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By Villen Anganan, Reuters Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth surrounded by supporters during a campaign rally in Mahebourg. Photo: LAURA MOROSOLI Mauritius' communications regulator ordered all internet service providers to suspend access to social media platforms on Friday until 11 November, a day after the upcoming general election, in a move the opposition said was a ruse to avoid defeat at the polls. The island nation has been hit by a wiretapping scandal in which some 20 conversations involving politicians, police, lawyers, journalists and members of civil society have been leaked on social media since mid-October, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority said it was imposing a temporary ban on soc...

Kamala Harris and Maya Rudolph on 'Saturday Night Live'. Photo: Screenshot Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris appeared on the Saturday Night Live TV comedy show on Saturday, adding a surprise jolt to the US presidential election just three days before her with showdown with Republican Donald Trump. Harris portrayed herself, appearing in a mirror opposite the actor who plays her on the show, Maya Rudolph, who was nervously prepared for a campaign speech. Dressed identically in a black suit and pearls, the two traded variations on Harris' first name, saying Americans want to "end the drama-la" in politics "with a cool new stepmom-ala." Kamala Harris talks to Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/AJuW7aO7VM— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) November 3, 2024 "Keep Calm-ala and c...

Photo: AFP With just days to go until voters in the United States elect either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump as their next president, we looked back at some of the key moments in this year's election campaign, and what we can expect next. After assassination attempts, name calling, and accusations aplenty, one could be forgiven for forgetting that just a few months ago president Joe Biden was actually the Democratic candidate. Here's a look back at a whirlwind last few months (all dates are in NZT): 13 March - Biden clinches nomination for re-election With no real competition, the current president officially got enough delegates to clinch his party's nomination in March. 13 March - Trump also secures delegates for nomination Former President Trump beat ba...

Donald Trump is "largely about ... being a showman", an international relations expert says. Photo: ALON SKUY / AFP An international relations expert is warning of a "stark difference" in climate issues, and "possibly" security issues if Donald Trump wins the US presidency next week. Auckland University senior lecturer in politics and international relations Dr Maria Armoudian said it was possible that either election outcome would not make a huge difference to New Zealand trade and tourism. Armoudian said a win by the Democratic candidate, vice-president Kamala Harris, would likely be a continuation of the status quo in terms of international relations, human rights and environmental protections, but a victory for the Republican candidate, former president Donald Trump, would mean ever...

Bolivian Armed Forces commander-in-chief General Gerardo Zabala, speaking in La Paz on 1 November, about earlier instances where soldiers were taken hostages after a barracks was stormed in central Chapare province. Photo: AFP/ Aizar Raldes An armed group has taken control of a military post in central Bolivia and is holding more than 200 personnel hostage. The Bolivian military said that an "irregular armed group" had kidnapped military personnel and seized weapons and ammunition from the base situated near the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba. The Bolivian Foreign Ministry said more than 200 military personnel had been taken hostage during the incident. Bolivian president Luis Arce said the armed group was "affiliated" with former president Evo Morales, but did not offer evidence f...