Britain announced on Monday the expulsion of four Russian diplomats to protest against Moscow’s refusal to extradite a suspect over the murder of ex-agent Alexander Litvinenko, the first such step in over a decade. The decision marks a major escalation in the row triggered by Litvinenko’s radioactive poisoning last November.
Progress was made in talks on Monday to avert a strike at oil refineries and fuel producers, trade union Solidarity said. Spokesperson Marius Croucamp said the unions met employers, who made an official offer of a 7,5% wage increase. Negotiators indicated they would increase the offer to 8% provided the employer agreed.
Matric pupils at about 50 schools in the Western Cape are yet to write their mid-year exams because of the recent teachers’ strike, provincial education minister Cameron Dugmore said on Monday. ”Although various schools have been affected differently by the recent public-service strike, I am most concerned about matric learners,” he said.
A strong earthquake measuring 6,8 on the Richter scale struck in the Sea of Japan off Kyoto, western Japan, the meteorological agency said on Monday — hours after a separate quake that killed at least seven people and injured nearly 700 others. The first, deadly 6,8-magnitude earthquake also ignited a fire at a nuclear power plant.
Five-time Major winner Seve Ballesteros announced his retirement from golf on Monday, ending one of the most glittering careers in the modern game. The Spaniard, who won the British Open three times and the United States Masters twice, told a news conference at Carnoustie: ”This has been the most difficult decision of my life.”
South African and Zimbabwean trade unions on Monday called on the Zimbabwean government to admit to the crisis in Zimbabwe. They urged the Zimbabwean government to call off its ”short-term populist actions” and actively cooperate with the Southern African Development Community process.
Soccer’s ruling body, Fifa, is preparing to send out a powerful message against racism this week through a string of events to mark the 89th birthday of South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon and former president Nelson Mandela. A star-studded line-up of football greats will tog out for a match in Cape Town on Mandela’s birthday.
The University of Edinburgh confirmed on Monday that it had withdrawn an honorary doctorate awarded to Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe in 1984 because of concern over his human rights record. The decision was the first time the British institution has taken such a step since it was founded in 1583.
Africa needs a ”green revolution” to double agricultural output and end chronic food insecurity in the world’s poorest continent, former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan said on Monday. The former top diplomat is the chairperson of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, set up last year with a -million grant.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Monday once again came out in favour of a basic income grant. ”I hope our government can rethink the need for a basic income grant,” said Tutu, addressing the South African Council of Churches triennial conference in Johannesburg.