World
Brice Nguema, Gabon coup leader and Bongo’s cousin, sworn in as interim president
Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of Gabon’s military junta, has been sworn in as the country’s interim president.
Nguema, who was the head of the country’s presidential guard, led a group of soldiers to seize power from President Ali Bongo last Wednesday after a controversial election.
The military officers had cited institutional, political, economic, and social crises as reasons for the coup.
After announcing that Bongo had been ousted, the soldiers, who identified themselves as members of the Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), said they were dissolving “all the institutions of the republic” and closing the country’s borders.
However, on Saturday, the coup leaders reopened the borders, saying they were “concerned with preserving respect for the rule of law, good relations with our neighbours and all states of the world” — and wanted to keep “international commitments”.
WHO IS NGUEMA?
While Nguema seems to enjoy some popular support, evident from the crowds of cheering civilians turning up at his inauguration, there have been concerns that the general’s rule will be a continuation of the Bongo family’s 53-year hold on power.
Bongo became president when Omar, his father, died after ruling from 1967 to 2009.
The coup was believed to have punctuated the family’s dynasty but Nguema has been reported to be Bongo’s cousin.
Albert Ossa, leader of the country’s opposition, had described the coup as a “family affair” and a “palace revolution” aimed at keeping them in power.
“Oligui Nguema is Ali Bongo’s cousin. The campaign was 60 years of Bongo is too much. The Bongos have decided to put Ali Bongo aside and continue their system by putting in place a Bongo CEO system,” he said.
“And they have put forward Oligui Nguema. In this way the Bongo system continues.”
Nguema has also been accused of corruption.
According to a 2020 investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) on the Bongo family’s assets in the United States, Nguema invested in real estate.
He was said to have bought three properties in middle and working class neighbourhoods in the Maryland suburbs of Hyattsville and Silver Spring, just outside the capital, in 2015 and 2018.
The homes were purchased with a total of over $1 million in cash.
The general was said to have been a strong ally of Omar before his death but was later dismissed from the inner circle of the Bongo family, after Ali assumed power.
While the opposition had thanked the army for standing up against what it described as “an electoral coup”, it is now urging the junta to complete the counting of ballots and install Ossa as the “rightful winner”.
There has been no mention of a return to civilian rule by the junta.
World
Nigerian lady Clara Chizoba Kronborg certified as world record holder for longest interviewing marathon
The Guinness World Records (GWR) has certified Clara Chizoba Kronborg, the Nigerian social media entrepreneur, as the holder of the longest interviewing marathon.
Kronborg broke the world record for the longest interviewing marathon with a time of 55 hours 24 seconds.
The Nigerian lady, who grew up in Onitsha, held the marathon between March 8 to 10 wherein she interviewed 90 people of various nationalities and occupations.
The conversations were centred on how each guest achieved success in their respective field.
Kronborg was permitted a five-minute break for each hour which she could use to take a nap, bath, or change her clothes.
Speaking about her motivations, Clara said she attempted the record because of her passion for success and to “amplify the voices of hardworking women using their stories to inspire others”.
“This record attempt was about bringing together diverse individuals, sharing their inspiring narratives, and forging meaningful connections on a global scale,” she said.
“I am committed to amplifying voices, particularly those of hardworking women, and using their stories to inspire others facing similar challenges.”
Clara revealed that one of her toughest challenges during the exercise was the pain she battled from her monthly flow.
“Even worse, my period started the same day, and I was already having intense menstrual cramps,” she added.
“At some point, I was literally dripping pee and period stain, but I persevered and kept my eyes on the goal. To anyone who ever reads this, once you find your purpose, go after it with everything you’ve got.
“Recalling everything I went through physically, mentally, financially, emotionally – it feels so unreal.
“I am extremely proud of this accomplishment because I know lives have been touched and changed.
“This achievement is dedicated to all those who dare to dream and persist, regardless of the challenges they face.”
In an official statement on Wednesday, the GWR certified Clara as the current world record holder.
The previous record was 37 hours 44 minutes by Rob Oliver (USA) in 2022.
In December, Amuda Mariam completed a 100-hour marathon to set a new record for the longest television talk show.
World
10 killed as two military helicopters collide in Malaysia
Two Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed during a training session on Tuesday, killing all 10 crew onboard, the country’s rescue agency said.
Footage shared online showed several helicopters flying low in formation over the Lumut naval base, located about 160 kilometres (100 miles) from the capital Kuala Lumpur.
The helicopters were participating in a flypast rehearsal ahead of Naval Day celebrations in May.
One chopper was seen clipping the rear rotor of another, causing both to go into a tailspin and crash.
“The two helicopters collided during flight training,” said Suhaimy Mohamad Suhail, senior operations commander from the fire and rescue department, adding that all 10 crew members on board were confirmed dead by medical officers.
The two aircraft involved were a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec and an AgustaWestland AW139, the rescue agency said.
Photos showed the Eurocopter model heavily mangled in the wreckage on the naval base stadium track with rescue personnel surrounding it as well as various debris.
The AgustaWestland helicopter crashed at the naval base’s swimming pool area.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sent his condolences to the families of the victims, saying “the nation mourns the heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy”.
“I was informed that an immediate investigation will be carried out by the Ministry of Defense, especially TLDM (Royal Malaysian Navy), to find the cause of the crash,” he said.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also shared condolences.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also shared condolences.
“Queen Zarith and I feel very sad over the loss of national heroes in this tragedy,” he said in a social media post.
World
Israel launches counterattack on Iran
Oil prices have surged by nearly 4 percent as Israel launched a missile attack on a target in Iran, according to international media reports.
Explosions were reported in Isfahan province in central Iran, where the country’s nuclear plant is located.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later announced that there was no damage to the plant.
Israel had promised a response to missile and drone attacks by Iran last weekend.
Iran had launched the attacks in response to the April 1 strike that killed its senior security officials at its embassy in Syria apparently carried out by Israel.
A US official told ABC News that Israel carried out a strike inside Iran, confirming reports of the explosion by the Asian country’s media.
There were also reports of blasts in Iraq and southern Syria.
Commercial flights we re-routed as parts of the Iranian airspace were closed.
Iran says it activated its air defence systems.
Israel is not planning further attacks and Iran is not going to retaliate either, according various officials quoted by the media.
Brent crude price is now over $90 per barrel, up from $87 before the strike.
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