Global media chiefs launched a scathing attack on Monday on Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the Kremlin’s tight grip on media flew in the face of Russia’s professed attachment to democracy and voicing deep scepticism of any ”real willingness” to allow a free press.
War-weary Somalis heaved sighs of relief on Monday as Islamist militia claimed to have wrested complete control of the capital from a United States-backed warlord alliance, ending months of bloody fighting. Yet many voiced concern at what the future would bring, with the city’s 11 Sharia courts vowing to re-establish order.
Rafael Nadal moved to within three wins of defending his French Open crown when he subdued a battling and determined Lleyton Hewitt to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros on Monday. The 20-year-old Spanish second seed racked up his 57th consecutive clay court win with his 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 triumph.
Australian troops fired teargas at rampaging gangs in East Timor on Monday, trying to keep a lid on violence as the tiny nation’s Parliament met for the first time since peacekeepers were deployed. Youths attacked each other with rocks and spanners and used petrol bombs to set houses ablaze.
Gauteng’s budget for HIV and Aids was increased by 47,8% to R515,4-million for the coming financial year, provincial minister of health Brian Hlongwa said on Monday. ”This confirms our unwavering commitment to ensure that we bring this epidemic under control,” he said.
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The Congress of South African Trade Unions has charged that its alliance partner, the ruling African National Congress, is making contradictory statements on whether or not its deputy leader, Jacob Zuma, has been summoned to account for statements made during his recent rape trial.
More arrests in the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) hoax e-mail saga are expected, police said on Monday. Speaking outside the specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria where Muziwendoda Kunene appeared on a charge of fraud relating to the e-mails, Captain Dennis Adriao said more arrests are expected.
The tripartite alliance in Gauteng has agreed that its members should not say things about each other ”that cannot the withstand the test of time”. Gauteng African National Congress secretary David Makhura was addressing a press conference on Monday following the alliance’s provincial ”summit”.
The Council of Education Ministers has approved measures to beef up security at public schools, and the department will identify ”problem schools” needing immediate attention, Minister of Education Naledi Pandor announced on Monday. These are aimed at schools around the country.
The first African country led by a democratically elected woman began recruiting women into its new post-war army on Monday. The new army will initially number 2 000 troops, and roughly 400 of them will be women, said Edith Bawn, spokesperson for the government body responsible for overseeing the creation of the armed forces.