The searchers drove as far as they could into the swamp and then set out on foot, crawling over soggy earth until they found signs of so many lost lives. A white tennis shoe. A black purse of braided leather. A length of orange and blue cloth that a woman might have worn as a skirt.
The election of right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy as the new president of France has raised fears in Africa because of his tough line on immigration. But some hope for a paradigm shift in ties with France’s former colonies removed from the so-called ”Francafrique” network of past French leaders.
Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday flew off for a three-day retreat in Malta to prepare for his French presidential takeover next week, while unions warned that any plans to force through sweeping reforms would face opposition. The right-wing former interior minister was handed a clear mandate for his promised ”economic revolution”.
On a morning that should by rights have been frozen in time as a moment of pure pageantry, with military marching bands, pipers trucked out in tricorn hats and powdered wigs, and visiting royalty, one can count on United States President George Bush.
Nigeria’s Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), said late on Monday it will resume attacks on oil pipelines in the south of the country. Mend, which security sources describe as the best-equipped, and most media-savvy militant group in the country, has in the past tended to make good on such threats.
The country’s new electronic national traffic information system (eNaTIS) would be up and running by Wednesday, officials said. National transport spokesperson Collen Msibi said the department would be running tests on the system on Tuesday to ensure it was viable for public use.
Charlton were relegated from the Premier League after losing 2-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday. They follow already-relegated Watford through the trap door to the second division, leaving West Ham United, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United to scrap it out to avoid joining them.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) will be picketing outside the Constitutional Court on Tuesday in the hope it rules that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has the final say in labour disputes and not the courts.
Deflated and leg-weary, Chelsea host Premier League champions Manchester United on Wednesday in a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final on May 19. Chelsea’s hopes of securing a third successive league title ended at the weekend, their pursuit of Alex Ferguson’s side brought to a halt by London rivals Arsenal.
Canada’s Thomson Corporation is in talks to buy Reuters Group for about £8,8-billion (,6-billion) to create the world’s biggest news and financial data company. Under the terms of the proposed deal Reuters investors would get 352,5 pence in cash and 0,16 Thomson stock for each share, worth 697 pence a share.