United Nations peacekeepers from Pakistan arranged armed escorts and provided food for illegal gold smugglers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but did not themselves trade weapons for gold, according to a United Nations report seen by Reuters on Friday.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects the English Premier League champions to be stronger for their title success when they launch the defence of their crown on Sunday. United ended Chelsea’s grip on the championship by winning the league for the first time in four years last season and Ferguson believes that experience will make them even better.
South African rape laws still blame the survivor of rape, People Opposing Woman Abuse (Powa) said on Friday at a protest outside the Johannesburg High Court. ”When it comes to sexual violence, and rape particularly, the laws are really archaic and unjust,” said Powa’s training and public awareness manager Carrie Shelver.
British officials said on Friday they were investigating a new suspected case of foot and mouth outside a previously infected area, but the farmer involved said vets were sure his animals were disease-free. Britain’s chief veterinary officer said early on Friday there was a new suspected case outside a 10km surveillance zone.
Deon Meyer’s distinctive thrillers have done well in Europe, the US and South Africa, writes Yolandi Groenewald.
The FTSE 100 plunged more than 190 points on Friday morning and stock markets across Europe were left reeling from a global credit crisis despite more efforts by the European Central Bank to stem the panic. The ECB had already taken its boldest steps since the 9/11 terror attacks to soothe markets with a massive injection of funds.
Author Andrew Keen has a particular knack for phrasing his criticisms in a way that allows every blogger to feel personally slighted, writes Tim Dowling.
<i>African Writing Online</i>’s inaugural issue features Caine Prize winners Brian Chikwava, Helon Habila, local writer Zukiswa Wanner and others. Percy Zvomuya speaks to the editor, Afam Akeh.
About a dozen protesters gathered outside the Johannesburg High Court on Friday to protest against how rape victims are treated by the law. Some protesters held placards and had their mouths taped shut, while others chained themselves to the court fence. ”Reporting rape equals being raped again in court,” read one placard.
President Thabo Mbeki must convince his counterparts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that the time has arrived to impose limited sanctions against Zimbabwe, says acting Democratic Alliance leader Joe Seremane. In his party’s weekly online newsletter, he said Mbeki had to admit the talks he brokered had ”gone nowhere”.