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Foreign dignitaries to speak at Mandela memorial
Tributes from foreign dignitaries at the Nelson Mandela memorial service will include:
- President Barack Obama (USA)
- President Dilma Rousseff (Brazil)
- Vice-President Li Yuanchao (China)
- President Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia)
- President Pranab Mukherjee (India)
- President Raul Castro Ruz (Cuba)
Dancing in the stands as crowds wait for memorial
Dancing has broken out in the stands of the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg as the crowds await the start of the national memorial service to remember Nelson Mandela.
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Thai PM refuses to quit ahead of new elections
Thailand's prime minister has refused to resign ahead of national elections set for February 2, despite opposition demands she step down as the caretaker head of government.
Yingluck Shinawatra spoke the day after she announced elections - on the same day the main opposition leader ended a massive protest rally of 150,000 people by insisting his movement had now assumed broad political power.
Ms Yingluck told reporters: "I must do my duty as caretaker prime minister according to the constitution. After the parliament is dissolved there must be elections according to the constitution. Then, the newly elected prime minister can assume his or her position".
Obama arrives in South Africa for Mandela service
President Obama has arrived in South Africa where he will deliver a speech at the national memorial service in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Mourners gather in stadium four hours ahead of service
Mourners have begun to fill the FNB Stadium ahead of the Nelson Mandela memorial service.
Despite the rain, the crowds are singing and dancing. The service is due to begin at 9am UK time.
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Stadium gates open ahead of Mandela memorial
The gates have been opened at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and people have begun to pour inside ahead of the Nelson Mandela national memorial.
Queues form at stadium ahead of Mandela service
People have begun queuing outside the FNB stadium in Johannesburg ahead of the national memorial service for Nelson Mandela. More than 80,000, including world leaders, are expected to attend.
More than 80,000 expected at Mandela memorial
More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the memorial service for anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The stadium is where the former South African president made his last public appearance at the closing ceremony of the 2010 football World Cup.
Singing crowds gather ahead of Mandela memorial
Singing crowds have begun to gather outside Johannesburg's FNB Stadium ahead of the national memorial service for Nelson Mandela.
