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Voting begins in Chad as opposition parties call for election boycott

Voting begins in Chad as opposition parties call for election boycott

Opposition parties urge Chadians to boycott the vote, calling it a sham aimed at entrenching the governing party’s power. Voting has begun in general elections in Chad, which President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has portrayed as a key step in a transition to democracy but are being boycotted by the country’s opposition parties. Members of the armed forces and nomadic tribes in Chad were summoned to vote on Saturday for logistical reasons. But most people in the African nation of about 20 million people will vote on Sunday to select a national parliament, regional assemblies and local councils. The polls will be open from 6am to 5pm local time (05:00 to 16:00 GMT). Reporting from the capital N’Djamena on Saturday afternoon, Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi said many Chadians described feeling “indifferent” in the lead-up to the vote. “They say they don’t expect to see any changes. They say that they believe that the ruling party is going to win no matter what,” she said. “A lot of them are just talking about … bread-and-butter issues: They say the cost of living is extremely high. They’re talking about corruption and nepotism that is rife.” Members of the Chadian security forces vote at a barrack in Koundoul [Joris Bolomey/AFP] The country’s opposition parties have called on people to boycott the vote, which they described as a sham. Advertisement “No campaign, no vote on December 29. Stay at home and ask others to do the same,” the main opposition Transformers party said in a post on Facebook. Still, about 45 percent of the country’s 200,000 nomadic tribespeople and 45,000 soldiers had cast their ballots by midday on Saturday, according to initial estimates. Military personnel began arriving early at a polling station in the Koundoul barracks near N’Djamena, the AFP news agency reported. “Voting is proceeding normally. The military are voting freely,” senior election management official Ousmane Houzibe said. ‘Serious concern’ The elections are taking place against a backdrop of recurring attacks by rebel group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. Chad also recently ended a military accord with its former colonial power, France, and the country has faced accusations that it is interfering in the conflict ravaging neighbouring Sudan. President Deby’s government has presented the weekend elections as a key stage in the transition to democratic rule. The 40-year-old leader took power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for three decades. Analyst Mamadou Bodian said while the elections marked a “significant milestone”, bringing to a close a three-year transition period, they are nonetheless highly contested and seen as favouring the governing Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party. “Even the electoral management body is seen as dominated by individuals loyal to the ruling party,” Bodian told Al Jazeera. “And this raises serious concern not only about the process, but also the independence of the whole electoral system.” Advertisement A lack of international observers and an “opaque” voting-counting process also exacerbate a longstanding distrust in Chadian elections, Bodian said. The opposition boycott “reflects a widespread belief that these elections are neither free nor fair”, he added. “And this also casts doubt on Chad’s democratic prospects.” Deby won a five-year presidential mandate in May after a vote that the opposition denounced as fraudulent. The last legislative elections date back to 2011. Adblock test (Why?)

