their mother’s mistakes. But not about his own.
Young Afghan writer and refugee seeks to break down walls, borders
Afghan refugee Parwana Amiri, 17, wrote her first book, "My pen won't break but borders will", about her experience of the Moria reception centre on the Greek island of Lesbos that was destroyed by fire in 2020. Now living in a different centre in Greece, she continues to write about the rights of refugees.
Amiri lives with her parents and sisters in a small cabin in the Ritsona reception centre near Athens, where authorities are erecting concrete walls to better control entries and exits.
But Amiri doesn't see the construction in a positive light.
What Raisi’s win means for Iran and the world
President-elect cleric is sanctioned by US for rights abuses and has no relevant experience in statecraft or foreign policy
It’s official: hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi is Iran’s new president and will formally succeed Hassan Rouhani in August. What’s less clear is the Islamic Republic’s new foreign policy and economic direction.
Raisi secured 17.9 million popular votes, accounting for 61.9% of the ballot in a preordained result marred by the disqualification of pro-reform and moderate candidates.
Raisi, a darling of the conservative establishment, saw his supporters celebrate in eastern Tehran on Saturday evening in defiance of millions of Iranians who boycotted the polls. As anticipated by many observers, voter turnout was a record low in the history of the Islamic Republic at 48.8%.
China has administered more than 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses
Updated 1213 GMT (2013 HKT) June 20, 2021
China has administered more than 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses, an astonishing milestone that comes as the country rolls out an unrivaled inoculation drive.
Covid: Brazil hits 500,000 deaths amid 'critical' situation
The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 500,000 in Brazil, the second-highest in the world, as experts say the outbreak could worsen amid slow vaccination and the start of winter.
The virus continues to spread as President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to back measures like social distancing.
The health institute Fiocruz says the situation is "critical". Only 15% of adults are fully vaccinated.
Congress is investigating the government's handling of the pandemic.
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