Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan sworn in as first female president

15:22, March 19, 2021

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  Libya's new executive authority sworn in

  The newly-selected executive authority of Libya on Monday was sworn in before the House of Representatives (parliament) in the eastern city of Tubruk, Libyan National TV reported.Photo: VCGThe new executive authority, which consists of the Presidency Council and the Government of National Unity, took the oath during an official session of the parliament.In a speech during the session, Aguila Saleh, speaker of the House of Representatives, urged the new executive authority to spare no effort to achieve national reconciliation, work to improve the countrys economy, and prepare for the elections to be held later this year.The UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) recently selected a new executive authority for the North African country, which was welcomed by all the Libyan parties.Moahmmed Menfi was appointed as President of the Presidency Council along with new Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.Dbeibahs government was granted confidence by the House of Representatives on March 10.The new governments main task is to hold general elections on Dec. 24 as agreed by the LPDF.

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  Tokyo Olympics ceremonies chief quits over pig insult to female comedian

  The creative director for Tokyos Olympic ceremonies resigned on Thursday for suggesting a female comedian appear as a pig, just weeks after the Games chief stepped down over insulting remarks about women.This file photo taken on July 31, 2018 shows Hiroshi Sasaki, head creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, speaking at a press conference in Tokyo.Hiroshi Sasaki announced his decision after a report on Wednesday revealed his proposal that Naomi Watanabe, a popular celebrity and plus-size model, appear as an "Olympig" wearing pig ears at the opening ceremony.It is just the latest headache for the coronavirus-delayed Games, which are struggling for public support mid-pandemic and were left reeling by former chief Yoshiro Moris sexist comments last month.In a statement released early Thursday, Sasaki apologised to Watanabe and said he understood his suggestion was inappropriate."My idea would be a huge insult to Ms. Naomi Watanabe. This cant be taken back," he said."I regret this from the bottom of my heart, and I deeply apologise to her and everyone who felt discomfort over this," he added.Watanabe, in a statement issued through her agency, said she was "surprised" by the remarks"Im happy with my body shape," she added, calling for a world where "individuals can respect" each other.Tokyo Olympic chief Seiko Hashimoto, who replaced Mori last month, told reporters she was "shocked" by Sasakis remarks."To joke about appearance is very, very inappropriate," Hashimoto said, adding she would work to find a replacement for Sasaki quickly.The scandal erupted on Wednesday evening, when a local magazine reported that Sasaki suggested to colleagues last year that Watanabe could dress up as an "Olympig".The proposal, made in a group chat, was immediately rejected by Sasakis colleagues, who told hi...

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  Girl, 14, accused of killing her mother

  A 14-year-old female middle school student in Bayan county of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, was detained on Tuesday as a suspect in the murder of her mother.Surnamed Liu, the girl is suspected of killing her mother at home, according to a statement published on Wednesday by the local public securit