Editor : Joseph Vhudzijena

Bobbi Kristina Brown has got engaged to her "adopted" brother Nick Gordon The aspiring actress - who is the daughter of Bobby Brown and the late Whitney Houston - surprises her dismayed family with the news in a preview from her upcoming reality show Houstons: On Our Own , nervously telling them: "We're engaged!" Nick was informally adopted by Whitney when he was 12 and the pair were raised as brother and sister. They were "always close" growing up but their relationship changed as they got older and they sought comfort in each other after Whitney's death in February and started living like a couple in Atlanta. The reality series will follow how the pair and other family members - Whitney's brother Gary, sister-in-law (and the singer's former manager) Patricia Houston and Bobbi's grandmother Cissy Houston - have coped with life since the tragic passing of the I Will Always Love You singer. Cissy recently announced her concern f...

Oct 12 2012 12:07 Malcom Sharara, Fin24’s correspondent in Zimbabwe ZIMBABWEAN workers in most spheres of the economy might be earning far less than their South African counterparts, but going on strike is a luxury they cannot afford. While South African miners demanded and some were awarded wages above R11 000, their Zimbabwean counterparts are earning less than R2 000. I am sure the wages of South African truckers are currently way above those of their Zimbabwean counterparts. Mind you, South African miners are earning wages above the average $250 that Zimbabwean civil servants are earning. Surprisingly, Zimbabweans rarely go on strike, and in the cases where they have done so employers simply ignore them until they come back to work. Civil servants demonstrated in the streets of Harare in July and handed over a petition at parliament in which they called on government to urgently address their grievances for a salary increase. However, up to now nothing has materialised. They last ...

Residents in Zaka have warned that there is worsening violence in Masvingo province, with ZANU PF being blamed for a growing number of attacks and incidents of intimidation. Most recently, the ward chairman of the MDC-T in Zaka Central was hospitalised along with his wife after their home was petrol bombed by suspected ZANU PF members last week. Nelson Bvudzijena and his wife were rushed to St. Anthony’s Musiso hospital with reportedly serious injuries. A resident in Zaka told SW Radio Africa this week that the attack on the Bvudzijena home followed a confrontation between the ward chairman and a gang of known ZANU PF thugs. The argument is believed to have been about Bvudzijena’s loyalties to the MDC, which prompted the ZANU PF members to threaten him. The thugs are said to have warned Bvudzijena that they “would come for him at night.” Days later, Bvudzijena’s home was burned down while was sleeping. The resident explained that not one of the perpetrators of the arson attack was arr...

By Tichaona Sibanda 08 October 2012 Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has threatened to pull out of the inclusive government if his party supporters continue to be victims of political violence. Speaking in Zaka, Masvingo province this weekend, the Premier said he would soon convene an emergency council meeting to decide whether or not to stay in the inclusive government. The district of Zaka witnessed some of the worst cases of political violence during the 2008 elections. A number of MDC-T supporters were petrol bombed and killed during the orgy of violence, largely perpetrated by soldiers and ZANU PF militia. Last week the party’s ward chairman in Zaka, Nelson Bvudzijena, was injured when his house was petrol bombed. He was taken to the St Anthony’s Musiso hospital were the MDC leader paid him visit. Tsvangirai also accused ZANU PF leader Robert Mugabe of being a hypocrite, who denounced violence by day and promoted it by night. He told his supporters that his message to Mugabe is t...

This handout illustration obtained by Reuters October 11, 2012, shows the interior of the planet 55 Cancri … LONDON (Reuters) - Forget the diamond as big as the Ritz. This one's bigger than planet Earth. Orbiting a star that is visible to the naked eye, astronomers have discovered a planet twice the size of our own made largely out of diamond. The rocky planet, called '55 Cancri e', orbits a sun-like star in the constellation of Cancer and is moving so fast that a year there lasts a mere 18 hours. Discovered by a U.S.-Franco research team, its radius is twice that of Earth's with a mass eight times greater. That would give it the same density as Earth, although previously observed diamond planets are reckoned to be a lot more dense. It is also incredibly hot, with temperatures on its surface reaching 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit (1,648 Celsius). "The surface of this planet is likely covered in graphite and diamond rather than water and granite," said Nik...

