No image available
/ 11 November 2006
Running into traffic in a built-up neighbourhood in affluent north Tehran, Sina Mahdavi quickly loses patience. He accelerates, veers perilously close to the kerb to overtake a Peugeot 206, then zig-zags inside to whizz past another car in a hair-raising flash. The speedometer reads 80kph and seconds later we are bumper to bumper with another vehicle in front.
No image available
/ 11 November 2006
Can global conflicts be settled by rock, paper, scissors? Maybe not. But organisers of a RPS tournament in Toronto this weekend want the centuries-old children’s game applied more often to settle lesser fights. "It’s the simplest, fairest way to make a decision or resolve a conflict," said tournament director Graham Walker.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
Jailed African National Congress fraud convict Tony Yengeni could be out in time to make a guest appearance at next year’s opening of Parliament. A source in the Department of Correctional Services said on Friday that the Malmesbury prison parole board has set January 15 as the date for Yengeni’s release.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
Muslim extremists are plotting at least 30 major terrorist attacks in Britain and the threats may involve chemical and nuclear devices, according to the head of Britain’s domestic spy agency. Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of intelligence agency MI5, said young British Muslims are being groomed to become suicide bombers.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
Lovers of fizzy drinks have been warned of shortages in the high-demand December period due to carbon-dioxide supply problems, a bottling company spokesperson said on Friday. The shortages are expected in November and December, ABI spokesperson Michael Farr said.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
The ”Operation Dribble” investigation into match-fixing in South African football was launched in June 2004. More than 40 arrests were made, ranging from club bosses to match commissioners, referees and their assistants. But, more than two years on, only four ”small players” have been convicted of attempting to alter the outcome of matches.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
Israel went on a heightened state of alert on Friday amid fears of Palestinian suicide bombings following a lethal shelling in the Gaza Strip and as gay people staged a controversial rally in Jerusalem. Palestinian groups that had observed a near-two-year truce in attacks inside Israel called for a resumption of suicide bombings.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
One of three teenagers charged with trying to rob illusionist David Copperfield and two assistants as they left a performance has pleaded guilty. The assistants handed over money and a cellphone, but the illusionist turned his pockets inside out to reveal nothing, although he was carrying his passport, wallet and cellphone.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
Mike Auret reflects on the last six years of the biggest shindig for the film industry on the African continent, Sithengi.
No image available
/ 10 November 2006
Stephen King is not just a horror specialist. If his new book, Lisey’s Story, is anything to go by. Brigitte Dusseau in London reports .