WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama yesterday picked Brooklyn federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch to be the next US Attorney General, praising her as someone who would bring a commitment to criminal justice reform and other key administration priorities. If confirmed, Lynch, 55, would be the first black woman to serve in the post, bringing with her a family history that stretches back generations to great-great grandparents who were slaves. Lynch would replace Eric Holder, the first black attorney general, who has held the job since Obama took office in 2009.
Burkina Faso talks off to rocky start
OUAGADOUGOU: Talks on forming a transition government in Burkina Faso began yesterday with the army at first declining to join, while ousted leader Blaise Compaore accused his opponents of jointly plotting his overthrow. Around 60 representatives of political parties and civil society met here to hammer out a handover plan. The army, who named Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Zida to head the west African country, had first refused to take part in the talks but later sent a delegation led by Zida’s right-hand man, Colonel August Denise Barry, who made only a brief appearance at the discussions.
Ebola fight stepped up
ADDIS ABABA: The African Union raised $28.5m yesterday from the continent’s wealthiest individuals and firms for a fund to fight the Ebola outbreak ravaging three west African nations. Ebola has killed 4,950 people of the 13,241 infected since the outbreak started earlier this year, according to the World Health Organisation, mostly in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
Agencies