Johannesburg - The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) will start identifying what strategic sectors of South Africa should be nationalised, deputy president Ronald Lamola said on Monday. "The NEC (national executive committee)... has begun internal deliberations to take forward the resolution for strategic nationalisation and will be making submissions to the ANC," Lamola told reporters in Johannesburg. "The mineral wealth to be nationalised should be based on the economic importance of the mineral or sector concerned." This was a resolution taken at the ANCYL's national executive committee meeting on August 17 and 18. Lamola said the ANCYL would propose that Sasol [JSE:SOL], Kumba Iron Ore [JSE:KIO] and Arcelor Mittal [JSE:ACL] be among the companies to be nationalised. The league was looking for others to add to the list. "We are now scouting," he said. Minerals such as iron, platinum, vanadium, manganese and zinc should also be added to the list. Lamola said...

Like clergymen, scientists do not enjoy sharing their ignorance and failures with their audiences. In fact, up until Einstein wrote (in 1905) the three papers that would earn him the title “ man of the century ,” scientists were so sure they had figured out 98% of everything there is to figure out about the universe. For 300 years before Einstein, Newtonian physics was the unchallenged truth: there is matter (stuff) which is made of elements and compounds, then there is energy (gravity, magnetism, electricity, etc) which connects and steers matter, and of course there is a lot of void (vacuum or nothingness ). What was there not to understand? Well, a little before Einstein came to the scene, another scientist by the name of Max Planck was asking why metal, like iron, turned red when it was heated. Red is supposed to signify lesser energy than all the other colors in the electromagnetic spectrum. Then Einstein wrote the three papers that would explain Planck’s mystery and forever c...

The Marikana massacre has exposed an increasingly tense relationship between the ANC leadership and its fractious members in North West. It has also created ground for Mangaung battles. The strained relationship between the mineworkers, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and, by extension, the ANC, created a vacuum that expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema sought to fill this week. Malema, suspended youth league secretary general Sindiso Magaqa and league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu have been in Marikana with the miners since Friday last week. They arranged legal representation for the 259 miners who were arrested and joined the workers in laying charges of murder against the police. But Malema denied that he was on a personal and anti-Zuma crusade, using the tragedy for his own political agenda. "I can't sit back while my people are being killed and pretend as if it is not happening," he said this week. "I have an obligation to intervene and r...

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A Nepali man who was bitten by a cobra snake bit it back and killed the reptile in a tit-for-tat attack, a newspaper said on Thursday. Nepali daily Annapurna Post said Mohamed Salmo Miya chased the snake, which bit him in his rice paddy on Tuesday, caught it and bit it until it died. "I could have killed it with a stick but bit it with my teeth instead because I was angry," the 55-year-old Miya, who lives in a village some 200 km (125 miles) southeast of the Nepali capital of Kathmandu, was quoted by the daily as saying. The snake, called "goman" in Nepal, is also known as the Common Cobra. Police official Niraj Shahi said the man, who was being treated at a village health post and was not in danger of dying, would not be charged with killing the snake because the reptile was not among snake species listed as endangered in Nepal. (Reporting by Gopal Sharma, Editing by Elaine Lies and Michael Perry)

JOHANNESBURG — The recent deadly strikes at Lonmin's Marikana Platinum mine in South Africa revealed the country's "structural problems" which could damage investment, Fitch rating agency said on Friday. "The protests highlight broader structural problems that have long weighed on South Africa's rating," Fitch said in a statement. "These include policy uncertainty, particularly regarding the mining sector, and lack of progress on education and labour reforms which ... has resulted in insufficient growth to create the jobs required to put a dent in an unemployment rate of 25 percent." About 3,000 rock drill operators at Lonmin launched an illegal strike on August 10 that quickly devolved into clashes with non-strikers. Ten people including two police were killed, leading to the crackdown on August 16 when police gunned down 34 armed miners. The strikes would not immediately affect South Africa's rating, but long-term failure to fix the...

