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Liberia Presidential Run-Off Election Suspended

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Liberia

The Liberian Supreme Court on Monday issued a stay order on the presidential run-off election earlier slated for Tuesday, until the electoral commission investigates claims of fraud in the Oct. 10 first round poll.

The order is based on a petition filed by third-place finisher in the Oct. 10 general elections, Mr Charles Brumskine, of the Liberty Party (LP) who is seeking a re-run of the exercise on the allegation of fraud and irregularities.

In the ruling, the apex court said the run-off remain ed suspended until the National Elections Commission investigates Brumskine’s claims.

Brumskine alleged that the elections were faced with “serious gross irregularities and fraud that undercut the integrity of the process as well as denying voters their constitutional rights to vote.”

He added: “The preliminary results released by authorities of the National Elections Commissions (NEC) are not valid, because we at the LP have evidence to prove our case.”

Brumskine said that their evidences range from the stuffing of ballot boxes with marked ballot papers for another party than the LP in Nimba County by a NEC presiding officer; the late opening of polls at some centers; and the omission of names and photographs from the voters’ roll.

“So many Liberians were deprived of their constitutional right to vote. We will, therefore, be requesting a re-run of the elections.

“The October 10 elections did not pass the minimum standards required for free, fair and transparent elections and Liberia deserves a valid, transparent election,” Brumskine had alleged.

The election is meant to usher in Liberia’s first democratic transition since 1944 after long periods of military rule and a civil war that ended in 2003.

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10 dead, 30 injured after vehicle drives into crowd in US

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At least 10 people have been killed after a vehicle drove into a large crowd in New Orleans, a city in Louisiana, United States.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the French Quarter, a popular tourist area, when a car sped down Bourbon Street.

Witnesses told CBS News that the driver reportedly got out and began shooting at pedestrians. Police returned fire, and two officers were injured in the exchange.

Anne Kirkpatrick, the city’s police superintendent, described the attack as “very intentional”.

“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” she said.

Kirkpatrick said attack began at 15:15 local time (21:15 GMT), adding that most of the victims appeared to be local residents, but the identities of those killed or injured are still being determined.

She said numbers could change, but confirmed 10 people were killed and at least 35 others injured.

She said it is unclear how many victims are tourists and how many are locals but added that she believed that the majority are local to New Orleans.

The superintendent said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will take over the investigation into the incident.

Althea Duncan, FBI agent, clarified that the shooting was not a terrorist incident, but noted that “improvised explosive devices” were found on scene.

Duncan said the FBI is working to find out if they are “viable” devices and urged the public to stay away from the area.

Jeff Landry, governor of Louisiana, described the incident as a “horrific act of violence”.

Landry said he is praying for all the victims and first responders at the scene.

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South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached president

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A Seoul western district court has issued an arrest warrant against impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his botched martial law declaration.

It is the first time authorities have sought to detain a sitting South Korean president.

It is unclear when authorities would attempt to take Yeol into custody. January 6 was given as the deadline to execute the warrant.

“The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning,” the Joint Investigation Headquarters, which includes officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police, and the defence ministry, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The warrant comes after Yeol, who is being investigated for power abuse and inciting an insurrection, ignored three summons in the last fortnight.

The president’s legal team has called the warrant “illegal and invalid” and said they would challenge it in court.

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Biden declares January 9 national mourning day for Jimmy Carter

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United States President Joe Biden has declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter.

Carter, the 39th US president, died on Sunday at 100. He was the first ex-US president to become a centenarian.

Biden described Carter as an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.

“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement following Carter’s death.

“He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.

“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together,” he added, referencing Carter’s wife of 77 years who died in November 2023.

Biden ordered that flags be displayed at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels for a period of 30 days from Carter’s death.

The president said similar arrangements applied to US representatives in foreign countries at embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.

“I do further appoint January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States,” Biden added.

The president urged Americans and people around the world who share in the grief to honour Carter’s memory on the said day.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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