A Buddhist humanitarian aid group said on Friday that two troop trains packed with soldiers collided head-on in North Korea in April leaving more than 1 000 dead. The reported accident occurred in Kowon County in the remote and rugged north-eastern province of South Hamkyong on April 23 when a train’s brakes failed on a downhill stretch of track.
The new general secretary of South Africa’s largest union is a hard-core communist who believes African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma has had a raw deal. Frans Baleni was elected unopposed at the National Union of Mineworkers congress recently.
The agriculture minister in the North West province has been hauled before an internal African National Congress committee for admitting in court papers that the provincial ANC is torn by infighting. Party sources said Elliot Mayisela had been ordered to appear before the ANC’s provincial officials committee to explain his statement.
A wave of anger and indignation has met remarks by Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula that ”constant moaners” about crime should rather leave the country. Accusing Nqakula of insensitivity, political parties, agricultural leaders and non-government bodies said on Friday the minister is out of touch with reality.
Maintaining the impressive growth momentum of recent months, South Africa’s May aggregate new vehicle sales of 52 534 units reflected an improvement of 6 671 vehicles or 14,5% compared to the 45 863 new vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) reported on Friday.
At least 73 militia fighters and 13 soldiers were killed last week in the Ituri province of north-east Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), military and United Nations sources said on Thursday. Regular soldiers clashed with rebel militia during a joint mission by the Congolese armed forces and UN troops, according to a UN spokesperson.
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Down a dusty ally, past noisy chicken coops and roving bands of small children, about 50 Ivorian football supporters gaze intently at a tiny TV screen suspended from the rafters of the green canvas awning at the X-Five bar. Côte d’Ivoire has qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time this year.
Africans need to think of themselves as Africans before they worry about national identities if the continent is to meet the challenge of growth, South African Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel said on Thursday. He was speaking in a panel debate at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, which is being held in Cape Town.
Botswana’s Kalahari Bushmen are seeking the support of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie in their fight to reclaim their ancestral lands, a London-based organisation supporting them said on Thursday. Jolie — a United Nations Children’s Fund ambassador — is currently in neighbouring Namibia.
About 11 people burnt to death on Thursday in an accident involving a taxi in Isipingo near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal police said. Spokesperson Inspector Rani John said the accident happened on Old Main Road and Umbumbulu Road when a taxi and truck collided.