A newly-released letter shows that worried U.S. officials warned Scottish authorities that scenes of jubilation in Tripoli over the release of the Lockerbie bomber would be damaging, and asked that Abdel Baset al-Megrahi not be allowed to leave Scotland. A 2009 diplomatic letter from Richard LeBaron, the charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in London, to Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond was released Monday. It sets out Washington’s opposition to the release, and says even a release on compassionate grounds because of al-Megrahi’s diagnosis for prostate cancer would be more “severely undercut the longer he is free before his actual... Continue Reading
By Novell Zwangendaba – JOHANNESBURG – From the heart of South Africa, focus is on South America today and as Brazil takes over as the hosts of the FIFA 2014 World Cup™. Brazil launches a new international tourism campaign reaching 400 million people in a 100 countries. “Brazil is calling you! Celebrate life here” is the new tourism campaign that was launched on Friday 09 July, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The campaign consists of movies, images and social media elements which aim to encourage the world to visit Brazil for business and leisure and take advantage of the opportunities that... Continue Reading
Daring, innovative and controversial films and filmmakers from around the world will take the spotlight at the 31st Durban International Film Festival which takes place from 22 July to 1 August. The festival programmers have scoured the globe for films that excite, thrill, raise awareness and provoke. These films will be presented in over 200 screenings at venues across Durban and in surrounding communities. Alongside the screenings of films, the festival offers an extensive workshop and seminar programme, as well as training and industry events. The festival is particularly pleased that, in a difficult funding climate, the National Lottery Distribution... Continue Reading
By Shout-Africa – JOHANNESBURG – AstroTech, one of South Africa’s top corporate trainers says, the Government of South Africa needs to devalue rand to push exports and job creation potential Exporters are supporting a likely government move to devalue a strong rand that has hammered export growth. “We track opinions in the import/export industry through a course we run on importing and exporting and there is a very strong view that the rand needs to be devalued to relieve constraints on exports, which in turn are hitting an already weakened manufacturing sector – which is a primary employer,” Liza van... Continue Reading
By Zimbabwe Reporter – CHIREDZI – The famous Colombian singer Shakira landed at Buffalo Range airport Sunday afternoon but no shows are lined up in Zimbabwe. Shakira is on a private visit and returns to South Africa Monday. She has been brought to Zimbabwe by Malilangwe proprietors which runs an adventure company in Gonarezhou, a game park in the lowveld. Fans could almost see her for a few moments but she vanished in just a few minutes in a Merc. Shakira, who did the “Waka Waka” the official song for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was dressed in... Continue Reading
