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Former Benin President released from house arrest

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Former Benin President released from house arrest

Mumbere Peter - June 22, 2019

Millions of Hindu pilgrims took the plunge into sacred rivers at the world's largest religious gathering Monday, led by ash-smeared holy men and accompanied by religious chanting. On the most auspicious day of the months-long Kumbh Mela festival, devotees rose at dawn in the northern city of Allahabad to immerse themselves at the confluence of three rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Thousands of Naga Sadhus, a devout, fierce and famously nude sect of followers of the Hindu god Shiv, and other holy men clad in saffron robes, led the mass bathing in the chilly waters, some brandishing swords and tridents. Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred rivers cleanses them of sin and Monday's Mauni Amavasya Snan -- the "no moon day" -- is considered the holiest of the gigantic 48-day festival that runs until March 4. More than 30,000 police were on duty to manage the huge crowds and prevent the deadly stampedes that have marred previous gatherings. Authorities have spent about $40 million on an operation to block drains and make sure others undergo special cleansing so that waste water pouring into the rivers does not threaten the pilgrims. AFP / SANJAY KANOJIA Pilgrims have been streaming into a temporary tent city three times the size of Manhattan island to participate in the festival's high point Special skimmer boats collected waste from the surface of the rivers and more than 40,000 temporary toilets have been installed. Pilgrims have been streaming into a temporary tent city -- three times the size of Manhattan island -- in buses, trains and cars to participate in the festival's high point. The confluence of the three rivers is considered especially holy and Hindus believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and bring salvation. Nearly 12 million people attended the inaugural bathing ritual on January 15 and about 120 million are expected during the whole festival. Devotees meditate on the banks of the rivers after the dip and collect Ganges water in cans to take home. Many observe complete silence for the rest of the day after their ritual bath. According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a war over a sacred pitcher, or kumbh, containing the nectar of immortality. During the clashes, a few drops fell to earth at four different locations -- one being Allahabad. The historic city was recently renamed Prayagraj by the state's Hindu government but is still widely known as Allahabad, the name it was given by Muslim rulers hundreds of years ago.

World News

Millions take the plunge at India’s religious mega festival

Our soldiers will not always be here to protect Africa: France warns

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Our soldiers will not always be here to protect Africa: France warns

US issues warrant for seizure of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar

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US issues warrant for seizure of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar

16 African countries agree to adopt Kiswahili as a formal language

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16 African countries agree to adopt Kiswahili as a formal language

Mumbere Peter - August 17, 2019

Trump 'not happy' after N. Korea's Kim oversees latest rocket test

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Trump ‘not happy’ after N. Korea’s Kim oversees latest rocket test

Wang Ruo - August 25, 2019

Nigeria presidential inauguration as Buhari starts second term

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Prince Ebuka - May 29, 2019

More than 100 dead after cyclone hits Mozambique, Zimbabwe

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More than 100 dead after cyclone hits Mozambique, Zimbabwe

Andrew Mbeki - March 17, 2019

Nigeria's Plateau 8th Assembly Member shows off at valedictory

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Nigeria’s Plateau 8th Assembly Member shows off at valedictory

Uzo Kingsley - June 7, 2019

Nigeria’s Opposition PDP to move legal team against Gov. Lalong over LG polls

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Nigeria’s Opposition PDP to move legal team against Gov. Lalong over...

Uzo Kingsley - October 16, 2019

Zimbabwe's ex-president Mugabe to be buried next Sunday (Presidency)

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Zimbabwe’s ex-president Mugabe to be buried next Sunday – Presidency

Andrew Mbeki - September 8, 2019

Chinese communities around world welcome Year of the Pig

World News

Chinese communities around world welcome Year of the Pig

Andrew Mbeki - February 5, 2019

S. Korea lawmaker grills official nominee for not giving birth

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S. Korea lawmaker grills official nominee for not giving birth

Wang Ruo - September 3, 2019

skynewsafrica-Sudan's military leader welcomes power-sharing deal

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Sudan’s military leader welcomes power-sharing deal

Abdul Sadiq - July 7, 2019

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Sierra Leone's anti-corruption inquiry taps Ghana, Nigeria expertise

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January 30, 2019

Former Benin President released from house arrest

Former Benin President released from house arrest

June 22, 2019

South Sudan sexual violence victims narrate their ordeals

South Sudan sexual violence victims narrate their ordeals

December 11, 2018

Seven people died and another was seriously injured in a fire which ripped through a building in a wealthy Paris neighbourhood on Monday night, the fire service said. The blaze in the French capital's trendy 16th arrondissement also left 27 people -- including three firefighters -- with minor injuries. "The toll could still increase because the fire is still in progress on the 7th and 8th floors" of the eight-storey block, fire service spokesman Captain Clement Cognon told AFP at the scene. Described by firefighters as a "scene of incredible violence", the blaze started at about 1:00 am (0000 GMT). Its cause is so far unknown. AFP / AFP Map locating a building blaze in Paris where seven people have died overnight Monday Some of those affected scrambled on to nearby roofs to escape the smoke and flames, and needed to be rescued by fire crews. With landmarks including the Trocadero overlooking the Eiffel Tower, Paris Saint-Germain's home stadium the Parc des Princes, the picturesque Bois de Bologne and an array of upmarket shops and restaurants, the area in the capital's southwest is popular with tourists. Captain Cognon added: "We had to carry out many rescues, including some people who had taken refuge on the roofs. Thirty people were evacuated on ladders." At approximately 5:00 am (0400 GMT), fire crews had finished evacuating the block on rue Erlanger but were still fighting the flames. Two adjacent buildings were also evacuated as a precaution and local officials were on site to help find housing for residents who could not go back to their homes. Around 200 firefighters were still at the scene in the early hours of Tuesday, battling the blaze and treating the injured. AFP / Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT Around 200 firefighters were still at the scene in the early hours of Tuesday, battling the blaze and treating the injured Several streets of the chic neighbourhood were cordoned off by police and fire crews, and an AFP journalist said a strong smell of smoke was in the air. In late December, two women and two girls died from asphyxiation in a fire that broke out in a public housing block in a suburb northeast of Paris. And in January a gas explosion followed by a fire killed four people in the 9th arrondissement.

Seven dead in Paris building blaze: fire service

February 5, 2019

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