News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Nelson Mandela dies at 95

Millions of South Africans and people around the world are mourning the death of Nelson Mandela. Large crowds held a vigil outside the house in Johannesburg where he died last night at the age of 95. The news of his death was announced by South African President Jacob Zuma: "although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss." Mandela spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994. His administration replaced the white-minority apartheid regime. In his inaugural speech, Mandela outlined his vision for the country: "we enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world." Tributes have been pouring in from around the world for the Nobel Peace Prize winner. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described Nelson Mandela as a "giant for justice". The US President Barack Obama paid this tribute: "we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth. Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Madiba transformed South Africa and moved all of us". A service of national mourning is expected to be held at a stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg on Monday. Mandela's body will then lie in state for three days in Pretoria, before a state funeral in the village in the Eastern Cape where he grew up.

The UN authorises French troops for CAR

The UN Security Council has voted to allow French troops to join an African peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic. The move comes amid an upsurge in sectarian violence.

Europe buffeted by heavy storm

Large parts of Europe have been battered by a powerful winter storm. 6 people are reported to have died in the UK, Denmark and Poland. 2 sailors are reported missing off the Swedish coast. The remnants of the storm have also been felt in Austria.

The weather

Stormy with winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour, in the mountains, up to 120 kilometres per hour. Snow, rain and sleet showers moving in from the northwest. Some better conditions at times in the low-lying areas and the south will have most of the sunshine. Highs are ranging between minus 3 and plus 5 degrees, in the south up to 9.

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