On a stretch of grass doubling as a parking lot in an impoverished Johannesburg township, a group of party activists chanted “we need new leaders!” timidly followed by a couple of dozen onlookers. “Rise Songezo, Rise!” they continued before introducing Songezo Zibi, the head of Rise Mzansi — a small party among a cohort of … Read more
Valeriy Kucherenko is a decorated “Hero of Ukraine” but the battle he is currently fighting is learning how to eat and use the toilet alone. Seriously injured in October, the burly 30-year-old is a double amputee with two prosthetic arms. More and more Ukrainian soldiers like him are losing limbs in a war that has … Read more
Iran on Sunday urged Israel not to retaliate militarily to an unprecedented attack overnight, which Tehran presented as a justified response to a strike that destroyed its consulate building in Damascus earlier this month. “The matter can be deemed concluded,” Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a post on X just a few … Read more
Australian police on Sunday said a 40-year-old itinerant with mental illness was behind a Sydney shopping centre stabbing rampage that killed six people, including a new mum whose nine-month-old baby is still in hospital with serious wounds. New South Wales police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said the assailant — who was shot dead by a … Read more
I Am Maximus added the Grand National to his Irish National win last year to give trainer Willie Mullins his second victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree on Saturday. Paul Townend termed himself “a lucky boy” after he steered the co-favourite to an ultimately easy win in an Irish 1-2-3 with Delta Work … Read more
Troop reinforcements from Israel’s ally the United States headed to the region on Saturday, with fears of wider war growing more than six months into Israel’s battle against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. After pulling forces from the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis one week ago, Israel’s military said Saturday it was continuing … Read more
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled their countries’ biggest ever upgrade in defense ties Wednesday during a White House state visit focused on countering a resurgent China. Biden rolled out the red carpet for Kishida with a lavish dinner, plus music by US singer Paul Simon, as he underscored Japan’s … Read more
A reduced field, due to a safety review, of 34 will contest the world’s greatest steeplechase The Grand National on Saturday at Aintree racecourse. An astonishing 26 of the runners hail from Ireland, with eight apiece from the stables of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. Aside from the reduction in the maximum amount of participants … Read more
A governing council tasked with filling a leadership vacuum in Haiti and restoring a semblance of order was formally established Friday in the Caribbean nation, which has been rocked by an explosion of gang violence. A decree in Haiti’s official gazette “Le Moniteur” announced the council’s formation, a month after Prime Minister Ariel Henry said … Read more
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, whose penchant for python and flamboyant animal prints made him the darling of the international jet set for decades, died Friday at 83, the luxury company said. “It is with deep regret and a great sadness the Roberto Cavalli Maison participates in the passing of its founder Roberto Cavalli,” wrote … Read more
