A post template

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

New local diamond facility launched

Africa’s efforts to derive greater benefits from its mineral wealth were boosted on Wednesday with the launch of South Africa’s first black-owned diamond-cutting and -polishing facility. Southern Africa accounts for more than 40% of the world’s diamond output with Botswana being the world’s largest producer of the gem.

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

Bhutto issues ultimatum to Musharraf

Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto threatened on Wednesday to lead a mass protest march to the capital unless President Pervez Musharraf quits as army chief, holds elections and restores the Constitution. Bhutto, the politician most capable of mobilising street power, gave Musharraf until Friday to comply.

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

Belgium govt talks on brink of collapse

Long-running talks to form a new Belgian government were on the brink of collapse on Wednesday as tensions flared between Flemish and Francophone lawmakers over the sensitive issue of voting rights. Speculation has grown that political divisions could eventually lead to Belgium breaking up.

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

‘They took off and left the engine behind’

A Nationwide Boeing 737 had to make an emergency landing at Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday afternoon when an engine fell off during take-off. The plane, which had been bound for Johannesburg, landed safely after airport fire and rescue services hurriedly cleared the debris from the runway. There were 106 passengers on board.

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

Euro soars to another new record

The euro soared to another record high against the sagging dollar on Wednesday, climbing above ,47 for the first time, while the British pound reached ,10. The 13-nation euro hit ,4730 in afternoon European trading before slipping back to ,4682 — still well above the ,4554 it bought in New York late on Tuesday.

No image available
/ 7 November 2007

Violent protests engulf Georgian capital

Georgian police firing rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons fought running battles with anti-government protesters on Wednesday, plunging the ex-Soviet republic’s capital, Tbilisi, into chaos. All day hundreds of riot police in black body armour clashed with demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili.