Colombia slams former FARC commander’s call to arms

With little more than two weeks to go before Nigeria's presidential election, the tensions caused by a chaotic change in currency have soured the mood. Also, as daily rolling power cuts across South Africa continue to hit the economy hard, President Cyril Ramaphosa declares a state of disaster over the crisis.

Too stylish for political party t-shirts and caps, some fashionistas in Nigeria are donning the colours and faces of their preferred candidates for a presidential election this month. Ahead of the Feb. 25 vote, political rallies have become catwalks for colourful printed fabrics twisted into elaborate dresses, tunics and headscarves.

Since the start of the year, Republican lawmakers have put forward hundreds of bills in dozens of US states targeting transgender people and other members of the LGBT community. Many of them restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare, which research shows is crucial to the wellbeing and survival of trans people.

Butchers and cattle transporters are being targeted by "cow vigilantes." This is part of a wider Hindu nationalist campaign against India's Muslim minority to cripple the community economically.

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Once considered by many as the de facto leader of Venezuela, Juan Guaido was accused by Colombian authorities of entering the country illegally.

The campaign bus of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was attacked while he gave a speech. He was making an appearance in the conservative stronghold of Erzurum before next week's elections.

Kanye West's campaign treasurer Patrick Krason has resigned amid fraud allegations aimed at the rapper's campaign adviser.

For the first time in nine years, leaders from the regional bloc formerly known as the Union of South American Nations have convened this week in Brazil. The gathering of these 11 countries has demonstrated a renewed spirit of cooperation. A notable highlight is Brazilian President Lula da Silva's meeting with Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, a significant move, as diplomatic relations were severed under Lula’s predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

The Indiana politician opened his bid for the top job in 2024 by criticizing his former boss, Donald Trump. Pence officially joins an expanding field of hopefuls, yet Trump remains the party favorite.

France said it has found a large-scale Russian disinformation campaign involving Russia's embassies and cultural institutes. Fake news hostile to Ukraine were made to look like they were published by French mass media.

Maria Corina Machado was set to run for the president of Venezuela against Nicolas Maduro in 2024. Officials said the ban was triggered by her support for US sanctions and Maduro's rival Juan Guaido.