Two men accused of attempted murder after a brutal racist attack on a German citizen told federal investigators on Friday that they had nothing to do with the assault. ”Both of the accused denied having anything to do with the crime and presented an alibi,” federal prosecutor Kay Nehm told reporters in the south-western city of Karlsruhe.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was on Friday locked in a battle of wills with the Hamas government, revoking its decisions to create a new special force and name a top militant to a key security post. The head-on collision sent tensions soaring between the moderate Palestinian Authority president and the radical Islamists, marking the first time Abbas has revoked decisions by the Hamas government since it was sworn in last month.
African Union officials travelled to Chad on Friday to study the situation eight days after a rebel attack on the capital was repulsed. The AU civilian and military officers will stay in Chad for a week to gather information for a report to the AU’s Peace and Security Council ”for the appropriate follow-up”, according to a statement released late on Thursday.
Nadine Botha sees Angelique Kidjo, Lauryn Hill, Regina Belle and Bongo Maffin — all in one weekend.
The Nu Folk Festival is set to thrust local alt-country stars into the limelight, writes Lloyd Gedye.
This year’s World Book Day coincides with the release of the Exclusive Books Homebru showcase of local literature. Darryl Accone checks out the list.
Mustafa Maluka’s gigantic portraits make us confront individuals from the outside. He spoke to Niren Tolsi.
Protesting security guards have threatened to disrupt next week’s Freedom Day celebrations at Pretoria’s Union Buildings if their 11% wage demand is not met. ”We are saying there can be no Freedom Day celebrations while there are people who are oppressed,” said Jackson Simon, security coordinator at the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu).
The Western Force led for most of the match and had a late try disallowed to draw with the first-place Canterbury Crusaders 23-23 in a Super 14 rugby match on Friday. Playing the final home game of their inaugural season before 30 000 spectators at Subiaco Oval, the Force had a try by Haig Sare disallowed with three minutes left.
Nepal’s King Gyanendra caved in Friday after two weeks of pro-democracy protests and asked the opposition to name a new prime minister in a speech to the nation. ”We return the executive power of the country to the people,” he said on state-owned Nepal television.