After Mali, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic, France is being forced to withdraw troops from yet another former African colony that pivoted to Russia after souring on Paris: Niger.Faced with growing anti-French sentiment since a military takeover in Niger in July, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to bring home 1,500 counter-terrorism …

‘France out!’ when former colonies give Paris the bootMon, 25 Sep 2023 11:08:49 GMT Read More »

The July 26 coup in Niger unleashed a power struggle that remains unresolved between the new military leaders and the ECOWAS regional bloc backed by several Western nations demanding the elected president’s return.But France’s decision to pull out its ambassador and then troops by the end of the year could now help to break the …

Niger power struggle grinds on two months after coupMon, 25 Sep 2023 07:27:56 GMT Read More »

A performer on a wheelchair, another who is blind and a third with Down syndrome share the stage for a pioneering new dance show seeking to push the boundaries in Tunisia.Choreographer Andrew Graham says “the show is not about disability at all” but rather a celebration of diversity and inclusion that also involves migrants and …

‘Break down walls’: Tunisia dance show celebrates diversityMon, 25 Sep 2023 01:46:35 GMT Read More »

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced that France would withdraw its ambassador from Niger, followed by the French military contingent in the coming months, a move welcomed by Niger’s military leaders as a “step towards sovereignty”.Macron’s announcement comes two months after a coup in the west African country that ousted the pro-Paris president.”France has decided …

France withdrawing ambassador, troops from Niger after coup: MacronSun, 24 Sep 2023 23:19:57 GMT Read More »

Fly-half Handre Pollard, back from injury and called up to the South Africa World Cup squad last week, is likely to play in their final pool game against Tonga, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said on Sunday.The 29-year-old, who was a key part of the World Cup winning team in 2019, was initially ruled out …

Pollard in line to play for South Afria against TongaSun, 24 Sep 2023 19:14:45 GMT Read More »

Every little detail counts in an isicathamiya competition: the harmony, the choreography, the costumes, the entrance on stage, the exit and, of course, the singing. On Saturday night at a Durban theatre in eastern South Africa, Philani Ntuli and his group of 15 singers have just aced their performance, drawing loud cheers from the public. The precise …

A cappella singing warms Durban’s Zulu soulSun, 24 Sep 2023 12:08:11 GMT Read More »

About a dozen women hunch over sewing machines in Libya’s capital, urgently making clothes for the living, and shrouds for the dead, two weeks after a huge flood devastated the eastern city of Derna.In the war-battered north African country that has long been divided between two rival governments, the tragedy that killed thousands has sparked …

Flood strengthens Libya’s national fabric, volunteers saySun, 24 Sep 2023 11:53:18 GMT Read More »

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa smashed the women’s marathon world record by more than two minutes in Berlin on Sunday as Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s race for a record fifth time. Assefa clocked 2hr 11min 53sec, more than two minutes ahead of the previous world mark of 2:14:04 set by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in Chicago in …

Assefa smashes women’s marathon world record in Berlin, Kipchoge wins men’s raceSun, 24 Sep 2023 10:32:10 GMT Read More »

Ireland are on the cusp of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after a thrilling 13-8 victory over defending champions South Africa in a riveting Pool B match at the Stade de France on Saturday.The Irish top the pool and round off their campaign against Scotland in a fortnight while the Springboks, who are second, play …

Ireland on brink of World Cup last eight after edging SpringboksSat, 23 Sep 2023 22:19:33 GMT Read More »

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber struck a defiant note after Saturday’s nerve-jangling 13-8 defeat to Ireland, claiming the defending champions can still win the World Cup. South Africa lost their opening pool match to New Zealand in 2019 before going on to lift the Webb Ellis trophy and Nienaber believes the Boks can do it again. “In …

Defiant South Africa ‘can still win’ World Cup, says coachSat, 23 Sep 2023 22:08:33 GMT Read More »