Pakistan rally for sacked judge

Thousands of people in Pakistan have rallied in support of the suspended chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry

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'Empowered women could combat Islamic extremism'

Empowering Arab women would help prevent increased radicalism within Muslim society in Israel and the Middle East, according to Ephraim Halevy, a former head of the Mossad and the National Security Council.

Jerusalem Post

SA workers march for more money

Public-sector workers in South Africa have gone on indefinite strike with thousands marching through cities demanding a 12% pay rise.

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For generations Zulu homes have run tests to ensure their daughters fetch a higher "lobola", the traditional payment made by the groom's family to the bride's family.

Sthabile Buthelezi, 25, said she had been attending virginity testing sessions since 1994.

"Boys should be taught to be good mannered as well, not just girls."

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Three Swedes freed from Ethiopia

Three Swedish men have been released by Ethiopia after being detained for five months on suspicion of helping Islamist militants in Somalia.

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xenophobic south africa

The UNHCR spokesperson described the attacks as xenophobic, saying that Somalis "stand out and are much more of a target" because of their ethnicity and religious beliefs, but economics were also a factor because "local merchants accuse the Somalis of competing unfairly"

• somalinet

Ivorian militias start to disarm

Last month a UN-patrolled barrier zone between President Gbagbo's troops and the New Forces rebels was removed. The rebel chief Guillaume Soro was also named prime minister, something that would have been inconceivable just six months ago.

But many Ivorians doubt whether the old enemies, President Gbagbo and Mr Soro, are really the men to unite the country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6673457.stm