Nelson Mandela- Madiba- has died aged 95

People around the world have reacting to the news that Nelson Mandela, one of history's greatest leaders, has died after a long illness aged 95.

Mandela led South Africa out of the racist system of apartheid, and into democracy, becoming the country's first black president.

He had been receiving intensive medical care at home for a lung infection after three months in hospital.

Announcing the news on South African TV President Jacob Zuma said: "Our nation has lost its greatest son."

"Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss."

Mandela's story is an incredible journey - from prison to presidency.

After being jailed for 27 years he became South Africa's first ever black president.

He went on to play an important role in promoting peace and equality across the globe.

Global tributes

World leaders, celebrities and ordinary people have been paying their tributes to him.

Prince William, American President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and sports stars David Beckham and Usain Bolt are among who've said how he inspired them. See more of that by Clicking here.

Inspiring kids

School children in the UK have been giving their reaction to the news.

Kids from Walworth Academy, in London, have been in touch with the BBC's School Report.

Hawa, in year 8, said: "When I found out that Nelson Mandela passed away I was in so much shock. He was a leader, a father and a husband. He was my hero."

Danny, in year 9 , said he is "very emotional and upset. However, I am happy that his legacy will live on".

Khalil said: "He was one of the most influential people of all time. Without him many black politicians would not be in power today, like Barack Obama."

And other pupils from Whalley Range in Manchester added their voices to the tributes.

They said: "As a school we are commemorating Nelson Madela's memory through a whole school minute silence and a tribute video that our media team have created."

Aya, a year 8 student, said: "Everyone is going to remember the difference he has made - He's a true pioneer for Black peoples' rights. People like me wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for people like Mandela fighting for our rights.'

And Maryan added: "He's a true legend and he's proven if you fight for your rights, you can make a difference."

You can pay your tributes to Nelson Mandela on our clicking here to go to our chat page.

Why was he so important?

Find out More about Nelson Mandela and why he as so important by 

clicking here.

From CBBC newsround

Norway PM Jens Stoltenberg works as secret taxi driver

Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg spent an afternoon working incognito as a taxi driver in Oslo, he has revealed.

Mr Stoltenberg said it was the first time he had driven for eight years

Mr Stoltenberg said he had wanted to hear from real Norwegian voters and that taxis were one of the few places where people shared their true views.

He wore sunglasses and an Oslo taxi driver's uniform for the shift in June, only revealing his identity once he was recognised by his passengers.

His exchanges with his passengers were captured on a hidden camera.

The footage - made in collaboration with an advertising company - has been posted on the prime minister's Facebook page and made into a film which will be used as part of his campaign for re-election in September.

"It is important for me to hear what people really think," he told Norwegian media.

"And if there is one place people really say what they think about most things, it's in the taxi."

Driving errors

Some of the passengers who appear in the film had been told to wait for the taxi - without being told who would be driving - while others were picked up randomly and from taxi ranks.

Most of them appear to realise very quickly that there is something different about their driver, with one saying: "From this angle you really look like Stoltenberg."

Another says she was lucky to meet him as she "wanted to send a letter".

The conversation turns to politics in most cases.

Mr Stoltenberg engages one passenger on education, saying: "The main point is to make sure good students have something to stretch for, and to give those who struggle extra help."

None of the passengers was charged for the ride.

Mr Stoltenberg told the VG newspaper: "I'm pretty well known in Oslo, but I tend to sit in the back seat."

Most of the passengers realise quickly there is more to the driver than meets the eye

The Labour prime minister came in for criticism for his driving, at one point jolting the car abruptly when, he said, he mistakenly applied the brake pedal on the automatic car, thinking it was the clutch.

He said he had not driven in eight years.

Mr Stoltenberg is popular in Norway, but opinion polls suggest he is lagging behind the opposition ahead of the election.

But asked by VG whether he would consider becoming a taxi driver full time if he lost the election, Mr Stoltenberg replied: "I think the country and the Norwegian taxi passengers are best served if I'm the prime minister and not a taxi driver."

From BBC News

Malala UN speech: extremists 'afraid of books and pens'

Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai shot by the Taliban in 2012, has called for free education for all children.

She gave the speech on her 16th birthday, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, America.

It was her first time speaking in public since she was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen, while on her way to school in Pakistan in October.

Malala said the Taliban's attack changed nothing in her life, except "weakness, fear and hopelessness died".

Continue reading the main story

"The extremists were, and they are, afraid of books and pens,"Malala said. "They are afraid of women."

She said she was fighting for the rights of women because "they arethe ones who suffer the most".

She called on politicians to take urgent action to ensure every child in the world has the right to go to school.

'One child can change the world'

"Let us pick up our books and pens," Malala said. "They are our most powerful weapons.

"One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.

"Education is the only solution. Education first."

After the shooting Malala was flown from Pakistan to the UK for treatment, and now lives and goes to school in Birmingham.

A 'hero and champion'

The head of the UN, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, also addressed Friday's session.

Calling Malala "our hero" and "our champion", he said: "She is calling on us to keep our promises, invest in young people and put education first."

Malala has been credited with bringing the issue of women's education to global attention.

About 57m people around the world still do not have access to education, and a quarter of young women have not completed primary school.

In March 2013 Malala was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, one of the most respected and prestigious awards in the world.

Obama wins second term

CONGRATULATIONS MR OBAMA!

Barack Hussein Obama was re-elected president of the United States on Tuesday, overcoming powerful economic headwinds, a lock-step resistance to his agenda by Republicans in Congress and an unprecedented torrent of advertising as a divided nation voted to give him more time.

In defeating Mitt Romney, the president carried Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia and Wisconsin, a near sweep of the battleground states, and was holding a narrow advantage in Florida. The path to victory for Mr. Romney narrowed as the night wore along, with Mr. Obama winning at least 303 electoral votes.

From The New York Times