Facing stirrings of Republican revolt over Iraq and domestic policy disappointment, United States President George Bush can at least point to the Supreme Court for an enduring legacy. The US’s ultimate constitutional arbiter has tilted rightwards under Bush — a shift that could endure for decades.
Disgraced Israeli President Moshe Katsav on Friday submitted his resignation, one day after he signed a controversial plea bargain that will see him convicted of sexual offences, an adviser said. Katsav temporarily suspended himself from duty in January in the wake of the investigation.
Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, is the world’s fastest growing major city, drawing 300 000 to 400 000 mostly poor migrants annually, a World Bank study said. These migrants provide critical manpower for the city’s industries and services, but also put pressure on the city’s infrastructure, public services and habitable land, said the report.
President Robert Mugabe’s new push to get tough on the economy may bring short-term political benefits but is likely to leave Zimbabwe in even worse straits as its economic infrastructure collapses. Mugabe this week warned that he was ready to nationalise firms accused of ”dirty tricks” against his rule.
South African students of dance got a boost this week when they collaborated with one of Europe’s great dance companies, writes Matthew Krouse.
An excitement among audiences about local themes is giving impetus to a vital writing culture, writes Gabeba Baderoon.
DVD ROUNDUP: Martin Scorsese’s <i>The Departed</i> leads the pack of recent DVD releases, writes Shaun de Waal.
To watch Roger Federer play tennis is to understand why the word ”stroke” became the game’s operative verb. This week’s undemanding opening to his attempt to win a fifth consecutive men’s singles title at Wimbledon offered the opportunity to admire his ability to caress the ball at all angles and velocities with a wonderful delicacy.
On a chilly October evening in 2003, Rotherham United arrived at Highbury for a third-round Carling Cup tie relieved that Patrick Vieira, Arsenal’s formidable captain, was unable to play because of injury. In the Frenchman’s place Arsene Wenger had selected a midfielder from Catalonia. Francesc ”Cesc” Fabregas had arrived from Barcelona just four weeks earlier.
If appearances counted for anything, then Floyd Landis would be arriving in London for the start of the Tour de France next week as the pre-emptive favourite to defend his stunning victory of last July, and not as a pariah. Never has a man looked so innocent, so steady of gaze and sweet of disposition.