No image available
/ 30 January 2006
The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has threatened to resign unless Hamas agrees to a government and policies that can win international recognition and continued foreign aid. Abbas has apparently drafted a resignation letter and has warned he will submit it if talks with Hamas do not produce an administration that can work with foreign governments.
No image available
/ 30 January 2006
The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants for crimes against humanity was in disarray on Sunday night after a courtroom session in which Saddam’s half-brother was dragged away by guards, the defence team walked out, and the former Iraqi dictator was ejected following a slanging match with the new chief judge.
No image available
/ 30 January 2006
At a time when concerns about global warming and the need for renewable energy sources are grabbing headlines the world over, it seems particularly regrettable that communities would be afflicted by the theft of solar panels. Yet, this is precisely what is happening in rural areas of Senegal, in West Africa.
No image available
/ 30 January 2006
A South African struggle hero, Murphy "Patel" Morobe, defends a deputy-presidential shopping junket to the so-called United Arab Emirates; dead struggle heroes Govan Mbeki and Raymond Mhlaba supposedly to be illegally exhumed and reburied in the Voortrekker Monument; and more. There must be some connection between these events that have heralded in the first month of 2006.
No image available
/ 30 January 2006
Global unemployment rose to record highs last year in spite of continued strong economic growth, meaning efforts to reduce poverty in a year of increased debt relief and development aid achieved very little. A global employment trends survey shows that half of the world’s 2,85-billion workers are existing on less than the -a-day poverty line — the same as a decade ago.
No image available
/ 29 January 2006
Controversial oil dealer Sandi Majali is suing Minister of Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya for R149-million, according to media reports. Majali was to have received a contract to dispense social grants on behalf of the government, but the Department of Social Development pulled out of the deal.
No image available
/ 29 January 2006
A tearful Roger Federer claimed his seventh grand-slam title on Sunday, overcoming an early challenge from unseeded Marcos Baghdatis to win the Australian Open 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2. Federer will try to win his fourth straight major later this year on clay at the French Open — the only grand-slam event he has never won.
No image available
/ 29 January 2006
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday ruled out contacts with a Hamas-led Palestinian government until the Islamic group renounces violence. Olmert, addressing the weekly meeting of his Cabinet, said he has received widespread international support for the Israeli position toward Hamas.
No image available
/ 29 January 2006
Rescuers searched in bitter cold on Sunday for victims buried when the roof of an exhibition hall in southern Poland collapsed on a racing pigeon show, killing at least 60 people and injuring 141. The death toll rose steadily through the early hours of Sunday as rescuers dug through the building following its collapse at around 5.30pm. (4.30pm GMT) on Saturday in the city of Katowice.
No image available
/ 29 January 2006
Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials on Saturday admitted that they had made a mistake when they announced earlier in the week that Cameroon captain Rigobert Song established a new Nations Cup record when he played his 25th game at the finals.