The United Nations peacekeeping arm launched a training programme this week for senior officials of the African Union (AU), aimed at improving the planning, deployment and management of its peacekeeping support missions.

The Botswana government has denied that the new administration of President Ian Khama is willing to introduce military rule to enforce discipline and arrest moral decay in the country.

The Broadhurst Magistrates Court, postponing further hearing to 20 October, admitted three prosecution witnesses to give evidence in the case in which former Miss Botswana, Alimah Anderson, faces fraud charges.

The days when non-citizens dominatedand monopolised government auction of vehicles are over.

Mmotseng Ketshabile, popularly known as Bullet, is a man in demand. The producer whose magic touch has seen groups like Mokorwana, Shumba Ratshega and Tselakgopo rise from obscurity to stardom, is making waves in the big music industry down south.

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV (BONELA) has learnt with shock about the withdrawal of the appeal against deportation by Mthandazo Sibanda at the Village Magistrates Court.

Over the past two days, this newspaper carried reports to the effect that Parliamentary Village, where our legislators lodge and the National Assembly are falling apart.

M-Net's Face of Africa has finally announced the young woman who will represent Botswana in M-Net's popular Model search competition, Face of Africa.

Local Afro jazz artistes are to hold a concert at the Satchmo's Jazz Cafe on Saturday as a tribute to Zimbabwean guitarist Reuben Bee Sithole, who has died.

BSE-listed Discovery Metals has announced key appointments of groups that will assist in completing the Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the Boseto Copper Project and has received the terms of reference for the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project.

New officials at Jwaneng Comets have said their main task is to bring back the club to the Premier League next season. Comets were relegated last season and will now do battle in the First Division South.

The concerned group accuses the BMC management of 'unfulfilled promises over the exit package for security personnel'.

Standard Chartered Bank has increased its sponsorship for this year's Independence Golf tournament from 60,000 to 200,000. The bank has been associated with the event since independence in 1966.

Subject to regulatory approval, Leina Gabaraane is the new Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Botswana, Business Week has been reliably informed.

BOTSWANA'S unelected president, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, caught those who know him by surprise at the burial of the late Zambian leader, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health has confessed that it is failing to employ and retain staff, especially nurses who continue to look for work elsewhere.

The 2008-2009 Premier League season is expected to start on September 19. This, however, might only be possible if the Premier League Committee (PLC) succeeds in getting sponsorship this week.

Male circumcision is essential in preventing the spread of HIV infection.

A motion calling for the privatisation of refuse collection in Francistown failed to pass muster last week when councillors voted 12-6 to throw it out. The motion was tabled by councillor Phillip Butale.

The newly appointed Group MD of RPC Data, Vincent Seretse, says the company needs to consolidate its position in Botswana, the rest of Africa and in Asia so that it may compete head to head with other global players.