For most of the tens of thousands of anti-Japanese demonstrators who took to the streets of Shanghai on Saturday, it was the first public protest they had ever seen, let alone taken part in. A few over the age of 35 remembered the pro-democracy campaign of 1989.
Zimbabwe has invited five heads of state and two prime ministers from the Southern African region for its 25th anniversary of independence celebrations. Presidents Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia and Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania are expected to attend the silver jubilee celebrations on Monday.
Warring factions in Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to begin a long-delayed disarmament campaign on May 14, the latest bid to stave off a resumption of hostilities in this war-divided nation. Both sides agreed on Saturday to begin pulling heavy arms away from front lines that divide the nation beginning April 21.
The Crusaders turned in a powerful second-half performance to humiliate the Stormers 51-23 in their Super 12 clash at Newlands on Saturday evening. After trailing 6-3 at the break, the New Zealanders rattled in seven second-half tries to leave home fans dumbfounded.
Mr Ridwan has treated in recent weeks an increasing number of patients suffering from what he calls ”inner heat”. ”They are afraid and they are looking for calm,” he told The Observer. ”I talk their problems through and pass on to them my inner strength.”
It is a task as delicate as earning the respect of Don Corleone on his daughter’s wedding day. A team of software developers are turning The Godfather, hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made, into a video game. Unfortunately, the early signs of displeasure suggest they are more likely to end up sleeping with the fishes.
Belinda du Toit is close to tears when she describes the letter she received from her alleged mercenary husband Nick a few days ago, sent from inside Equatorial Guinea’s notorious Black Beach prison, where he is held for his role in a coup plot. ”He says he is so thin that he looks like a grain of rice. He says it is only the thought of his family that is keeping him going.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was considering taking legal action against two Johannesburg newspapers, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday. The newspapers reported that the Scorpions were investigating alleged kickbacks paid by arms manufacturer Denel.
Kaizer Chiefs kept up the pressure on Orlando Pirates when they beat Ajax Cape Town 2-1 after leading 2-0 at the interval in a Castle Premier Soccer League game played at Newlands on Sunday afternoon. Chiefs are now six points behind the log leaders with a match in hand.
South African rugby has something to shout about again. After weathering a storm of blistering running attacks by New Zealand in the second half with brave defending at Kings Park in Durban on Sunday, the Baby Springboks regained the IRB World Under 19 title they won in Paris two years ago.