Those pardoned had been arrested during political violence in 2015 and 2016
The official theme of the event, which begins January 28, is combating corruption
In exclusive interview with VOA's South Sudan in Focus, Telar Ring Deng confirmed that he quit his job but declined to give reasons for his decision
'The president is focused on this term,' said Yemi Osinbajo in CNBC interview
Rift widens after Ethiopia rejects Egypt's suggestion World Bank arbitrate ongoing disagreements over construction of dam on Nile River
Egypt fearing project would restrict waters flowing down from Ethiopia's highlands and through deserts of Sudan to its fields and reservoirs
Explosions struck a market in the northeast used by internally displaced persons, but no group immediately claimed responsibility
Move follows release of hundreds of prisoners to ease political tensions
Antarctica and Africa are the only continents that have never hosted an Olympic Games, but for Africa, it would first have to host the much smaller 2022 Youth Olympic Games
They say expansion of Addis Ababa into Oromiya region will threaten Oromo culture; protests have led to detentions, abuses by security forces, they report
VOA reporter was shown six locally manufactured armored vehicles and a number of military bulldozers that Kurdish commanders say IS had used to excavate trenches in areas to south of Kirkuk and fortify its fighters
White Christmas unlikely for most of US as ‘particularly dangerous situation’ with hail, high winds hits parts of country
Domin Kari
