No image available
/ 6 February 2007
Zimbabwe’s Media and Information Commission this week issued publishing licences for the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard, published by Mail & Guardian chief executive Trevor Ncube, despite recent fears that a much-criticised crackdown on media freedom would also affect these newspapers.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
England beat New Zealand by 14 runs in Brisbane on Tuesday to join Australia in the tri-series one-day international finals. Paul Collingwood smashed 106 and Andrew Strauss 55 as England recovered from a slow start to amass a formidable total of 270-7 from their 50 overs. New Zealand made a flying start in their reply, but lost their way in the latter stages to finish on 256-8.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
Two people were hurt on Tuesday when a suspected letter bomb exploded at a business centre in Berkshire, southern England, police said. ”Emergency services are dealing with a small explosion at a company in Oaklands Business Centre, Wokingham,” they added in a statement.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
The 114 000-member Food and Allied Workers’ Union (Fawu) condemned agricultural organisations AgriSA and the Transvaal Agricultural Union on Tuesday for their ”denial of the abuse of farm workers” by farmers in South Africa. In a statement on Tuesday, Fawu came out in support of claims by Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana that abuse of workers by farmers is rife.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
Fifty-eight countries agreed on Tuesday to take action to protect children from being recruited as soldiers in wars, joining for the first time an effort that has been largely confined to NGOs. The 58 countries that signed up to the so-called Paris commitments at the end of a two-day conference include 10 of the 12 nations where an estimated 250Â 000 children bear arms.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
Zimbabwe’s splintered opposition should unite to block plans by President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party to extend his rule by another two years to 2010, the head of a faction said Tuesday. ”We are saying ‘no’ to Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF,” declared Arthur Mutambara, leader of the splinter Movement for Democratic Change.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
Most Gauteng newspapers have condemned the withdrawal of First National Bank’s (FNB) multimillion-rand anti-crime campaign as a cowardly act. They also accused the government and big business of using bullying tactics in the matter. FNB’s R20-million campaign involved print, television and radio advertisements.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
The head of the World Trade Organisation said on Tuesday he sensed fresh determination to conclude the Doha round of talks, but added he would wait for ”substance” before calling ministers together. The WTO negotiations were halted in July after major powers failed to break a long-running deadlock.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to issue a statement concerning possible action against Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Cricket South Africa media manager Gordon Templeton said on Tuesday. Afridi is alleged to have swung his bat at a spectator after he had been dismissed for 17 against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.
No image available
/ 6 February 2007
The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and the Federal Alliance (FA) are to merge before the 2009 general election, the parties announced on Tuesday. Briefing the media at Parliament, FF+ leader Pieter Mulder said his party has been in discussions with Louis Luyt’s FA for a few months, ”in the light of the seriousness of the situation in the country”.