Peace talks between the Ugandan government and rebels aimed at ending nearly two decades of fighting adjourned on Monday for a week to allow for consultations, but it was unclear whether there was any progress, officials said. The talks, which began on June 14 in the capital of autonomous southern Sudan, are aimed at ending 19 years of conflict in northern Uganda.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been linked with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, returned to training with Manchester United early on Monday but doubts still remain over whether he will be at Old Trafford for the start of the season. After his bust-up with Alex Ferguson, it was widely assumed the 30-year-old Dutch striker would have moved on by now.
Staff at Johannesburg International airport are to receive skills training to improve customer-service levels in preparation for the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup, South African government news agency BuaNews reported on Monday. The Airports Company South Africa has already made R3,5-billion available for infrastructure investment in preparation for South Africa’s hosting of the Cup.
Wealthy businessman Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing a bid for leadership of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress and by extension a run for the nation’s Presidency when Thabo Mbeki retires in 2009, associates said on Monday. The ANC will hold internal elections in December 2007, and whoever wins the party leadership is a shoo-in for the country’s Presidency.
Robert Hamblin has fond memories of his childhood. His male cousins accepted him as just another mate. His grandfather used to take him round the farm and joked about the bulls’ twaksakke (balls). He did not mind that the child carried the name of Adele. But then Hamblin started developing breasts and ”the boys” dumped him.
Power cuts that have plunged most parts of Zimbabwe into darkness could worsen during the next few weeks following electricity supply interruptions from the Democratic Republic of Congo from where Zesa Holdings imports 100 megawatts, the state-owned <i>Herald</i> newspaper said on Monday.
American Nicky Hayden won the United States motorcycling Grand Prix for the second straight year on Sunday, strengthening his grip on the title chase as Valentino Rossi failed to finish. Hayden, who won here last year when the MotoGP series returned to the US for the first time in a decade, started from the second row and seized the lead on the 17th lap.
More than 5Â 000 people gathered for an anti-Ethiopia protest in the Mogadishu on Monday, days after troops from neighbouring Ethiopia arrived to protect Somalia’s virtually powerless government from Islamic militants. The protesters, gathered in a stadium in northern Mogadishu, chanted anti-Ethiopian slogans and carried signs that said, ”We Must Fight Them!”
Authorities in Zimbabwe have suspended all sales of ivory in a bid to stop underhand deals, it was reported on Monday. The decision was reached after a meeting between the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the recently established Zimbabwe Ivory Manufacturers’ Association, said the state-controlled Herald newspaper.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) providing hospice and home care for HIV/Aids patients in Gauteng are struggling because of late payment by the Department of Health, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday. ”Some of these NGOs have not been paid for almost four months,” said spokesperson Jack Bloom.