Libya’s top legal body meets on Monday for a session that could see it commute to prison terms the death sentences on six foreign medics convicted of infecting children with the virus that causes HIV/Aids. The meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council comes after families of the children were said to have accepted compensation totalling around -million.
A strong earthquake killed at least seven people in Japan on Monday, injured more than 800, flattened houses and started a small fire at the world’s largest nuclear power plant, Japanese media and officials said. Two women in their 80s died when their homes collapsed due to the magnitude 6,8 tremor, centred in Niigata prefecture about 250km north-west of Tokyo.
Australia fullback Julian Huxley has been ruled out of the Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks on Saturday after picking up an injury when he was playfully tackled by a teammate at a party. The 27-year-old has played in all Australia’s six Tests this year in the absence of the injured Chris Latham.
Zimbabweans are shopping like there’s no tomorrow. With police patrolling the aisles of Harare’s electrical shops to enforce massive price cuts, the widescreen TVs were the first things to go, for as little as R283 ($40). The police and groups of ruling party supporters could be seen leading the charge for a bargain.
David Cronin’s recent article ("EU aid puts health on the back seat", July 3) leaves one with the impression that the European Union is failing poor countries and alleges a "lack of focus on health and education" by EU donor support that "will put the achievement of the United Nations millennium development goals in jeopardy". This is simply untrue.
The promulgation of certain sections of the new Children’s Act on July 1 has caught the attention of the public and media. Some have applauded, others have said it is controversial and they are up in arms about it. Those in favour say the Act deals effectively with the pragmatic concerns of our time — HIV/Aids, burgeoning numbers of orphans, writes Ann Skelton.
Matthew Buckland predicts that newspapers of the future will be luxurious, pricey items.
Virgin Money has turned one. The newborn got off to a brilliant start. But, its toddler years might prove to be a bit more challenging. So far, Virgin has signed up 180 000 card holders. This is ahead of its original business forecast of 150 000 cards in the first year.
The former unionist turned businessman and media mogul, Marcel Golding, hardly ever grants interviews. But he recently spoke to journalist and member of Parliament Ben Turok in a wide-ranging interview about his company, its owners and the ordinary workers who are benefiting. Turok started by asking him about when he first conceived of a trade union-owned company.
Michel Hayek, a butcher’s boy who has risen to the status of an Arab media celebrity, has the knack of making accurate predictions in an anxious and uncertain Lebanon looking for answers. "I believe everyone has what I have. It’s a sense like your eyes, or your ears. If I feel something strongly, I follow my instinct," says the man nicknamed the "Nostradamus of the Middle East".