Leicester City vs Man City: EPL preview, team news, how to follow, stream

Leicester City vs Man City: EPL preview, team news, how to follow, stream

Who: Leicester City vs Manchester CityWhat: English Premier LeagueWhere: King Power Stadium, Leicester, United KingdomWhen: 12:30pm (12:30 GMT) on SundayFollow Al Jazeera’s live text and photo build-up and commentary stream. Pep Guardiola insists he will not walk out on troubled Manchester City as he strives to stop the champions’ stunning decline. The Spaniard, whose side visit Leicester City on Sunday, only recently signed a two-year contract extension but City’s dismal form has raised questions about his future. A nightmare run of nine defeats in 13 games, with just one win in that woeful spell, triggered suggestions the City boss could decide to quit if he cannot find an answer to his team’s problems. Having led City to six Premier League titles in the past seven seasons, however, Guardiola is adamant he still has the hunger to turn the situation around. “I will try, I will keep going. Sometimes you think the bad run will be ended earlier or it would be easier to fix it, but it takes more time,” he told reporters in the run-up to Sunday’s match. “I will not give up. I want to be here. I want to do it and, with the situation that we have, we have to do it. Advertisement “Of course, I want it, everyone wants it. I don’t want to disappoint my people in terms of the club, the fans, the people who love this club. I think all of us in our job want to do it well and please the people. That is undeniable, not a question mark. “The biggest test is to come back again, but we have done that before.” Pep Guardiola has not previously endured such a barren run in his career [Carl Recine/Getty Images] Guardiola won’t criticise in City crisis Injuries have been a major factor in City’s decline, leaving them languishing in seventh place in the Premier League. Most especially, the gaping hole left by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, as he recovers from a long-term knee injury. Nor have matters been helped by the erratic form in an inconsistent season by the usually prolific Erling Haaland, who missed a penalty that could have sealed a City win against Everton in their last match. Haaland has scored just once in his last seven games, but Guardiola refused to blame the Norway striker or any of his teammates. “I don’t have it in my education to start complaining, to point at people. It’s happened, it’s life, it’s football, so let’s try it again,” he said. “That’s why we have had success, because always it is never enough, we will try it again and again and again. That’s why we won a lot of titles. “Every three days it was a game and win, win, win for many, many months and years. Now, we have to do the same when results are not good.” Plenty of movement ⬆️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yumQgXPdfA — Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2024 Advertisement City still have doubts about the fitness of several players as they bid to get back to winning ways at struggling Leicester, who have won only one of their last 11 “Sometimes you have injuries,” Guardiola said. “For how many years we were incredibly consistent but now, yes, we’re a little bit down and the main reason is having so many important players injured. “But I saw the team spirit, how we trained this week, how focused they are, how they try to practise.” Manchester City’s draw with Everton ended their three-game losing streak [Molly Darlington/Getty Images] Leicester City team news Jordan Ayew, who is suspended after the forward was booked for the fifth time this season during the defeat by Liverpool in Leicester’s last outing. Captain Jamie Vardy should be fit to return from a minor knock, but Wout Faes misses out again in defence. Man City team news Long-term absentee Rodri was joined on the sidelines by Ruben Dias, John Stones, Ederson, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Matheus Nunes for the 1-1 draw with Everton. Head-to-head This is the 128th meeting between the clubs, of which City have won on 64 occasions, while Leicester have come away the spoils following 32 of the encounters. City have won the last five league meetings, scoring 10 goals in the last three of those, while Leicester could only break up that run with a Community Shield victory following the 2020-21 title-winning season. Leicester’s last league win came in that campaign with a 5-2 victory at City, and included a hat-trick from Vardy. The reverse game at King Power Stadium resulted in a 2-0 scoreline that gave City the three points and began their current dominant streak over the Foxes in the league. Where do your side currently sit?#FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/AT9MZPPnz2 — Premier League (@premierleague) December 28, 2024 Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)

