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The first of a new generation of airships designed by Germany’s Zeppelin corporation was forced to abort its maiden flight from Germany to Japan on Tuesday following delays owing to Russian red tape. In an embarrassing turnaround, the airship will be transported to its new owners in Japan by sea.
A proposed new law that is set to curtail the activities of NGOs in Zimbabwe has grabbed the attention of many among Southern Africa’s human-rights defenders. The NGO Bill of 2004 makes it mandatory for all charities, NGOs and community-based associations to register under a government-controlled authority.
The Sudanese government and the main rebel group in the south of the vast country have extended an ongoing ceasefire for three months, amid deadlock in talks aimed at ending 21 years of conflict, the chief mediator said on Tuesday. A civilian protection monitoring team has said that both sides have violated the ceasefire.
Portugal will not back down from its decision to bar a Dutch ship housing a floating abortion clinic from national waters despite pressure from pro-abortion groups, Minister of Defence Paulo Portas said on Tuesday. The ship had planned to stay in Portugal for two weeks to hand out abortion pills to women with unwanted pregnancies.
A legal battle looms between the army and four South Africans who claim they have been shut out of the military because they tested HIV-positive. The South African National Defence Force has embarked on research with the United States Department of Defence on the effect of the pandemic on the South African military.
A ”dangerous” Hurricane Frances gathered strength on Tuesday, putting the Bahamas on alert and prompting some Florida residents to stock up on basic goods. A hurricane watch was in effect for the south-eastern Bahamas and for the Turks and Caicos islands as Frances moved closer, packing sustained winds of about 215kph.
Local councillors in the Western Cape claim they are victims of ”widescale intimidation” as the opportunity for them to cross the floor without losing their seats approaches. A Democratic Alliance councillor ”has 24-hour protection following [unspecified] threats. He is not sleeping at his own place.”
No words can fully describe the contribution women have made to ensure freedom in South Africa, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday. In a speech to commemorate the 1956 women’s march, he paid special tribute to those women involved in one way or another in the struggle against apartheid.
In a restructuring of senior management after poor results, two executives at Transnet have announced their departure from the parastatal, the company said on Tuesday. Transnet’s entire board — except for newly appointed chief executive Maria Ramos — resigned last week.