Angola high court dismisses challenge to August vote News
Angola high court dismisses challenge to August vote

The Angola [BBC backgrounder] Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed four opposition parties’ challenge to the August 23 election in which one party gained over 60 percent of the popular vote. The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola party (MPLA) [Britannica backgrounder] now holds [Africa News report] 150 out of 220 seats in the nation’s parliament. The court said that the election and recounts were “free, transparent, and fair.” This marks the MPLA’s fourth victory in a row. Former Defense Minister Joao Lourenço’s presidential inauguration will be on September 21.

Angola has enjoyed large economic growth and increased stability following the end of the nation-wide civil war in 2002. However it was unsuccessful in addressing problems such as corruption. In early 2010 Human Rights Watch (HRW) called [JURIST report] on the government to increase its effort to fight corruption affecting the majority of its citizens who are not able to enjoy the improvements of the country. In January 2010 the parliament of Angola approved [JURIST report] a new constitution ending the popular election of the president and replacing the interim constitution that had been in place since 1975. In 2012 HRW urged [JURIST report] Angola to respect citizens’ freedom of speech.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Congress passes Sedition Act

On July 14, 1798, Congress passed the Sedition Act, which declared that any treasonable activity, including the publication of "any false, scandalous and malicious writing," was a high misdemeanor, punishable by fine and imprisonment. Learn more about the Sedition Act from the National Archives and Records Administration.

Bastille Day in France

On July 14, 1789, ordinary citizens of France stormed the Bastille prison and freed prisoners held there. The event has come to symbolize the opening salvo in the French Revolution. One year later, France celebrated the establishment of a short-lived constitutional monarchy in Fête de la Fédération. The anniversary, Bastille Day, is celebrated today as a major French national holiday. Learn more about Bastille Day from the Government of France.