Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa is recovering from a minor stroke at an unspecified London hospital, state-run radio reported on Thursday. Government spokesperson Vernon Mwaanga confirmed for the first time on Thursday the reason for Mwanawasa’s hospital visit and told national radio the president was steadily improving.
Trainer Roger Mayweather had his licence revoked and was fined 000 on Thursday for stepping into the ring and triggering a brawl during last weekend’s IBF welterweight title fight between his nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr, and Zab Judah.
N’Djamena appeared calm on Friday, the day after clashes between government forces and rebels seeking to oust President Idriss Déby. Forces loyal to Déby, identifiable by their red ribbons, were deployed in various parts of the city, in particular around the presidential palace, but the number of military vehicles deployed was smaller than the day before.
The long and winding road of Michael Jackson, from King of Pop to strange recluse with cash troubles, has led to a deal that will help avert his bankruptcy in exchange for a slice of music history — his share in the Beatles’ catalogue. Under a deal due to be completed last night, Jackson would offer Sony the option to buy half of his 50% share in the Sony/ATV Music catalogue.
The Pentagon on Thursday faced a deepening rift between its civilian and military leadership over the war on Iraq after a fourth retired general called for the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, to stand down. Major General John Batiste, who led a division in Iraq, said Rumsfeld’s authoritarian leadership style had made it more difficult for professional soldiers.
The misdirected e-mail or SMS is a hazard of our age. It can sour relationships and upset the closest of our friends. But now a stray electronic missive has been blamed for a spate of arrests, a national scandal and a very grumpy president of Iran.
I have not yet seen the film <i>Tsotsi</i>, but last week I read my page-mate John Matshikiza’s strong reservations about the adaptation of the 1950s novella on which the film is based. Director Gavin Hood modernised the story, setting it in a contemporary South Africa. Matshikiza says much of the drama and authenticity have thus been disowned.
One in four married women in Syria is a victim of domestic violence, noted a report released recently by the state-run Syrian General Union of Women. According to the study, funded by the United Nations Development Fund for Women, 22% of married women were assaulted either verbally or physically, with 50% of these citing verbal abuse and 48% saying they were beaten.
The Catholic Education network has declared 2006 Care of the Teacher Year, the Catholic Institute of Education announced. This is to acknowledge the dedication of all teachers and support staff of Catholic schools and the many Catholic teachers and school staff working in public and independent schools throughout the country.
He may have been the boss of a powerful street gang, but Gavin Atkins was buried like a community leader. Scores of residents stood in hymn-singing tribute outside the council flat where his family wept. ”Dis mooi [It’s beautiful],” said more than one onlooker as the long white hearse cruised by