A new alliance of Darfur factions urged rebel leaders on Monday to forego personal interests and unite to make peace with the Sudanese government. In a statement issued in the Eritrean capital of Asmara, the United Front for Liberation and Development demanded ”equal representation” for all rebel movements battling the Khartoum regime in Sudan’s western Darfur.
Businessman Billy Rautenbach, best known in South Africa and Botswana for his activities in assembling Hyundai cars, on Monday denied reports that he was arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and deported to Zimbabwe. In a statement released on his behalf, Rautenbach confirmed that he was in the DRC last week.
A woman in Zimbabwe had her leg broken in a crush of people desperate to buy scarce sugar following a delivery in the eastern town of Marondera, reports said on Monday. A queue about 800m long built up on Saturday outside a supermarket where 30 tonnes of sugar had just been delivered, said the state-controlled Herald newspaper.
Former Afghan king Mohammad Zahir Shah, whose 40-year reign coincided with one of the most peaceful periods in the country’s recent history, died on July 23, aged 92. President Hamid Karzai declared three days of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half mast for the man heralded as ”father of the nation”.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan celebrated on Monday a decisive poll victory but now faces challenges over delayed presidential elections, Kurdish separatist violence and Ankara’s troubled European Union bid. His AK Party boosted its share of the vote in Sunday’s parliamentary elections to 46,5%
Archbishop of York John Sentamu warned Anglican conservatives on Monday that boycotting a church summit next year means they will effectively expel themselves from the worldwide communion. United States liberals, who sparked the row in the first place by ordaining an openly gay bishop, have locked horns with conservatives from Africa and Asia.
The South African National Editors’ Forum has condemned the introduction of a Bill governing news coverage of national buildings and institutions as constitutionally incompatible. Sanef said the draft Key Points and Strategic Installations Bill of 2007 violated constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
A total of 1 136 patients were transferred from public to private hospitals during the public-sector strike at a cost of R24,9-million, the Department of Health said on Monday. The private hospital groups, which include Life Healthcare, Medi-Clinic and Netcare, agreed to charge lower fees.
All rounder Sanath Jayasuriya claimed his 300th one-day wicket to help Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory in the second one-day international on Monday. Sri Lanka cruised to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after Bangladesh’s batsmen continued their disappointing form by being bowled out for 137 in 46.5 overs.
Bulgaria said it was hopeful of an agreement with Libyan authorities on Monday that would pave the way for the release of six foreign medics convicted of infecting Libyan children with HIV. Prospects for the release of the five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor appeared to rise after France’s first lady and a top European Commission official flew to Libya.