The great-great grandson of Otto von Bismarck, the statesman behind Germany’s 19th century unification, was found dead at his London flat, police said on Wednesday, after a life tainted by scandal. The body of Count Gottfried von Bismarck (44) was found at his home in the upmarket Chelsea district, reportedly surrounded by drugs paraphernalia.
Though alleged killer Najwa Petersen was reportedly suicidal, there was no evidence that being in prison would increase the risk, a forensic psychiatrist told the Wynberg Regional Court on Wednesday. Dr Larissa Panieri-Peter was testifying in a bail application by Najwa, accused of masterminding the murder of her husband, entertainer Taliep Petersen, last year.
The prevalence of HIV/Aids appears to be dropping, prompting the Department of Health to express optimism on Wednesday about its prevention programmes. Preliminary results from a 2006 survey show a statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women using public hospitals, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said.
A new pizza restaurant in western Canada that delivers pornography with every pie has once again proven the adage: sex sells. Porno Pizza in Winnipeg has been doing brisk business since opening last week, titillating the hungry with racy pictures at the bottom of every pizza box.
Australia’s iconic Victoria Bitter beer is about to become less boozy after Foster’s brewery announced it will cut the drink’s alcohol content to lower its tax bill. Foster’s said while the alcohol content was on the hop — to be cut from 4,9% to 4,8% — the taste would remain the same.
South Africa will take only two players from the side that defeated Australia last month into Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash in Sydney against a Wallabies outfit missing suspended winger Lote Tuqiri. Backs Ruan Pienaar and JP Pietersen were the only survivors from the Springboks’ starting line-up that won 22-19 in Cape Town.
Pete Sampras is cheering for Roger Federer to win his fifth Wimbledon title in a row and the retired United States tennis legend says he expects the Swiss superstar will shatter his all-time Grand Slam mark. Sampras, speaking in a conference call with reporters, said on Tuesday that he thinks Federer will capture 18 Major singles titles before his career is over.
The case against five people accused of stealing Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s jewellery was postponed in the Orlando Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The state prosecutor told magistrate Mohammed Jooma that four of the accused — relatives of the struggle stalwart — wanted the case postponed so that they could appoint an attorney.
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula will not resign over statistics that show increases in crime, he told a business briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday. ”Well, I am not going to resign,” he told business people gathered for a breakfast at the Johannesburg Country Club.
Sheffield United will play in the Championship next season, it was confirmed on Tuesday, after they lost their legal battle against relegation from the English Premiership. The Blades had claimed that West Ham should have been docked points rather than being fined over irregularities in the registration of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.