Colombo, Sri Lanka | AFP | Sri Lanka Saturday slashed a tax on sugary drinks in a controversial reversal of an anti-diabetes policy that attracted immediate criticism. The finance ministry ordered an immediate 40 percent reduction in the levy as part of a package of tax cuts launched by the …
Read More »George H.W. Bush and Trump -a study in presidential contrasts
Buenos Aires, Argentina | AFP | One US president talked softly, the other harangues. One built international coalitions, the other tears them up. One was a war hero, the other avoided battle. One was called George H.W. Bush and the other, Donald Trump, is in the White House today. Trump …
Read More »‘Hero’ Drotske gives thumbs-up after robbery horror
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Former Springbok World Cup winner and Super Rugby coach Naka Drotske was pictured Saturday making a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed after being shot during an armed robbery. The 47-year-old was wounded in the abdomen and arm late Thursday at the home of …
Read More »Niger reports sharp drop in new AIDS infections
Niamey, Niger | AFP | The number of new AIDS infections in Niger dropped by more than two thirds between 2012 and 2016, the health ministry said Saturday, in a statement marking World AIDS day. Health Minister Idi Illiassou said new infections in the four-year period under review fell from …
Read More »Egyptian actress to face trial for wearing racy dress
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | An Egyptian actress is set to face trial in January for wearing a see-through dress at the Cairo film festival this week that showed her legs, a judicial source said Saturday. Rania Youssef appeared at the closing session Thursday of the Cairo International Film Festival …
Read More »Wilder vows to knock out Fury at heavyweight title weigh-in
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Deontay Wilder, weighing in at 212.5 pounds for his WBC heavyweight world title defense against Tyson Fury on Friday, vowed to knock out the British challenger. Wilder wore a black leather facemask to the weigh-in outside of Staples Center, but that was as …
Read More »Odds stacked against DRC Club, Ugandan in charge of security in CAF Cup final
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP & THE INDEPENDENT | Congolese side V Club admit it will be “very difficult” to overcome a 3-0 deficit against Raja Casablanca of Morocco Sunday when they host the CAF Confederation Cup final second leg. There have been 108 two-leg CAF club finals in four …
Read More »Now, River Plate refuse to play Libertadores in Madrid
Buenos Aires, Argentina | AFP | River Plate said Saturday they have refused to play the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors in Madrid. The match between the Argentine arch-rivals has been moved to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium after it was twice postponed last weekend after River Plate fans …
Read More »Gorbachev hails Bush for role in ending Cold War
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Saturday praised former US president George H.W. Bush for his role in ending the Cold War, calling him a “true partner”. Gorbachev, 87, expressed his “deep condolences” to the family of the 41st US president and the entire American …
Read More »G20 leaders agree on Bush tributes, but little else
Buenos Aires, Argentina | AFP | A Sino-US showdown on trade loomed Saturday as G20 leaders wrapped up tense summit talks with a rare show of unity over the death of former president George Bush. There was an implicit contrast in some of the tributes offered at the Buenos Aires …
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