Soccer-mad Gaddafi sees an opening*** For years he has been left out in the cold, the leader of a pariah state shunned by the international community. But now Muammar Gaddafi seems intent on speeding up his rehabilitation, not only through the slow diplomatic channels but also via soccer. After buying a share in the Italian giant, Juventus, earlier this year the Libyan leader is about to take over the financially struggling Greek first division team, PAOK Salonika.
Libyan officials say Colonel Gaddafi's love of soccer - his son Al-Saadi is an international who once dreamt of playing for Manchester United - is the main reason for ploughing money into the game. But they admit a desire to attract good publicity, which might help Libya win back its reputation, is also important. A Libyan official said on Thursday: "Libya wants to play her part in the international arena and show that she's not like people think about terrorism and all that."***
Ripped to shreds - Zimbabwe's judicial system in tatters after years of government assaults***"Any judge who has been brave enough to take positions against government institutions has been harassed and intimidated into resigning," said Ashwin Trikamjee, a member of the International Bar Association's human rights institute. Now, on the rare occasions now when the courts rule against the government, it is usually in cases too obvious to have been decided any other way, many local lawyers said. The government has ignored those rulings anyway.***