An intensification of storms on the surface of the sun in coming years could disrupt satellites, communications and power grids on Earth and endanger astronauts, United States scientists are forecasting. A new 11-year solar cycle beginning in late 2007 or early 2008 will be between 30% and 50% stronger than the previous one.
Security forces in Zimbabwe have discovered a stash of weapons in the east of the country and arrested a former member of the colonial Rhodesian forces over the find. The cache comprised a Kalashnikov 47 assault rifle, seven Uzi machine guns, four FN rifles, 11 shotguns, six CZ pistols, four revolvers, 15 tear gas canisters and several thousand rounds of ammunition.
A bank run by women for women is being launched in Germany to tailor financial services to female needs in a sector traditionally governed by a very male suit-and-tie brigade. Its name? What else — Frauenbank, or Women’s Bank. The idea was the brainchild of Astrid Hastreiter, a 41-year-old information technology specialist who said she was spurred on by a few observations.
The National Prosecuting Authority will investigate and prosecute companies fronting as black empowerment businesses, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday. The Department of Trade and Industry on Tuesday explained to Parliament the nuts and bolts of the codes of practice of BEE.
Budding artists at Baghdad’s School of Music and Ballet might dream of fame, but few would care to boast of their talents in violence-racked Iraq where religious extremists frown on music and condemn dancing. The school, which was looted after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, is tucked away behind the main Iraqi army base in the capital, one that has been targetted at least five times by car bombers.
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The streets outside the Johannesburg High Court were quiet ahead of the resumption of Jacob Zuma’s rape trial on Wednesday. The streets, usually filled with singing, dancing, placard-waving protesters, showed only the usual early morning dash for the surrounding offices.
The last time John Travolta appeared in a musical it was alongside Olivia Newton John as the smooth-operating matinee idol Danny in Grease, the most successful movie musical of all time. Twenty-eight years later, the Hollywood star is going back to his toe-tapping roots to take on the role of Edna Turnblad in a new film version of Hairspray.
An awful mistake by Werder Bremen keeper Tim Wiese in the 88th minute gifted Juventus a dramatic 2-1 victory in Turin on Tuesday and a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Bremen were hanging on for the 1-1 draw which would have been enough for them to reach the last eight of the competition.
Ronaldhino scored a late goal on Tuesday to lead FC Barcelona into the quarterfinals of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. The Spanish team won the two-leg series 3-2 on aggregate. Ronaldinho scored in the 78th minute after beating three Chelsea defenders and then Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Test cricket’s greatest wicket-taker Shane Warne has admitted his off-field antics with a series of women cost him not only his marriage but also a chance to captain Australia. In a candid interview with The Bulletin magazine, the spin wizard describes himself variously as ”an idiot” and ”a dickhead” for his well-publicised extra-marital sexual escapades.