The Vatican has disconcerted Italian politicians by endorsing a proposal by radical Muslims for a weekly ”Islamic hour” in schools with a strong Muslim presence. The Speaker of the Italian Senate, Marcello Pera, said the suggestion was ”the diametric opposite of any kind of attempt at integration”.
Nine people have been found dead in two suspected group suicides in Japan this week, despite efforts to stem an alarming rise in death pacts by people meeting over the internet. Police discovered the bodies of five men and a woman — all in their 20s — in a van in a forest in Chichibu, 80km north-west of Tokyo, on Friday.
The trains have stopped running, the big wheel no longer spins and the elephant is packing its trunk. Californian authorities have effectively shut down Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch, saying the singer has not paid wages or insurance since the end of last year.
The United States and Europe should provide troops and money for a major international peacekeeping force for Darfur, the new United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Mark Malloch Brown, said on Friday. Malloch Brown said only modern mobile forces, trained in helicopter operations, can be effective in Darfur.
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South Africa has taken a giant step towards the goal of gender equality and the emancipation of women in the recent municipal election, President Thabo Mbeki said on Friday. The election results show the success the African National Congress has achieved to increase the numbers of women in the municipal system, he said.
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The first week of Jacob Zuma’s trial ended on a dramatic note with the court hearing he had unprotected sex with his HIV-positive rape accuser and she was treated in a mental institution. Meanwhile, Zuma says he will emerge from his trial on rape charges with his popularity intact.
Australia levelled the Standard Bank one-day international series against South Africa with a close-fought one-wicket victory at Kingsmead on Friday night, thanks largely to a magnificent knock by all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who made 76 off 71 balls. Chasing a modest target of 247 to win, Australia got off to a flying start.
Transnet labour unions will proceed with ”unprecedented” strike action on Monday, which could see more than 50Â 000 workers staying away. South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union secretary general Randall Howard said the union hopes to delay the date of Metrorail workers’ transfer to Transnet.
Shaun de Waal reviews William Kentridge Prints which demonstrates the full range of his printmaking.
Zadie Smith’s novel On Beauty and Ali Smith’s The Accidental live to fight another day at the women-only £30 000 Orange prize for fiction, reports John Ezard in London.