International News
Protests: President Ruto Warns Against Bid To ‘Overthrow’ Kenyan Govt
Kenyan President William Ruto warned on Wednesday against attempts to “overthrow” the government through “unconstitutional means” and ordered the police to shoot violent protesters in the leg, days after 31 people were killed in nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
These are his toughest remarks yet come as the East African nation faces a wave of violent protests over economic stagnation, corruption, and police brutality.
“They want to start chaos, organise protests, burn people’s property, bring disaster so as to overthrow the government before 2027… This is a democratic country,” Ruto told supporters in the capital, Nairobi, speaking in Swahili.
“This country will not be destroyed by a few people who are impatient and want a change of government through unconstitutional means,” he said.
“You cannot sponsor violence and go scot-free,” he added, saying any attacks on the police would be seen as a “declaration of war”.
Ruto, who was elected in 2022, also said violent protesters “should be shot in the leg, be taken to hospital and taken to court”.
The demonstrations began in June last year as a youth-led anti-taxation protest, which subsequently forced the government to withdraw the contested finance bill.
But many of Kenya’s youth are once again engaging in protests, which last month degenerated into looting and violence, killing dozens and destroying thousands of businesses.
They are disillusioned by the economic situation, corruption, and high taxes, as well as police brutality after a teacher died in custody last month.
Fifty-one people have died in protests over the last two months, according to an AFP tally citing rights groups.
Rallies early this week saw hundreds arrested and scores wounded.
Rights groups said 31 people died across the country in the protests, which marked Saba Saba day — meaning Seven Seven — or July 7, 1990, when Kenyans rose to demand a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi.
Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government compared a demonstration in June to an “attempted coup”.
Boycott Call
Opposition leaders, including Ruto’s former deputy and ally Rigathi Gachagua, have accused the government of unleashing state-sponsored violence against its citizens, slamming it as “hostile”.
On Tuesday, they called on the public to “boycott all businesses, services and institutions owned, operated or publicly linked to this regime and its enablers”.
Gachagua campaigned for Ruto during the 2022 election, but the two fell out last year, leading to his impeachment.
Ruto’s allies have accused Gachagua of bankrolling violent protests, with some calling for his arrest.
He has denied the accusations.
Marches last month marked the first anniversary of the anti-tax protests that saw young demonstrators breach parliament on June 25, with rights groups saying at least 60 people died in last year’s rallies.
Social media and rising economic expectations have fanned anger over inequalities in a country where around 80 per cent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs.
The United Nations said it was “deeply troubled” over the deaths during this week’s protests and that “intentional lethal force by law enforcement officers, including with firearms, should only be used when strictly necessary to protect life from an imminent threat”.
AFP
International News
Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal
Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.
Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.
Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.
On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.
Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.
The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.
“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.
Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.
His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly countered suggestions from his sister, Katia Aveiro, that he intends to retire from international football following the World Cup.
The Portuguese legend recently led his team to the round of 16 following a 2-1 victory over Croatia.
Ronaldo continued to be a pivotal player for his country, having scored the equalising goal from the penalty spot after going one goal down in the second half.
Following his goal, he became the oldest player to score in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Reports from Portuguese media had quoted Aveiro stating that the current tournament would be Ronaldo’s final appearance for the national team.
Before the recent match against Croatia, Aveiro was quoted as saying, “From the information I have, from a reliable source, I believe that this is the last dance, so let’s enjoy it. I strongly believe this is the farewell.”
However, the football icon has made it clear that his focus remains solely on the present, not on his future.
“My future isn’t important right now,” Ronaldo stated. “I’ll have time; after winning or losing, I’ll talk to my family and then make the best decision.”
The legendary forward, who recently secured a trophy in Saudi Arabia, holds the record for both appearances and goals for his national team, with 146 goals in 232 caps.
The UEFA Appeals Body has announced that Czech club Karvina is banned from participating in next season’s Europa League. UEFA made the decision based on competition regulations, ruling that Karvina “directly or indirectly participated in activities aimed at manipulating or influencing the results of domestic matches,” as stated in the official resolution.
As a result of this decision, Karvina’s spot as domestic cup winner will be taken by Viktoria Plzeň, with Viktoria Plzeň’s second qualifying round spot going to Hradec Králové. Jablonec will fill the vacant Conference League spot originally held by Hradec Králové.
In the Europa League, Hradec Králové will face Tromsø. In the Conference League, Jablonec will face Varaždin.
Viktoria Plzeň will learn their opponent in the Europa League playoff draw on Monday, August 3.
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