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/ 16 February 2006
René Préval, who was declared Haiti’s new President on Thursday, has pledged to tackle the Caribbean country’s rampant poverty and seek a national dialogue, though he was yet to announce a clear programme. During his electoral campaign, Préval had asked voters to judge him on his performance during his 1996 to 2001 presidency.
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/ 16 February 2006
The Gautrain route has been finalised and can now be cleared for construction to begin, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa said on Thursday. He said preferred bidder Bombela and the provincial government signed an agreement on Wednesday on issues that could affect the cost of the project.
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/ 16 February 2006
There were two prints of baby murder accused Dina Rodrigues’ right thumb on the back of a waybill found at the scene of the killing, a police fingerprint expert told the Cape Town High Court on Thursday. The evidence from Inspector Jan Bester followed his testimony on Wednesday identifying other prints on the document as being those of two of her co-accused, Sipho Mfawe and Zanethemba Gwada.
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/ 16 February 2006
Curling may not be the most glamorous sport at the Turin Olympics but it certainly brings a refreshing family element to the Games. On entering the Olympic curling venue in Pinerolo you could be forgiven for asking whether a school sports day was in process. The only difference is the kids are cheering on the adults.
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/ 16 February 2006
North Korea on Thursday marked the 64th birthday of leader Kim Jong-Il with a bout of sabre-rattling and a warning that a nuclear stand-off will never be settled unless Washington makes concessions. Pyongyang’s state media said celebrations included exhibitions, performances, seminars, parades and a march to Mount Paikdu.
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/ 16 February 2006
The Nintendo DS handheld video-game machine will work as a portable TV with a data reception card that shows digital broadcast set to start in Japan in April, the company president said on Wednesday. An internet browser feature is also in the works for the machine, which has two screens, including one touch panel.
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/ 16 February 2006
Zimbabwe has had to revise down this season’s tobacco production target to just 70-million kilograms, one of its lowest harvests to date, the state-controlled Herald reported on Thursday. The low yields are being blamed on ”late disbursements of funds and shortage of inputs,” the paper said.
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/ 16 February 2006
Brake failure was a major factor in the recent spate of bus accidents, Transport Minister Jeff Radebe said on Thursday. ”Buses involved in these accidents are clearly old and not roadworthy.” He said operators whose buses were involved in accidents due to negligence would be held responsible.
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/ 16 February 2006
In Africa, everything is bigger. Since the second intifada began in 2000, approximately 4 480 Palestinians and Israelis have died — but that is equivalent to a long weekend in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where, the United Nations says, 1 200 people are dying every day from war-related causes.
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/ 16 February 2006
Rockers the Kaiser Chiefs — named after South Africa’s champion soccer side — had a riot at the annual Brit Awards on Wednesday night, picking up a hat-trick of prizes at the biggest and most prestigious night of the country’s music calendar. James Blunt beat off competition from Robbie Williams to bag best British male solo artist.