Judge on run from Mugabe
Harare: A High Court judge awaiting sentencing for corruption in Zimbabwe has escaped to South Africa in a freight lorry, the Financial Gazette reported. It said that Judge Benjamin Paradza was believed to have then travelled on to Britain to seek asylum. Mr Paradza has a reputation for ruling against the Government. Charges were brought against him soon after he ordered the release of a jailed opposition politician in 2003. (AP)
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Colonial law to go
Paris: President Chirac has asked for a law recognising the “positive role” of colonialism to be ditched. He is using a rare procedure to remove the controversial article, in a Bill passed last year, giving compensation to repatriated colonials. (AFP)
Pricey spy rock
Moscow: A spokesman for Russia’s FSB spy agency said that a fake rock allegedly used by British agents to contact their handlers had cost millions to develop. “It’s a space-level technology,” he said. “This rock can be tossed from the ninth floor.” (AP)
Denmark dispute
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Copenhagen: Denmark faces rising political and economic pressure from Muslim nations angered by publication last year of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Copenhagen and Danish firms face a boycott. (AFP)
Smashing idea
The Hague: Mark van der Horst, the councillor responsible for Amsterdam’s transport, said that he wants to recruit some of the city’s vandals to attempt to wreck prototype underground trains in tests. “They must be idiot-proof,” he said. (AFP)