SENIOR foreign affairs official Robert McBride on Friday rejected as incorrect several media reports that he was being investigated and could be charged for the alleged assault of a woman outside an escort agency in the early hours of the morning. McBride said in a statement that the incident referred to did not happen outside […]

ZAMBIAN fuel production is expected to be shut down for several weeks while urgent repairs are carried out after fire damaged the nation’s only oil refinery, officials said on Thursday. The shut-down is likely to affect copper production, Zambia’s main hard currency earner. The Energy Ministry said it will import processed fuel and may have […]

A SIERRA Leonean newspaper editor was released over the weekend after being held for three days on suspicion of collaborating with rebels. Jonathan Leigh of the daily Independent Observer had been picked up by Ecomog, the Nigerian-led intervention force responsible for security in Sierra Leone. Leigh said that he has been instructed to “report back […]

THREE Americans, members of an evangelical Christian group alleged to be mercenaries, go on trial in Harare’s high court on July 12 on charges of plotting terrorism and sabotage acts against the government, court officials said on Friday. Harare magistrate Jefta Makasa ordered prison authorities to bring them before him again on June 4 when […]

CATHY O’DOWD and Ian Woodall will reach the peak of Mount Everest on Saturday, if all goes well, Punt Geselsradio reported on Monday. O’Dowd and Woodall will leave for Camp 1 on Tuesday, where they will rest for a day. On Thursday they will try to reach the second camp and on Friday the third […]

BOTSWANA’S first independent radio station has been granted a licence, breaking a 33-year government monopoly on broadcasting, the station’s general manager said on Thursday. Radio Yarona FM will broadcast within a radius of about 40km of the capital Gaborone, is expected to be on air within four months, and hopes to draw 50000 listeners, said […]

AFRICAN National Congress Women’s League stalwart Adelaide Tambo underwent a two-hour surgical operation at Johannesburg’s Milpark hospital on Monday morning after being injured in a car accident over the weekend. Tambo, widow of late ANC president Oliver Tambo, was rushed to hospital by ambulance after an allegedly drunk driver collided with her car in Sharpeville […]

LIBERIAN President Charles Taylor on Saturday reinstated cabinet ministers and heads of public corporations whom he sacked last week for failing to attend a national prayer service. In a radio address, Taylor said he took the decision based on appeals “for clemency for the dismissed officials from all quarters of our society, including the religious […]

THE African National Congress and the Gauteng division of the Inkatha Freedom Party resolved to postpone the opening of the Thokoza Monument until after the June 2 elections. The move was taken to “ensure peace and foster reconciliation”. Campaign duties prevent the presidents of the parties being present before the poll, and their participation will […]

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Monday 10.30am. FORMER Springbok captain Tiann Strauss was on Monday named in Australia’s 22-man squad. Strauss became eligible to play for Australia this season after completing his three year residential term, although he was named as a replacement. David Wilson was reappointed as Wallaby rugby captain, replacing injured skipper John […]