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Three days of violent protests

Three days of violent protests

THREE days of violence started in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal and spread to Johannesburg, Soweto in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The South African Police have arrested 62 people in connection with criminal acts. Police believe the protests calling for the release of Jacob Zuma, who is serving his 15-month sentence for contempt, has been hijacked by criminal elements. In Alexandra, a police officer was shot and rushed to hospital. Two other officers sustained minor injuries when they responded to information about businesses being looted. The police said 18 people were arrested. [origincode_photo_gallery_wp id="35"]
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Motor racing-Hamilton calls on Hungarians to protect LGBTQ+ rights

Motor racing-Hamilton calls on Hungarians to protect LGBTQ+ rights

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton spoke out against Hungary's anti-LGBTQ+ legislation ahead of the country's Grand Prix and urged voters to protect rights by rejecting it in a coming referendum. The sport's most successful driver of all time is racing for Mercedes at the Hungaroring near Budapest this weekend in the 11th round of the championship that could bring him a record 100th career win. "Ahead of the Grand Prix this weekend, I want to share my support for those affected by the government's anti-LGBTQ+ law," the Briton posted on Instagram on Thursday. "It is unacceptable, cowardly and…
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OPINION: I fled Nigeria for my safety. But many other LGBT+ activists remain under threat in my country

OPINION: I fled Nigeria for my safety. But many other LGBT+ activists remain under threat in my country

MICHEAL IGHODARO I come from Nigeria, one of the 68 countries that continue to criminalize same-sex relations. I had to flee for my life and seek asylum in the US. I was lucky; most people cannot flee. But I was also unlucky because we should not have to flee. In order to protect LGBT+ people in the most hostile places, the possibility to seek asylum is crucial and has to be protected. But what is more, we have to support activists on the ground fighting for change and for safety, so that LGBT+ people can live as their true selves everywhere, without…
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Anger and fear in Ghana as bill seeks to criminalise LGBT+ people

Anger and fear in Ghana as bill seeks to criminalise LGBT+ people

NITA BHALLA A bill in Ghana that would make it a crime to be gay, bisexual or transgender has shocked the local LGBT+ community and raised fears over a possible surge in discrimination and violence against sexual minorities in the West African country. Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, where homophobic persecution is widespread, but the draft law would go much further - making it illegal to be LGBT+ or advocate for LGBT+ rights, and imposing longer sentences. "This bill is a homophobe's dream law," said Danny Bediako from Rightify Ghana, a…
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Over 100 000 Tigray children at risk

Over 100 000 Tigray children at risk

GIULIA PARAVICINI and STEPHANIE NEBEHAY THE United Nations children's agency has revealed that more than 100 000 children in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray could suffer life-threatening malnutrition in the next 12 months, a 10-fold increase to normal numbers. UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado said that one-in-two pregnant and breastfeeding women screened in Tigray were acutely malnourished. "Our worst fears about the health and well-being of children... are being confirmed," she told a briefing in Geneva. Spokespeople for the prime minister and a government task force on Tigray - where fighting between rebellious regional and federal forces have continued since November…
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Libya’s key coast road open

Libya’s key coast road open

LIBYA'S warring sides reopened the main coast road across the frontline, a key element of a ceasefire they agreed last year that has involved months of negotiations. The U.N.-backed 5+5 committee drawn from commander Khalifa Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) and western-based forces that have supported Tripoli-based governments said in a statement the road was open from 0900 GMT. The road, which stretches along the length of Libya's coastline, the most populated part of the country, was cut between the cities of Misrata and Sirte, where the frontline stabilised last summer. It was not open to military traffic, the…
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Five soccer players die after blast hits bus

Five soccer players die after blast hits bus

AN explosive planted on a bus carrying soccer players in Somalia's port city of Kismayo killed at least five players, a police officer said on Friday. "We have confirmed five deaths and more than 12 injuries and we still have some players missing," Captain Ahmed Farah told Reuters by telephone from Kismayo. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack on Friday evening. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's office on its Twitter account the president had sent condolences and put the blame on al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents for the explosion. Al Shabaab, which wants to unseat the central…
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I will not become a dictator – President

I will not become a dictator – President

TAREK AMARA and ANGUS MCDOWALL TUNISIA'S president promised on Friday he would not turn into a dictator and rejected accusations he had staged a coup, as two parliament members were arrested following his decision to lift their immunity when he seized control of government this week. Tunisia has been thrust into a political crisis by President Kais Saied's move on Sunday to dismiss the prime minister and freeze parliament for 30 days, leading major parties to accuse him of a coup. Saied has yet to carry out steps that critics say are needed to reassure Tunisians, including the appointment of…
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The lawyer using sculptures to fight COVID-19

The lawyer using sculptures to fight COVID-19

FAFADZWA UFUMELI NOT so long ago, 40-year-old David Ngwerume was running his law firm ‘Ngwerume Attorney and Law’ and defending clients fearlessly in the courts of Harare. But then COVID-19 struck. Now he uses his free time and a childhood hobby to chisel away in the fight against COVID. In what feels like a different universe - those days before the arrival of COVID-19 - David Ngwerume would be found on most weekdays neatly clad in a dark suit, white shirt and tie, working long hours at his law firm. The restrictions on movement due to lockdowns meant that the…
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