AFRICAN NEWS FLASH

Democrat Nancy Pelosi was elected on Thursday (Jan 3) to be the new speaker of the United States House of Representatives as her party took majority control of the chamber following its election victory on Nov 6. This marks Ms Pelosi's second stint as Speaker. She was the first woman ever to hold the job, serving from 2007 until 2011, when Republicans began an eight-year run in the House majority. Ms Pelosi received 220 votes for Speaker, while Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy got 192 votes. A smattering of others received the remaining votes in the chamber that holds 435 seats. The election puts Ms Pelosi in position to lead the opposition to President Donald Trump's agenda and to conduct in-depth investigations of his administration following two years during which Republicans have mainly given him a free pass. Mr Trump congratulated her, saying he hoped they could work together. Holding a surprise media appearance hours after Ms Pelosi addressed the new De...

Senator Elizabeth Warren jumped into the race for president on Monday, announcing she is forming an exploratory committee for 2020. “I’m in this fight all the way,” she said on Monday afternoon.

Three people including a police officer injured in ‘frenzied’ New Year’s Eve attack Counter-terrorism police have raided a house in Manchester after three people including a British Transport Police officer were stabbed in a “frenzied attack” during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The incident, classified as critical, was being investigated by counter-terrorism police officers after the perpetrator was allegedly heard shouting Islamist slogans during the attack just before 9pm at Victoria station in the city. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody. On Tuesday, officers confirmed they were searching a property in the Cheetham Hill area of the city where the attacker is believed to have lived. Russ Jackson, an assistant chief constable with Greater Manchester police (GMP), described the attack on the officer and a couple in their 50s as “frenzied” and “random in nature”. It took place near the scene of the 2017 Manchester Arena bomb...

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes David de Gea and Anthony Martial re-sign with Manchester United and become part of history with the Premier League club. United have reportedly triggered extensions for Martial, 23, and De Gea, 28, to keep the pair at the club until 2020. Solskjaer, the interim manager at Old Trafford, wants to convince the duo to remain at United, saying it was the best place for them. "I know the club want them to sign, of course, because they are top-quality players," the Norwegian told UK newspapers. "It's down to the players, but when you're at Man United there isn't a lot of greener grass on the other side. You are at the best place. It's the biggest club in the world. "For me, I would hope I can help or guide these players to maybe tip them over to thinking they want to stay at this club. "If you are a regular at Manchester United, I think you should grasp the opportunity to stay here and become part of the histor...

Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo went to the polls on Sunday in elections that will shape the future of their vast, troubled country, amid fears that violence could overshadow the ballot. Millions of electors are choosing a successor to President Joseph Kabila, who is stepping down two years after his term limit expired — a delay that sparked bloody clashes and revived traumatic memories of past turmoil. The vote gives DR Congo the chance of its first peaceful transfer of power since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. But analysts say the threat of violence is great, given the many organisational problems and wide-ranging suspicion of Kabila. The election’s credibility has already been strained by repeated delays, the risk of hitches on polling day and accusations that electronic voting machines will produce a rigged result. On the eve of the vote, talks between key candidates to avert post-election violence broke down. Opposition frontrunners Martin ...