The independent Burundian human rights organisation Iteka reported earlier this week that 20 people suspected of belonging to the rebel group Parti pour la libération du peuple Hutu-Forces nationales pour la libération (Palipehutu-FNL) had been arrested and are being detained by security police. One woman detainee was said to have been tortured and to be in a critical condition.
Mittal Steel came under fire this week for creating a "state within a state" in impoverished Liberia, according to a newly released report by human rights group Global Witness. In a report entitled Heavy Mittal? Global Witness said the steel company’s $900-million deal to exploit iron-ore reserves should be substantially renegotiated.
There is little doubt that there will be a further rate hike when the monetary policy committee meets next week. Inflation numbers have crept up to 5%, a rapid rise since its near-term low in April of 3,7%. Producer price inflation (PPI), which ultimately feeds into consumer inflation, continues to be a major concern, especially as imported capital and raw goods have started to climb as a result of rand weakness.
That’s it! I have had enough. The next time I’m at a conference where the coverage of Africa by the Western media is ritually condemned, I will wrestle the microphone from the speaker and declare: "There is no conspiracy to undermine the continent, no plot to perpetuate its poverty, no plan to ruin its reputation," writes Michael Holman, former editor of the <i>Financial Times</i>.
The United Nations Security Council has confirmed that at 9.30am on Monday October 9 it will meet to nominate formally the next secretary general — and it will have been a genuine process of elimination. On Monday, the first council straw poll revealed the vetoes hitherto held up the delegates’ sleeves, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon had 14 votes to encourage his candidacy, and only one "no opinion".
Close on a decade and four albums later, Live are one of rock music’s more important and widely respected players when it comes to enthused originality and balls-to-the-wall, feel-good modern rock. Jason Curtis speaks to Chad Gracey about their new album, sushi and U2.
Gad Kaplan asks whether South African wines have a unique identity worth promoting.
Many elderly people are happy to be confined to their sofas and to perform only essential chores in and around the house. But 81-year-old "Tannie" Tienie Roos – actually Dr Roos – is bucking this trend.
Schools could soon be dishing out indigenous meals to hungry learners.
Education Minister Naledi Pandor and KwaZulu-Natal Education Minister Ina Cronje have been targeted in a landmark legal challenge aimed at protecting poor parents and pupils.