An uneasy calm settled over a Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon on Friday after the Lebanese army declared victory in 33 days of fighting against al-Qaeda-inspired militants. The battle for Nahr al-Bared camp in which 172 people were killed was Lebanon’s worst outbreak of internal violence since a 1975 to 1990 civil war.
One of President Thabo Mbeki’s VIP protection-unit bodyguards has appeared in court in Cape Town after allegedly shooting a man dead in a shebeen on the weekend. The Western Cape head of the Independent Complaints Directorate, Thabo Leholo, confirmed on Friday that Sergeant Sabata Vula faced charges of murder and attempted murder.
It doesn’t get much bigger for local musicians than sharing the same stage on an international billing with the Rolling Stones. And for Arno Carstens and his band, New Porn, what to many rockers is just a dream will become reality on Saturday as the local lads play main support to the Stones in San Sebastian, Spain.
Under-fire defending champion Floyd Landis will be among the notable absentees when the 94th edition of the Tour de France kicks into gear on July 7. Landis’s future is still in limbo following his positive test for testosterone, which brought the Tour to its knees only days after he had sealed a spectacular yellow jersey triumph in Paris last year.
”We may be Americans but we’re not stupid,” Alexi Lalas says wryly as, in his role as president of LA Galaxy, he leans back in his boardroom and strokes the smooth and gleaming jawline that used to be covered by the most famous ginger beard in world football.
As in politics, a week can be a long time on the football scene. Last Thursday the Premier Soccer League showcased its success as a brand by signing a multibillion-rand deal with pay-television channel SuperSport. Then the South African Football Association lost the man who had breathed hope into the almost comatose body of the association.
Ask most top female tennis players anything remotely personal and they are likely to steer the conversation towards their forehand or the latest handbag they have designed. But Justine Henin does not deal in handbags: she deals in real life. And what a complex and eventful life it has been.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been taken aback by the decision of players such as Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho to miss a reception with Nelson Mandela on the club’s tour of South Africa. ”It could appear to be a bit surprising,” Laporta was quoted as saying.
Ralph Nader, the independent candidate blamed by many Americans for United States President George Bush’s election victory in 2000, says he is considering a run for the White House next year — even at the risk of dishing the Democrats again.
Nigeria’s crippling general strike entered its third day on Friday after overnight talks between labour unions and government ended in deadlock. Banks and schools remained closed across the country. The price of what little fuel was available on the black market continued to climb with public transport costing four times the usual price.