AFCON 2019 Qualifiers: Uganda Cranes earn maximum points away to Cape Verde

AFCON 2019 Qualifiers (Group L):

• Cape Verde 0-1 Uganda Cranes
• Tanzania 1-1 Lesotho

Uganda Cranes cast aside the travel hitches as they registered a hard fought 1-0 victory away to Cape Verde in the 2019 AFCON group L qualifier at the Estadio da Varzea arena in Praia city on Sunday night.

Delays in departing from Dakar, Senegal prompted CAF to postpone the fixture by 24 hours as it was moved from Saturday to Sunday.

Second half substitute  Geofrey Sserunkuma scored a late strike as the veteran center forward galvanized a splendid performance away from home and inspire the Uganda Cranes to a promising start of the campaign code named ‘Project Cameroon 2019’

Six Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region.

They say Qatar backs militant groups including so-called Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, which Qatar has denied.

The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact with the tiny peninsula of Qatar.

Qatar called the decision "unjustified" and with "no basis in fact".

The unprecedented move is being seen as a significant split between powerful Gulf countries, who are also close US allies.

It comes in the context of increased tensions between Gulf countries and their near-neighbour Iran. The Saudi statement accused Qatar of collaborating with Iranian-backed militias.

What has happened?

The diplomatic withdrawal was put into motion by Bahrain then Saudi Arabia early on Monday. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Yemen and Libya followed suit.

SPA cited officials as saying the decision was taken to "protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism".

The three Gulf countries have given Qatari nationals two weeks to leave their territory.

In the latest developments:

• The UAE has given Qatari diplomats 48 hours to leave the country. Abu Dhabi accuses Qatar of "supporting, funding and embracing terrorism, extremism and sectarian organisations," state news agency WAM said
• UAE airlines Etihad Airways, Emirates and Flydubai said they would suspend all flights to and from Qatari capital Doha from early Tuesday, local time
• The Gulf allies said they had closed their airspace to Qatar Airways, which has suspended all its flights to Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain's state news agency said it was cutting its ties because Qatar was "shaking the security and stability of Bahrain and meddling in its affairs"
• The Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels also expelled Qatar from its alliance because of its "practices that strengthen terrorism" and its support to groups "including al-Qaeda and Daesh [IS], as well as dealing with the rebel militias", according to SPA.

French Open bans Hamou over attempts to kiss reporter on live TV

Tennis player Maxime Hamou has been banned by the organisers of the French Open after he tried to kiss a female reporter repeatedly during a live TV interview.

The French player, 21, kissed journalist Maly Thomas while holding her around her neck and shoulders, despite her efforts to duck away.

The French Tennis Federation (FTT) condemned the "reprehensible behaviour" and ordered an investigation.

Hamou has apologised for his actions.

The incident happened after he was knocked out of the first round of the competition on Monday.

It is the latest case to provoke allegations of harassment of female sports reporters.

Several anchors and commentators on the Eurosport programme Avantage Leconte laughed and clapped as it unfolded.

The episode drew ire on social media, including from French politician Cécile Duflot.

"He kisses her by force, she tries to get away, he holds her by the neck and everyone... laughs #tired," the Green MP wrote on Twitter (in French).

Quoted by the Huffington Post France, Ms Thomas described the player's actions as "frankly unpleasant".

"If I hadn't been live on air, I would have punched him."

Campaigning Starts in Kenya

NAIROBI — 

In Kenya, the official campaign period has begun as the electoral body clears candidates to run for the presidency. The commission is calling on the candidates to maintain peace during the August polls.

Kenya’s presidential campaign has begun with 70 days to the August elections. So far the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has cleared seven candidates and rejected three because of logistical issues.

Addressing Jubilee Party supporters Monday in Nairobi, Deputy President William Ruto said he and the president would make a re-election bid.

“As you are aware today President Uhuru Kenyatta is going to present his papers to the IEBC given to him by Jubilee Party so that he can compete for the presidency on August 8th and we thank you for coming to escort him to the commission,” he said.

