Latest Political and civil unrest News

Mauritania's President Ghazouani wins reelection, the electoral commission says

Jul. 01, 2024 13:59 PM EDT

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has been reelected for a second term, the country's electoral commission said on Monday, after positioning the country as a strategic ally of the West in a region swept by coups and violence. Ghazouani,...

Economic turmoil in Bolivia fuels distrust in government and its claim of a 'failed coup'

Jul. 01, 2024 01:16 AM EDT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Signs reading “I'm buying dollars” line the doors of Víctor Vargas’ shoe shop in the heart of Bolivia’s biggest city, a desperate attempt to keep his family business alive. Just a few years ago, the 45-year-old Vargas would unlock the doors at 8 a.m....

Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt as government faces new crisis

Jun. 27, 2024 02:05 AM EDT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Led by a top general vowing to “restore democracy,” armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia's government palace Wednesday in what the president called a coup attempt, then quickly retreated — the latest crisis in the South American country facing a political...

Sri Lanka reaches deal on debt restructuring with bilateral creditors including China and France

Jun. 26, 2024 20:49 PM EDT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a debt restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in a televised address to the nation Wednesday. The agreement marks a key step in the country’s economic recovery after defaulting...

How tensions in Bolivia fueled an attempt to oust President Arce from power

Jun. 26, 2024 19:53 PM EDT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Armored vehicles rammed into the doors of Bolivia’s government palace on Wednesday as President Luis Arce said his country faced an apparent attempted coup. In a sense, the uprising was the culmination of tensions that have been brewing in Bolivia for...

Bitter political fight in Bolivia is paralyzing the government as unrest boils over economic crisis

Jun. 23, 2024 00:07 AM EDT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Protesters streamed into Bolivia's capital, throats hoarse from chanting and feet blistered from a week of walking along the national highway. The throngs of street vendors in the South American country’s vast informal work force ended their nearly...

Voting in Harmony: A Wisconsin township sets itself apart and has a knack for picking winners

Jun. 08, 2024 00:07 AM EDT

HARMONY, Wis. (AP) — It's hard living in harmony during these politically divisive times. But residents of a tiny Wisconsin town say they have the simple answer: actually live in Harmony. Residents of Harmony Township — spread out on rich farmland and residential...

What to know about Russia's growing footprint in Africa

Jun. 06, 2024 12:31 PM EDT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Russia's top diplomat pledged help and military assistance while on a whirlwind tour of several countries in Africa's sub-Saharan region of Sahel this week, as Moscow seeks to grow its influence in the restive, mineral-rich section of the continent. Russia is...

Chicago police tweak mass arrests policy ahead of Democratic National Convention

Jun. 04, 2024 16:11 PM EDT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Tuesday touted the nation’s second-largest police department as fully prepared to handle crowds of protesters expected during the Democratic National Convention, including new ways to handle possible mass arrests. ...

Trump's attacks on US justice system after his conviction could be used by autocrats, say experts

Jun. 02, 2024 16:12 PM EDT

After his historic guilty verdict in his hush money case, Donald Trump attacked the U.S. criminal justice system, making unfounded claims of a “rigged” trial that echoed remarks from the Kremlin. “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” Trump said Friday,...