The ongoing love affair between the American networks and the extremes of reality TV has led to accusations that ABC television has subjected seriously obese people to unacceptable levels of risk in its new show, Fat March. The network has filmed a dozen contestants who weigh up to 235kg as they complete a 920km walk.
Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, held talks on Monday with Iraqi leaders in the first visit by a French minister to Baghdad since Paris’s opposition to the United States-led invasion in 2003. The highly symbolic three-day visit marked France’s wish to forge a role in Iraq and build bridges with the US.
Here are the headlines: Hillary Rutledge (19) was killed when the car she was driving hit two tractor-trailers; Desirae Scott (19) passed away from an accidental drug overdose; Nathan Benner (22) drowned and his body was found in a gorge. Welcome to the world of Mydeathspace.com.
Academics from around the world have protested to Germany’s federal prosecutor about the arrest and detention of a Berlin sociologist who is accused of associating with a terrorist group — apparently on the basis of his academic work. Andrej Holm was arrested three weeks ago on suspicion of aiding a militant organisation.
The woman who became the unofficial face of the millions of illegal immigrants striving to remain in the United States has been deported to her native Mexico almost a year to the day after she took refuge in a church in Chicago. Elvira Arellano was arrested as she made her first foray out of her self-imposed sanctuary.
Hurricane Dean strengthened into a category-five storm capable of catastrophic damage on Monday night as its first rain and winds began hitting the coasts of Mexico and Belize. Thousands of tourists fled the beaches of the Mayan Riviera as the fast-moving storm roared toward the Yucatan Peninsula.
Two of the three apartheid police officers convicted last week of an attempt on Frank Chikane’s life 18 years ago visited him on Monday to ask him personally for forgiveness. Apartheid-era police head Johan van der Merwe, who with Adriaan Vlok received a suspended sentence of 10 years in jail, confirmed the meeting.
Four national government departments owe the Gauteng health department more than R43-million for patients treated at hospitals, the department said on Monday. Spokesperson Zanele Mngadi said the provincial department is in talks with the affected national departments for payment.
Congress of South African Trade Unions president Willie Madisha has agreed to meet the South African Communist Party (SACP) to discuss issues around missing donations. This was confirmed by SACP treasurer Phumulo Masualle, who will lead the investigation into the R500 000 donation saga.
The South African National Editors’ Forum on Monday issued a statement on the reporting by the Sunday Times of allegations against Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, saying it believes that the newspaper would have taken sufficient steps to ensure that the information was true and in the public interest.