Trump woes deepen as student is charged with blasphemy over exam paper

Hunter Biden plea deal dramatically falls apart

An agreement that was expected to see US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, plead guilty to tax charges and admit a gun offence dramatically fell apart in court.

The plea deal, negotiated over several weeks, was likely to spare the younger Biden prison time.

But a judge on Wednesday said she could not "rubber stamp the agreement".

The case marks the first time the justice department has charged the child of a sitting president.

Hunter Biden's lawyers have been given 14 days to hash out a new deal with the prosecution.

Putin seeks to extend influence in Africa

Russian President Vladimir Putin is exploring ways to extend his country’s influence across Africa.

Unlike the previous Russia-Africa summit in 2019, attended by 43 African leaders, this time only 17 were expected in St Petersburg.

Russia is just one of several major actors now stepping up efforts to court political and economic influence in Africa - alongside not only China, but also India, Turkey, the Gulf states, South Korea and, of course, Western nations and Japan.

Having sometimes struggled in the past to mobilise international assistance in tackling their development and security challenges, African governments are not spurning these overtures.

China removes foreign minister after unexplained absence

China has removed Qin Gang as foreign minister less than seven months after he was appointed to the post.

Mr Qin had been seen as a close associate of President Xi Jinping. The role will be taken up by Communist Party foreign affairs chief Wang Yi.

Mr Qin's prolonged disappearance from public view - and official silence over it - has fuelled furious speculation.

The 57-year-old's last known public engagements were on 25 June. No reason was given for his removal.

He had been appointed by China's leader to his post last December.

Student in Mauritania charged with blasphemy over exam paper

Mauritanian authorities have charged a high school student with blasphemy over a mock exam paper she submitted.

The young woman was arrested last week for allegedly showing disrespect to the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam.

If found guilty, she could be sentenced to death with no possibility of appeal.

Mauritania has strengthened its blasphemy laws in recent years, removing the clause allowing offenders to escape death if they show remorse.

Nevertheless, there have been no executions for blasphemy in the country for more than 30 years.

Cambodia's Hun Sen resigns and hands power to son

Cambodia's Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving leaders resigned and hand over power to his son, days after his ruling party consolidated power at an election.

Hun Sen, 70, has ruled Cambodia since 1985 and been criticised for his increasingly authoritarian rule.

He first flagged a power transition to his eldest son Hun Manet in 2020.

But until Wednesday, observers had not been sure when exactly that handover would occur.

"I would like to ask for understanding from the people as I announce that I will not continue as prime minister," he said in a special broadcast on state television.

Niger soldiers announce coup on national TV

Soldiers in the West African country of Niger announced a coup on national TV.

They said they had dissolved the constitution, suspended all institutions and closed the nation's borders.

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday.

Mr Bazoum is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy in West Africa.

Trump accused of asking employee to delete footage

Donald Trump is accused of pressuring an employee to delete security footage at his Florida home, in new criminal charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified files.

The new indictment adds one count of wilful retention of defence information and two of obstruction, making 40 charges in total in this case.

Mr Trump denies any wrongdoing and has called the prosecutor "deranged".

He is fighting multiple legal cases as he runs for president again.

In a Friday morning interview, he reiterated that he would not end his 2024 campaign even if he is criminally convicted.