The United Nations nuclear agency declared Iran had failed to halt nuclear work by a Thursday deadline, and Tehran defied the threat of sanctions by vowing never to abandon a programme the West fears could give it atom bombs. ”The Iranian nation will never abandon its obvious right to peaceful nuclear technology,” Iranian state radio quoted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying.
At least 35 people were feared dead after a boat capsized in the Ganges river on the outskirts of Patna, the capital of India’s eastern state of Bihar, police said on Thursday. Authorities said the boat was carrying about 60 passengers, including farmers and children, when it sank.
The United Nations Security Council on Thursday voted to create a UN peacekeeping force in Sudan’s Darfur region, despite the Khartoum government’s strong opposition. The vote was 12 in favour, with abstentions from Russia, China and Qatar, the only Arab council member.
Fixed-line telephone operator Telkom surprised on Thursday by announcing that it is preparing to enter the pay television market. The first step in this process has been the creation of Telkom Media, which on Thursday applied to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa for a commercial-satellite and cable-subscription broadcast licence.
Embattled Springbok coach Jake White on Thursday met with the president of SA Rugby Regan Hoskins, rugby experts, selectors and ex-coaches to discuss issues in South African rugby that will ensure the consistent success of the Springboks. The meeting comes in the wake of a five-game losing streak for the Springboks.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) investigators were on Thursday searching 34 premises in the Pietermaritzburg area for alleged fraud in the Msunduzi municipality. The buildings being searched included the offices of the municipality’s officials, business premises of service providers and residential properties of some council workers, NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said.
One of the accused in the Jeppestown killings says he was not in the house during the bloody shoot-out in July, the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court heard on Thursday. One of the defence attorneys, representing accused number six, told the court his client should be granted bail as he had an alibi.
A Malawian opposition lawmaker who is also one of the country’s most popular singers was on Thursday sentenced to 21 months of hard labour for faking his educational qualifications. Chief resident magistrate Luke Mabowoza Gama told a packed courtroom that he found 35-year-old Lucius Banda guilty of forgery and lying.
Business and financial news television network CNBC will launch an affiliate channel in Africa, CNBC said on Thursday. In an agreement with Africa Business News, CNBC will launch the first regional business and financial TV news channel for sub-Saharan Africa, a statement from the company read.
Evidence will be presented that Dirk Prinsloo, former lover of Cezanne Visser, followed a consistent pattern of abusive behaviour towards women, the Pretoria High Court heard on Thursday. Prinsloo’s former wife and girlfriend will be called to testify how he behaved towards them.