Xenophobia: South Africa, Nigeria committed to close ties – Pres Ramaphosa

PRETORIA, Sept 9 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa and Nigeria are resolute in their shared commitment to build an Africa at peace with itself and others. The President reaffirmed South Africa-Nigeria relations as being firm and strong after his engagement with Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Special envoy…

South African crowds walk out of anti-xenophobia speech

Former IFP Leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi  JOHANNESBURG, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africans have disrupted a speech in Johannesburg by a veteran politician who was trying to quell tensions following a recent wave of deadly riots and xenophobic attacks.Mangosuthu Buthelez was heckled by a rowdy section of the crowd.Dozens of…

Pope Francis wraps up Africa tour with Mauritius visit

PORT LOUIS, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis arrives in Mauritius onMonday on the final stop of a three-nation Africa tour where he is expectedto celebrate the island nation’s tolerance and diversity. The Argentine pontiff will celebrate mass, visit the shrine of a Frenchpriest and meet political leaders in a…

One week after Dorian, Bahamians struggle amid the ruins

NASSAU, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One week after Hurricane Doriandevastated the Bahamas, residents struggled amid the ruins Sunday, with many forced to seek refuge far from their shattered homes as the death toll from the top-intensity storm hit 44 in the islands. Dorian, now classified as a post-tropical storm, caused…

Burkina Faso: At least 29 civilians killed in separate ambush, IED explosion

OUAGADOUGOU, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 29 people were killed intwo attacks in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, in a region prone to jihadist violence, the government said. One vehicle transporting people and goods “rode over an improvisedexplosive device (IED) in the Barsalogho area” leaving at least 15 passengersdead,…

Pope, on Madagascar visit, condemns clan culture of privilege, graft

Pope spoke out against “practices that lead to the culture of privilege and exclusion” ANTANANARIVO, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis, on a visit to Madagascar, on Sunday condemned what he said was its clan culture of privilege and corruption that allows a very few to live in wealth while…

Chile: Mass protest in Santiago against abuses of Pinochet era

SANTIAGO, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets of Santiago on Sunday to honour the victims of General Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship, in a march that started peacefully but ended in violence. Although it has been 46 years since the military coup that brought Pinochet to power,…

Brazil president undergoes hernia surgery, a year after knife attack

President Jair Bolsonaro underwent surgery to repair an abdominal hernia SAO PAULO, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro underwent surgery on Sunday to repair an abdominal hernia, his fourth operation since being stabbed in the stomach a year ago at a campaign rally, his doctors said. The operation…

Georgia: MPs approve controversial new prime minister

TBILISI, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Georgia’s parliament on Sunday confirmed an ex-interior minister accused of cracking down on protesters as the country’s new prime minister, fuelling political tensions in the ex-Soviet nation. Lawmakers voted 98-0 to confirm Giorgi Gakharia as premier in a vote boycotted by the opposition.Advertisement Gakharia, 44,…

Zimbabwe plans Mugabe’s funeral and burial next weekend

HARARE, Sept 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Zimbabwean government plans a state funeral for former ruler Robert Mugabe in a sports stadium in Harare next Saturday, with a burial ceremony a day later, it said in a memo sent to embassies. Zimbabweans have been confused about when they would get to…