Michelle Obama sparks backlash after posting ‘Happy Holidays’ video

Michelle Obama sparks backlash after posting ‘Happy Holidays’ video

Michelle Obama provoked a wave of online criticism Friday after she shared a New Year’s message with her followers on Instagram. The former first lady posted a video wishing her followers “Happy Holidays” and highlighting the work of the Obama Presidential Center as 2024 comes to a close. But critics noted with disapproval that her video begins on a sour note.  “Happy holidays, everyone. I know it’s been a difficult few months for so many of us, and that folks are feeling a little bit anxious and uncertain,” Obama says in the video. “But even during these tough times, there are plenty of reasons to stay hopeful,” she adds, before mentioning programs operated by the Obama Foundation. ‘GREATER RECKONING’: OBAMA’S SPOT IN THE DEMOCRATIC SUN FADING AFTER HARRIS LOSS Hundreds of Instagram users commented on Obama’s video within hours after it went live. While many thanked her for the message and showed support for the Obama Foundation, several supporters of President-elect Trump read into Obama’s comments. Their takeaway was that she had Trump’s victory in mind when she spoke about “a difficult few months,” and they made their objections known.   “Michelle, America is excited about what’s to come: a new horizon and prosperity for the nation. 2025-2029! No anxiety here,” one user replied. “A difficult few years from the damage the Biden administration has caused!” wrote another commenter. “Things have never looked better since Trum won the election! The people have the power! Not even all those celebrities could change that!” “We are certain it won’t be worse than your husband’s administration or the Biden administration,” said a third. “That we are CERTAIN.” STEPHEN A SMITH BLASTS OPRAH WINFREY, MICHELLE OBAMA FOR ‘ALIENATING’ VOTERS Obama’s supporters, on the other hand, expressed gratitude for her video and shared heart emojis and other positive comments. “Thank you for your message of hope,” one user replied. “It is so much needed.”  The Obamas were top surrogates for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. Michelle Obama spoke at several rallies for Harris and delivered a speech in Pennsylvania three days before the election, alluding to Trump as a “skilled con man” who has poured gasoline “on other people’s genuine pain and anger and fear.”  TRUMP HAS MESSAGE OF UNITY FOR ‘GREAT DIVIDER’ OBAMA “We don’t always get it right, but here in America, we rise more than we fall,” Obama said in Norristown, Penn., on Nov. 2. In dark and difficult times, she said the country needs leaders who will “connect with people’s pain and address the systemic issues at their root, not leaders who stoke our fears and focus our fury on one another.”  But after the election, the Obamas released a joint statement that congratulated Trump on his victory while acknowledging, “this is obviously not the outcome we hoped for.”  “In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything,” the Obamas said. “But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace – even to people with whom we deeply disagree.”

Race to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik in upstate New York heats up with new challenger

Race to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik in upstate New York heats up with new challenger

New York State Sen. Dan Stec, a Republican and Navy veteran, is running for Congress. Stec has tossed his hat in the ring to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who will vacate her seat in the House of Representatives to become the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. A special election for New York’s 21st Congressional District will take place once Stefanik officially leaves Congress. “At the end of the day, it’s about representing the district, and for the last 12 years in Albany, I know what it means to represent the district and if I can do that in Albany I am certain I can do that in Washington,” Stec told WWNY in an interview on Dec. 24.  BLUE STATE CEO WHO PUT UP 100-FOOT PRO-TRUMP SIGN TO SPEND $2.6 MILLION ON CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS The North Country native, whose state senate district lies within Stefanik’s congressional district, argued he is the best candidate to win the seat for Republicans because he has the highest name recognition there.  “My argument is that I am the most electable. If we are concerned about holding this seat and the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, you want to put your most likely-to-win candidate forward and no one can compare the numbers like I do with how much of the district I already represent,” Stec told the outlet. PRO-TRUMP TECH CEO MULLING CONGRESSIONAL RUN TO FILL STEFANIK’S SEAT IDENTIFIES NEW YORK’S ‘BIGGEST PROBLEM’ He pointed to his record in the New York legislature and the 104,000 votes he won in the previous election for state senate, which is nearly half of the total Stefanik won in her bid for re-election, in support of his argument that he’s best positioned to defeat the Democratic candidate in the special election. “I am proud of my track record, my resume, and my principles. I don’t have any votes that I am embarrassed that I would have to explain like maybe someone from the other side of the aisle I have worked with would have to explain,” Stec said. WHO COULD RUN TO REPLACE STEFANIK IN THE HOUSE? Stefanik won a sixth term to represent the district which encompasses North County, New York, but President-elect Donald Trump chose her in November to fill the U.N. ambassadorship in his new cabinet.  In the campaign to be the Republican nominee to succeed Stefanik, Stec joins Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino, a political outsider whose claim to fame is a 100 ft. “Vote for Trump” sign he installed in upstate New York. Constantino is self-funding his campaign and has pledged $2.6 million to the effort.  Other Republicans mentioned as possible candidates include state Assemblymen Robert Smullen and Christopher Tague; and Rensselaer County Executive Steven McLaughlin, according to WWNY. Possible Democratic candidates include Assemblyman Billy Jones, whose state district falls just east of St. Lawrence County, as well as past unsuccessful challengers to Stefanik such as Matt Castelli and Paula Collins. There will not be a traditional Republican primary for the special election. Instead, both the GOP and Democratic nominees will be chosen by party chairs in the district.