A South African newspaper has removed from its website an image of a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.
The Spear has been taken down "in the spirit of peacemaking... and from fear too," editor Ferial Haffajee has written in a City Press editorial.
The ruling African National Congress called for a boycott of the paper and last week went to court demanding the painting be removed from public view.
Protesters vandalised the painting.
'Tinderbox'The Spear painting - by Brett Murray, an artist known for his political and provocative work - has sparked a storm in South Africa.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in protest saying President Zuma's right to dignity has been violated, while supporters say this is a question of freedom of expression - both of which are protected in South Africa's constitution.
“Start Quote
End Quote Ferial Haffajee City Press editorThat we are now a symbol of a nation's anger and rage is never the role of media in society”
A court case brought by the ANC against the City Press website and the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, which exhibited the work, has been postponed indefinitely.
Nevertheless, Ms Haffajee decided to take down the image because the "atmosphere is like a tinderbox".
A City Press reporter has been prevented from covering a trade union meeting, copies of City Press set on fire and the editor and others subjected to threats, Ms Haffajee says.
"Out of care and as an olive branch to play a small role in helping turn around a tough moment, I have decided to take down the image," she said.
"That we are now a symbol of a nation's anger and rage is never the role of media in society," she said.
"For any editor to respond to a threat to take down an article of journalism without putting up a fight is an unprincipled thing to do, so we've fought as much as we could."
"It doesn't serve City Press or South Africa to dig in our heels and put our fingers in our ears," she said, adding that "the debate must not end here and we should all turn this into a learning moment, in the interest of all our freedoms."
The ruling party said the painting was "rude, crude and disrespectful" towards President Zuma and wants all images of the painting online and elsewhere taken down.
The gallery has said it will not remove The Spear, a $14,000 (£9,000) acrylic painting that had already been sold before protesters defaced it, daubing it in red and black paint.
The BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg says the ANC has called on its supporters to march to the gallery on Tuesday.
In an affidavit served on the City Press newspaper paper, Mr Zuma said he was shocked by the work.
"The portrait depicts me in a manner that suggests I am a philanderer, a womaniser and one with no respect," he said.
President Zuma, who has four wives, has sued local media companies 11 times for defamation.
Some cases have been settled, others dropped, but most are outstanding.
The best-known case is a 2008 suit against one of the country's most high-profile artists, Zapiro, after he depicted Mr Zuma about to rape a female figure representing justice - this is due to be heard in October.
Mr Zuma was cleared of raping a family friend in 2006.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
TV Antique expert to guest at Seend fete - This is Wiltshire
TV Antique expert to guest at Seend fete
2:00pm Monday 28th May 2012 in Latest News
TV presenter Paul Martin, a resident of Seend, will be guest of honour at this year’s village fete.
Mr Martin, who presents BBC’s Flog It antiques programme, has been the special guest at the fete on previous occasions.
The fete is on Saturday, August 11, in the Lye Field and organisers are encouraging people to enter the grand parade either as walkers in fancy dress, on floats or in vintage cars.
Fete chairman Fiona Johnson said: "We’re hoping to make this the best parade ever.
"The parade is open to anyone who would like to take part. There will be an opportunity to collect money for your charity in the arena after the parade."
There will be numerous stalls at the fete plus model aircraft displays, train rides, a beer tent, tea tent and barbecue.
In the main arena the entertainment will comprise the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics, The Curious Company, a local theatre group, an Aikido demonstration, dancing dogs, a magic show by Mr Snuffy the Bear, Punch and Judy and music from Shrewton Brass Band Quintet.
For more information, visit seendfete.co.uk or call Fiona Johnson on 01380 828401.
Source: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk
¥15 million in swords stolen from Osaka antique shop - Japan Times
OSAKA — A dozen antique swords worth ¥15 million were stolen from an antique shop in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, early Monday, police said, adding they are looking for two intruders.
According to police, a woman who was delivering newspapers called police at around 3:10 a.m., claiming she saw two men with masks exit the antique shop and leave in a car parked out front.
The door of the shop had been broken, but the store didn't have any security cameras installed. In addition to the 12 swords, a safe holding about ¥50,000 was robbed, police said.
The stolen swords included a 16th century blade named Bizen Osafune Kiyomitsu, which is worth about ¥3 million.
"They took the ones that were more expensive than the others, so the culprits may have knowledge of their value. But if they sell them, it will be obvious (they were stolen). I don't understand what they want to do with them," the 62-year-old shop owner said.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
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