Human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe commended the U.S. president “for his leadership on matters such as global warming, ending nuclear proliferation, bringing to an end poorly regulated financial markets, and making more friends than enemies for the U.S., for showing what presidents must do [and not do].”

VATICAN CITY (AP)—The Vatican says it has stripped charismatic African Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo of his priestly duties because he defiantly continues to ordain bishops despite already being excommunicated.

DEFROCKED—In this Jan. 29 file photo, Zambian prelate Emmanuel Milingo takes part in a TV show in Milan, Italy.

A Vatican spokesman, Rev. Ciro Benedettini, says last Thursday’s announcement of the defrocking means any future ordinations by the Zambian prelate will be considered invalid by the Catholic Church.

by Celean Jacobson

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—South Africa’s former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who gained notoriety for her dogged promotion of lemons, garlic and olive oil to treat AIDS, has died. She was 69. The ruling African National Congress said Tshabalala-Msimang died in a Johannesburg hospital Dec. 16 from complications related to a 2007 liver transplant.

TSHABALALA-MSIMANG

Tshabalala-Msimang’s disastrous HIV policies during her nine years in office made her the most unpopular government minister in post-apartheid South Africa. She was ridiculed locally and internationally and nicknamed “Dr. Beetroot”—another one of her suggested AIDS remedies—and “Dr. Garlic.”

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—South Africans say a new Hollywood film about sport, race and Nelson Mandela will tell the world about the country’s history of struggle and triumph despite some criticism that the lead roles are played by American actors.

Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus” depicts Mandela, South Africa’s first Black president, as a strategist for racial reconciliation, working to bring Whites and Blacks together after the end of apartheid by supporting the country’s mostly White national rugby team.

PORTRAYS MANDELA—Actor Morgan Freeman arrives for a local premiere of the film “Invictus” in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dec. 8.