Julius Malema (File) Related Links Louw expects fast semi SA women downed by NZ Yanks circumvent TV control Johannesburg - Former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has defended the racial make-up of the SA Olympic team after suggestions that it was too white. Malema was asked about the team during an interview with British Sky News on Tuesday. The Sky News interviewer said: "It did strike me that there weren't many black faces in the group for a black majority country." Malema said the team members were chosen because they were qualified. "We think that we're a non-racial country and all South Africans who have qualified to make Team SA should carry the flag proudly, and we support them," he said. "It's not [any] more about the issue of colour." Malema said there was still a problem with poor communities not having access to sport. Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula was working to resolve this. "It's ...

Johannesburg - Former ANCYL president Julius Malema says his expulsion from the ANC will be automatically overturned when President Jacob Zuma is voted out of office in December, it was reported on Tuesday. Malema, who was being interviewed on the BBC's World Service in London on Monday evening, said his expulsion was being contested by structures of the African National Congress, Independent Online reported. He said the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung in December would be used to overturn it. "When we remove President [Jacob] Zuma in December, it will be an automatic overturning of that decision," he was quoted as saying. Malema said people were still committed to him even though he had been expelled by the ANC, because he was "leading a revolution in South Africa for economic emancipation". This was "close to the hearts of the people" of both South Africa and Africa, according to the report. He said his relationship with ANC veteran Winn...

The journey of life Chasing for glory and a good life I will no longer live the life i lived when l was young The time when parents were running the show It was life without many   thoughts, it was life with more luxuries. I now live my own life far from home Working for my own good My own produce my own pride Ohm what new era in my life Living it in the foreign lands I started new things Reminiscences of the past life still catches up with me Who was l as a young person? Now old age is catching up moving on with life New things comes up Responsibilities, my own family All the requirements, their needs come from me l have to work hard and make ends meet By the glory of God all things comes up right l look forward to the future For life goes own, day after day till eternity Challenges are there to make me grow For they say if you face them, rise and shine above them You have matured a new lesson will recorded in your mind. Thank you ...

Zuma on the airwaves: The sound of nothing, the meaning of silence When the presidency acceded to an interview with Talk Radio 702, surely there was some strategic thinking about what President Jacob Zuma would be communicating. It was to be an hour-long live interview broadcast simultaneously on 702 and its sister station, 567 Cape Talk. Zuma doesn’t do media interviews very often, particularly live broadcasts, and therefore there would have had to be some tactical planning.  There would be consideration given to the timing of the interview and the burning issues on the national agenda. As this was an independent radio station and the interviewer, Redi Tlhabi, was bound to focus on the running controversies, the president would have to be prepped with coherent responses and advised on how to handle the hot potatoes. He would also need to have some positive messaging on tap to counter the current negative publicity. Besides, it’s five months till he is up for re-election; s...

Drogba drogba drogba He has done it for Chelsea again He has done it for his fellow team mates He has done for his coaches He has done it for his sponsor Mr Abramovich The pride of Africa A hungry Lion, always dreaming glory A winner who is always dreaming of wining When Bayern Munich outwitted Real Madread in Madread And the venue for the final   being in   Munich Many thought the trophy will stay will in Germany, Munich Little did they know that the real fate was awaiting On the judgement day. The Chelsea will lift the trophy, for the first time in history. Glory Glory Glory Chelsea, Glory De Matteo. The underdogs   have imaged the victors. Praise be to God for the day has marked a new down A new beginning, new UEFA Champions being crowned. Watching the game, When l saw the clock ticking the one hour mark With the two teams reaching a stalemate. I told myself the new Champs are going crowned For the first time. The fir...

I love you with all my heart Wishes are crippling my mind My soul wants the best for you For you bring light into my life You bring happiness Your presents always give me comfort During tough times and times of joy. I have adopted myself to you And God has always filled my cup with water. Enhancing a flourishing way of life Whose graph is always at the pinnacle? The top most, we cherished. Time and time has passed, The dry North Westerly winds has blown through With its inland temperatures, dry without moisture. Engulfing the whole surrounding Leaving my cup dry, I felt like am in a desert. Totally dry with nowhere to seek refuge. The wind has gone with all l had Leaving me in the darkness, no love, no happiness Nor the comfort I use to enjoy. Deep inside my heart l am burning, l pray to God For they say his will shall prevail and in him my cup will be filled again. Hello my love, hello my darling hello hello hello……………….. I wish if the...

