The Ugandan military has achieved a major breakthrough in its battle with anti-government rebels after capturing a high-ranking rebel commander described as ”the heeart and spirit” of the rebellion raging in the north of the country. ”Brigadier” Kenneth Banya was captured following a skirmish at Okidi.
The European Union has announced the delivery of €42-million to a United Nations-sponsored global fund to combat Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. The money, part of a €460-million pledge, will be used for programs geared to boost prevention, treatment and care of the three diseases.
A judicial inquiry reported on Thursday that members of the Garda — Ireland’s police force — planted hoax Irish Republican Army weapons and bomb-making equipment in county Donegal in the northwest of the country during 1993 and 1994 in an effort to boost their chances of promotion.
The JSE edged marginally higher on Thursday mainly on the back of global resources group Anglo American and other resources stocks, as well as the weaker tone of the rand. Near-dated futures, meanwhile, closed flat on the back of weaker international markets and a slightly stronger rand.
South African bonds ended weaker on Thursday despite United States data that should have resulted in bonds rallying. The benchmark six-year R153 bond was at 9,710% from 9,650% at Wednesday’s close, 9,700% at Tuesday’s close, 9,580% at Monday’s close and a recent worst level of 10,29% on June 15.
New Zealand has suspended its diplomatic ties with Israel following the jailing of two suspected Israeli spies in Auckland on Thursday. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Thursday that a strong suspicion exists that the men were acting on behalf of the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad.
Listed South African banking group Standard Bank and associated financial services group Liberty Group have announced agreements which will see an effective 10% of Standard Bank’s South African banking operations and 10% of Liberty Life’s South African operations go to broad-based black groupings.
Thirteen people have been killed in two seperate car boms in Iraq. Ten people lost their lives in the first explosion in the northwestern city of Hadithah, while three suicide bombers were killed when their explosive-packed vehicle detonated near a military installation in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.
Living in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, is getting harder as weary residents battle with frequent power cuts, water shortages and the ever-rising prices of basic goods. Harare once boasted the nickname ”Sunshine City” but in the depths of a Zimbabwean winter, it’s looking less and less that way for all residents.
Two Australian men, charged with chewing up and spitting out live mice in a pub competition, appeared in court on Thursday. The men face animal cruelty charges and could face fines of up to Aus,000 or two years in prison if they are convicted. The men were competing for a holiday valued at Aus.