Olmert resists calls to quit over bribery probe

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert faced a barrage of calls to resign on Friday after he admitted taking cash from an American businessman at the centre of a police investigation into suspected bribery. But Olmert, whose departure could disrupt peace negotiations with the Palestinians, continued with his duties.

SA workplace fatalities under scrutiny

The Department of Labour on Wednesday said the death of nine workers at Gold Fields, the world's fourth-largest gold producer, would take centre stage when South Africa and its international partners within the International Labour Organisation celebrate World Health and Safety Day at the end of this week.

Shackled Simon Mann names names

Wearing handcuffs and leg-irons in an African prison, the former SAS soldier who tried to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea in a coup d'état on Tuesday claimed the main instigator of the plot was the London-based Lebanese millionaire Ely Calil.

Don't sacrifice lives for profit, says Motsepe

No life could be "sacrificed" in the name of profits, mining magnate and businessman Patrice Motsepe told protesting workers at a ferromanganese smelter near Durban on Monday. He was speaking to workers who on Monday staged a protest at the Assmang smelter following Sunday's blast, which claimed the lives of five people.

Workers protest over Assmang blast deaths

An explosion that ripped through a ferromanganese smelter near Durban on Sunday and claimed the lives of five people sparked protests by workers as a Labour Department inquiry into workers' exposure to poisonous fumes was about to start on Monday morning.

Russian envoy: 'Now we really have a crisis'

The diplomatic stand-off with Russia entered a dangerous new phase on Wednesday as British officials denounced "a pattern of intimidation" by Russia's security services against British Council staff. The Foreign Office complained of unacceptable behaviour, after Russians working at British Council offices were called in for questioning by the FSB.

Burma defiant on 60th anniversary of independence

Military-run Burma put on a show of defiance on Friday on the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain amid global pressure for reform following the junta's bloody crackdown on dissent. Soldiers raised the national flag at precisely 4.28am local time -- the exact moment of freedom from Britain.

How do SA Cabinet members unwind?

What does President Thabo Mbeki like to do in his spare time? Ballroom dancing? Playing the piano? No, the man likes to work during leisure hours, says his spokesperson. As the ruling party's national conference in Polokwane approaches members of the South African Cabinet certainly need ways to unwind.

Brown faces MPs over illegal funding scandal

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces a grilling in Parliament on Wednesday over the funding row that has engulfed the Labour party. Despite pledging to return the donations, Brown will face calls to explain what he knew about the £600 000 that property developer David Abrahams donated through intermediaries.

Australia's new leader vows better global ties

Incoming Labour prime minister Kevin Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat, has pledged closer Australian ties with overseas allies and unity at home after ending 11 years of conservative rule under John Howard. Rudd (50) has promised to pull Australian troops out of Iraq and sign the Kyoto Protocol.

Australia's Labour claims election victory

Australia's Labour party claimed victory in national elections on Saturday, signalling an end to 11 years of conservative government led by Prime Minister John Howard. "On the numbers we are seeing tonight, Labour is going to form a government," Labour's deputy leader, Julia Gillard, told Australian television.

Embattled Australian leader casts his vote

Australian Prime Minister John Howard cast his ballot in national elections on Saturday, hoping voters would reject a younger opposition leader offering generational change and return him for a fifth straight term. "I hope we will win. I believe we will win. It is in the hands of my fellow Australians," Howard told reporters.

Comair tells labour dept they won't be bullied

Comair will not be bullied by an inefficient and ineffective government department, the company said on Sunday. It was responding to accusations by the Department of Labour that the company did not hire black people. Comair's joint CEO Erik Venter said: "These allegations are not only blatantly false but also defamatory."

France hit by transport chaos

France was plunged into travel chaos for the second time in a month on Wednesday as striking railway unions staged a show of strength against the economic reforms of President Nicolas Sarkozy. Nationwide fewer than one-quarter of trains were running normally -- and only 90 out 700 TGV fast trains.

German vice-chancellor resigns

A leading centre-left figure in the government of Angela Merkel resigned on Tuesday, depriving the German leader of one of the linchpins of her fractious grand coalition. Franz Münterfering, a Social Democrat, stepped down as labour minister and vice-chancellor, citing personal reasons.

New union confederation 'a victory for workers'

A merger of the Federation of Unions of South Africa with the National Council of Trade Unions is a significant achievement that will unite workers in the country, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said on Thursday ahead of the launch on Friday of the new South African Confederation of Trade Unions.

Steel sector flouts labour laws, says Dept of Labour

The Department of Labour said on Friday that preliminary findings of the ongoing inspections of compliance by the South African iron and steel industry painted a picture of an industry "fraught with high disregard of labour legislation countrywide".

Use of consultants cost Dept of Labour R23m

The use of consultants cost the Department of Labour over R23-million in the last financial year, the department said on Thursday. According to the department's own documentation, it spent R23 601 014,40 on nine different contracted experts, including auditors and trainers, during the last financial year.

Gruelling road ahead for Rice on Middle East peace

The battle over the agenda of a conference on Palestinian statehood offers United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice a glimpse of the gruelling process that awaits if and when the two sides enter formal negotiations. Four days of shuttle diplomacy by Rice this week were not enough to close the gaps.

Minister: Unskilled labour not getting enough help

People with skills were not assisting those who were struggling, causing skills-development regulations to be introduced, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said on Thursday. He said the Department of Labour was currently developing regulations that would make it compulsory for employers to register all vacancies.

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