The South African National Editors’ Forum has condemned the introduction of a Bill governing news coverage of national buildings and institutions as constitutionally incompatible. Sanef said the draft Key Points and Strategic Installations Bill of 2007 violated constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
A total of 1 136 patients were transferred from public to private hospitals during the public-sector strike at a cost of R24,9-million, the Department of Health said on Monday. The private hospital groups, which include Life Healthcare, Medi-Clinic and Netcare, agreed to charge lower fees.
United States sales of the seventh and final Harry Potter volume hit an estimated 8,3-million in the first 24 hours, confirming its place in the history books as the fastest-selling book. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comfortably beat the previous 2005 Potter instalment, which posted US sales of 6,9-million copies in the first 24 hours.
Bulgaria said it was hopeful of an agreement with Libyan authorities on Monday that would pave the way for the release of six foreign medics convicted of infecting Libyan children with HIV. Prospects for the release of the five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor appeared to rise after France’s first lady and a top European Commission official flew to Libya.
Somalis are still streaming out of the violent capital, Mogadishu, with the amount of those fleeing outnumbering the ones returning, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Monday as daily attacks continue to convulse the city of one million.
Police fired rubber bullets at protesting residents in Kliptown, south of Johannesburg, on Monday after being pelted with stones during a service-delivery protest. Police spokesperson Captain Phillomon Khorombi said the protesters were gathered at the Kliptown shopping centre.
South African striker Benni McCarthy illustrated why he was targeted by Chelsea with one of the goals in Blackburn Rovers’ 2-0 Intertoto Cup win over FK Vetra of Lithuania on Sunday. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho tried to lure McCarthy to Stamford Bridge last month but Rovers coach Mark Hughes refused to sell.
Ireland hailed its new sporting hero, golfer Padraig Harrington, on Monday after he won the British Open by one shot at Carnoustie in a thrilling play-off with Spain’s Sergio Garcia. ”Harrington’s victory — the first by an Irish player since Fred Daly’s at Hoylake in 1947 — was the stuff of supreme sporting drama,” said the Irish Times.
Australia’s Casey Stoner, on a Ducati, won the United States MotoGP in dominant style on Sunday to extend his World Championship lead. Stoner won the 115,52km race in 44 minutes and 20,325 seconds, finishing 9,865 seconds in front of compatriot Chris Vermeulen on a Suzuki.
Perched on the rocky southern ridges of Mount Bjelasnica, the Bosnian village of Umoljani is both new and ancient. Destroyed during the 1992 to 1995 war, its stone-and-wood huts have been rebuilt, as good as old. Its welcoming people, handmade artefacts and organic food are a window into the past and a hit with tourists seeking a different sort of holiday.