The Democratic Alliance (DA) has urged the government to improve service delivery in order to halt protest action by disgruntled communities. ”These protests can easily be stopped before they even start by simply ensuring that the basics … are up and running as quickly as possible,” said Paul Willemburg, DA spokesperson on local government.
A militant splinter group has demanded that Britain release a Muslim cleric in return for the freedom of BBC reporter Alan Johnston. The demand was made in a recording posted on the internet with a picture of Johnston’s BBC identity card. Johnston, the only foreign reporter based in Gaza, was kidnapped on March 12.
A British civil servant was jailed for six months on Thursday for leaking an "extremely sensitive" memo detailing talks on Iraq between United States President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair. Communications officer David Keogh was found guilty at London’s Central Criminal Court on Wednesday.
JSE-listed ceramic tiles retailer Italtile on Thursday announced a broad-based black economic empowerment transaction that will see 10,7% of the entire issued ordinary share capital of the company in the hands of black-owned entities. The deal is worth in excess of R400-million.
Four people, including the two grandchildren of a South African anti-apartheid activist, were arrested in Britain in connection with deadly bombings in London two years ago. The British media said Hasina Patel, 30-year-old widow of one of the bombers, Mohammad Sidique Khan, was one of the four held by police.
Chelsea and Manchester United, league champions old and new, produced a strictly mid-table performance on Wednesday in a goalless showdown that came a month too late. The game was downgraded to dead rubber status when United secured the title on Sunday by virtue of Chelsea only drawing 1-1 at Arsenal.
A 45-year-old man has appeared in a South African court for allegedly arranging three strippers for his son’s 16th birthday party attended by up to 20 teenagers, media reports said on Thursday. Prosecutors claim the teenagers were drinking alcohol at the celebrations at the boy’s parental home in March.
Industrialised nations have broken promises to alleviate poverty and provide better health and education, leading to the deaths of millions of people in poorer nations, Oxfam International said on Thursday. Group of Eight (G8) nations had fallen far short of meeting a -billion funding pledge made at a summit in Gleneagles, Scotland two years ago.
Former South African soap-opera actress Lindiwe Chibi has died, media reports said on Thursday. The Muvhango actress passed away at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital on Wednesday night. Chibi (31) was admitted to hospital last Friday suffering from pneumonia.
Diamond mining giant De Beers has called for an expanded mandate for the World Diamond Council (WDC) and for a review and increase in its resource capability. Speaking at the WDC’s annual meeting in Jerusalem, on Thursday, De Beers managing director Gareth Penny said the council has accomplished a great deal and has gained international credibility.