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The Independent

Yemen on brink of ‘major catastrophe’: UN aid chief

Aden, Yemen | AFP | UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned Saturday that Yemen was “on the brink of a major catastrophe”, as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country. His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Huthi rebels and pro-government forces in …

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Protests as Sri Lanka cuts tax on sugary drinks

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 …

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‘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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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