One of three earthquakes that hit Russia’s remote north-eastern Kamchatka peninsula almost completely destroyed three small villages, local authorities were quoted as saying early on Saturday by Interfax news agency. Up to 180 people were evacuated on Saturday from the villages of Korf and Tilichiki.
Nepal’s King Gyanendra vowed to give up power but not the throne on Friday in a last-ditch attempt to placate protesters and win over political parties who want to end the 237-year-old rule of the Shah dynasty. Within minutes, the largest political party, the Nepali Congress, dismissed the king’s gambit.
Two men accused of attempted murder after a brutal racist attack on a German citizen told federal investigators on Friday that they had nothing to do with the assault. ”Both of the accused denied having anything to do with the crime and presented an alibi,” federal prosecutor Kay Nehm told reporters in the south-western city of Karlsruhe.
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was on Friday locked in a battle of wills with the Hamas government, revoking its decisions to create a new special force and name a top militant to a key security post. The head-on collision sent tensions soaring between the moderate Palestinian Authority president and the radical Islamists, marking the first time Abbas has revoked decisions by the Hamas government since it was sworn in last month.
African Union officials travelled to Chad on Friday to study the situation eight days after a rebel attack on the capital was repulsed. The AU civilian and military officers will stay in Chad for a week to gather information for a report to the AU’s Peace and Security Council ”for the appropriate follow-up”, according to a statement released late on Thursday.
This year’s World Book Day coincides with the release of the Exclusive Books Homebru showcase of local literature. Darryl Accone checks out the list.
The Nu Folk Festival is set to thrust local alt-country stars into the limelight, writes Lloyd Gedye.
Nadine Botha sees Angelique Kidjo, Lauryn Hill, Regina Belle and Bongo Maffin — all in one weekend.
Mustafa Maluka’s gigantic portraits make us confront individuals from the outside. He spoke to Niren Tolsi.
Protesting security guards have threatened to disrupt next week’s Freedom Day celebrations at Pretoria’s Union Buildings if their 11% wage demand is not met. ”We are saying there can be no Freedom Day celebrations while there are people who are oppressed,” said Jackson Simon, security coordinator at the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu).