Ethiopia’s crackdown on opposition members and students has spread outside the capital, while thousands of detainees are at increasing risk for abuse, a leading human rights group said on Wednesday. Human Rights Watch has obtained reports of mass arrests in at least nine cities outside of Addis Ababa.
Police in New Zealand broke down the door to an Auckland home after receiving an emergency call from the building, only to find that the call had apparently been made by the resident cat. It seems Tabby the cat had rung the 111 emergency number while taking a stroll across a telephone.
Most single Britons regard a holiday romance as an essential part of a summer vacation, but most will fizzle out within a week of returning to the British drizzle, a survey revealed on Wednesday. Nearly half of those polled said the heady mix of sun, sea and sand made falling in love all the easier.
Lawyers representing black economic empowerment company Imvume Management have declined to provide the Democratic Alliance with information regarding its transactions and contract with state oil and gas company PetroSA and Glencore International. This follows a report in the <i>Mail & Guardian</i> on the "Oilgate" scandal.
South Africa’s major mining companies on Wednesday signed a commitment to achieve the sector’s previously established health and safety targets — which aim for zero fatalities and injuries as well as the elimination of silicosis and hearing loss. The targets were established at a mine health and safety summit held in 2003.
Roger Federer, having endured another French Open heartbreaker, returns to more friendly Grand Slam surroundings next week, bidding to take another step closer to smashing Pete Sampras’ record of seven Wimbledon titles. Injured Andre Agassi has pulled out of Wimbledon for the second straight year.
There was still no clarity on Wednesday as to when President Thabo Mbeki will announce Jacob Zuma’s successor as deputy president — but an acting president has to be appointed to fill the shoes of Mbeki when he is in Nigeria on Sunday.
The JSE Securities Exchange was weaker in noon trade on Wednesday on the back of selling ahead of the afternoon’s futures closeout. The losses came despite a weakening in the rand from levels seen earlier in the day. At 12.1pm, the all share index was down 0,31%.
South Africa’s introduction of cellphone number portability — an environment that will enable cellphone subscribers to keep their numbers irrespective of which network they use — has been put on hold until at least next year, it emerged on Wednesday after a stakeholders’ meeting.
Surprise World Cup group leaders Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Angola face awkward assignments this weekend as they pursue first appearances at the international football showpiece. Group 2 frontrunners South Africa host close challengers Ghana in another crucial clash.