Venezuela’s dictator-aspirant President Nicolas Maduro has barred major opposition parties from participating in upcoming presidential elections. The move was announced on Sunday as opposition boycotted mayoral elections. Maduro’s grip on power looked assured after a visibly angry address questioning why the opposition were boycotting elections. 

The African Union’s commissioner for its peace and security organ warned that up to 6,000 Islamic State violent extremists could return to Africa. Smail Chergui noted with concern the thousands of extremists joining Isis in the Middle East who may return to the continent, thereby spreading an increasing threat on the African continent.

Not a single Palestinian Authority official will meet with Deputy President and ghoul-in-waiting Mike Pence. The United States accused the PA of “walking away” from a chance to discuss peace in the region. The accusation itself is a bit laughable in the wake of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. 

Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho entered rival Manchester City’s change rooms after his team’s 2-1 defeat to complain about their noisy celebrations. Man City’s players naturally took great umbrage at Mourinho’s impertinence, throwing water and milk at him, with at least one plastic bottle colliding with the manager’s head. Mourinho, it seems, may not be as good at managing conflict as football.

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BFN: min: 14° max 32°, cloudy
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PMB: min: 14° max: 17°, rainy
PE: min: 12° max: 25°, cloudy
PTA: min: 15° max: 26°, rainy

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