Kenyatta, who is seeking a second term, was the seventh candidate cleared by the IEBC.

The main opposition coalition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was one of the presidential hopefuls to be cleared Sunday. Odinga, running for president for the fourth time, is expected to be Kenyatta's main challenger.

Kenya's National Super Alliance and opposition leader Raila Odinga (L) and running mate Kalonzo Musyoka show their clearance certificate, May 28, 2017 in Nairobi, after Odinga has presented his candidacy for the presidential race.

Electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati warned leaders against incitement.

“You have signed the accord of conduct both as political parties as well as candidates and as a commission we shall not hesitate to take any action if you breach that code of conduct. We want this country to be peaceful before, during and after this election,” said Chebukati.

The opposition agreed to hold a peaceful campaign. Odinga called on the commission to deliver an election that represents the will of the people.

“IEBC must leave up to its billing which is not only deliver free and fair but to ensure that those elections are truly free and fair,” he said.

Kenya is still haunted by the 2007 presidential election, won by Mwai Kibaki in a hotly-disputed vote. Post-election violence killed more than 1,100 people and forced the top parties into a power-sharing government.

Kenyatta's election in 2013 was peaceful, but was marred by accusations that he and Ruto had helped to organize the 2007 violence. The International Criminal Court eventually dropped charges of crimes against humanity for both men, citing a lack of evidence.

N Korea fires Scud missile into sea, its third test in three weeks

North Korea has fired a short-range ballistic missile, the third apparently successful test in as many weeks.

The Scud flew about 450km (280 miles) before landing in Japanese waters, prompting Japan to lodge a protest.

Observers say the tests indicate the North is making progress towards missiles capable of carrying warheads.

The North has repeatedly defied a UN resolution banning all nuclear and missile activity, and has ramped up its tests in recent months.

The US Pacific Command said the missile was launched from Wonsan in North Korea and flew for about six minutes before landing.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the missile landed in an area between Japan's Sado and Oki islands, in their exclusive economic zone.

South African Ruling Party Debates Fate of President

 

Ruling party critics of South African President Jacob Zuma pushed for his resignation on Sunday amid concern about alleged corruption at the highest levels of the government, but the president still retained significant support within the divided party.

This weekend, opponents proposed a motion of no confidence against Zuma at a meeting of leaders of the African National Congress party, which has led South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994. Many in the party attribute the ANC's poor performance in local elections last year to scandals surrounding the president and want to shore up their popularity ahead of national elections in 2019.

The motion was proposed by party member Joel Netshitenzhe, and it was supported by the health minister and his deputy, as well as the former tourism minister, reported the News24 website. State broadcaster SABC said the chairman of the National Executive Committee meeting did not allow debate on the motion because it was not on the agenda, though the meeting was continuing late Sunday.

Zuma survived a similar move to oust him at a committee meeting in November, but unease within the ruling party grew after he fired Pravin Gordhan, the widely respected finance minister, in a Cabinet reshuffle in March.

Another Police officer killed in motor accident

The police fraternity is mourning the death one of their colleague, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jamil Sebalu following a motor accident along Northern Bypass.
Sebalu was killed yesterday in a hit and run accident.

Mr Charles Ssebambulidde, traffic police spokesperson, said police was yet to arrest the driver who cut short ASP Sebalu’s life.
“We are yet to get particulars of the vehicle that killed our officer since it was a hit and run accident. But we are still hunting for him,” Mr Ssebambulidde said.
ASP Sebalu was the officer in charge of Kasubu-Kibizi police post, a Kampala suburb. He was among Cadet Officers who were passed out in the 2014/2015 intake.

Mr Ssebambulidde said ASP Sebalu’s burial will be held at his ancestral home in Butambala District.
In March this year, OC Bulenga Police station, ASP Moses Ocitia died following a motor accident along Entebbe road close to Lubowa Police station.
Ocitia who was driving a G Touring Reg number-UAD172K had a head on collusion with Super Custom UAT 610S which was heading to Entebbe from Kampala. He died on his way to Mulago Hospital.