US resumes some Bahrain arms sales for 'external defence' The US says the equipment it is supplying will not be used against protesters Continue reading the main story Bahrain Protests Meeting Bahrain's hunger striker Bahrain police 'still torturing' Profile: Abdulhadi al-Khawaja Grand Prix back on track? The United States is resuming sales of some weapons to Bahrain, but says it will not supply the Gulf state with any crowd control equipment. The US State Department says the shipment will help Bahrain "maintain its external defence capabilities." Arms sales were frozen last year after the Bahraini government suppressed pro-democracy demonstrations. Amnesty International says 60 people have been killed since the protests began in February 2011. It is thought a frigate and other coast guard vessels will be supplied, along with upgraded engines for F-16 fighters. The State Department says an order for Humvee all-terrain vehicles...

TO MY LOVER TRUST JUST DOESN’T COME WITHOUT EVENTS. TALKING IS EASY BUT TRUST IS HARD. HONESTY IS THE WAY FORWARD. BE HONEST TO YOURSELF BE HONEST TO YOUR PARTNER. FOR LOVE IS A BLESSING FROM GOD NOT ALL PEOPLE FINDS LOVE. IF ONE PESERVIRE IN HONEST IT GIVES BIRTH TO TREUST AND LIGHT OF LOVE GROWS. AS IT GROWS, IT BRINGS LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS JUST LIKE THE SUN, THAT SHINES ON EARTH. TO LIGHT LIGHT TO GOD’S CREATION. SUNSHINE IS YOUR NAME. SO SHINE ABOVE ALL OADS AND BE YOURSELF, AS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU LIFE. AS   I SPEAK THESE WORDS, I HOPE THEY ARE OF GOOD WISDOM. FOR GOD HAS GIVEN ME THIS TIME, TO SIT AND WRITE THE POEM FOR YOU MY LOVER I GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE. IN HIM I TRUST.

To be with you To make you my close friend To make belong to each other To always end our days in each other’s hands   It’s all because of the comfort, the trust,   the love the relaxation To mention just a few It doesn’t mean , l want to have someone to make love to, It doesn’t mean l just want someone to give me babies It doesn’t mean l just want someone to call my wife It doesn’t mean l just want some to be seen by people   moving around with. To be with you means l will redeemed No matter how hard the day might be   When l am with you it has change its shape You are the redeemer of my soul, that brings me close to Christ For to receive Christ you need to be happy you have to create a worm environment I may be affected by work , people at work can do all sorts of harm That can make me a sad person, unhappy and angry at times All will change when l come close to you Engulfed   in the comfort of your love   Enhancing a feeling of belonging Giving birth to ...

The Americans and the Europeans are on a mission iin this world, they kill leaders who they don like and put theirs. They also aim for countries which are rich in resources like oil and diamonds. These are the most wanted on their lists. They kill us remove our leaders take the resources and build their reserves. The put Saddam Hussain and deposed him they helped Gaddafi and they now they have killed him using their NATO. Their mission is getting to where they want. Target is Iran now America is going to fight a war with Iran one day. Israel is going to be used in the middle east. 

EU member states have agreed in principle to ban imports of Iranian crude oil to put pressure on the country over its nuclear programme. The move is expected to be announced formally at an EU foreign ministers' meeting at the end of January. The US, which recently imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, welcomed the news. Iran has dismissed the threat of new sanctions and denies Western claims that it is trying to develop a nuclear weapons programme. Iran has also denied that a record low of its currency this week was linked to punitive US measures against its banks. Oil prices on international markets rose on news of the EU agreement. "We have an [EU] foreign ministers' meeting on January 30, and on this occasion I hope we will be able to take the decision on the embargo of oil and petrol from Iran", said French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe. "We have to reassure some of our European partners who purchase Iranian oil. We have to provide them with alternative solut...