Official opposition Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon was being a "party pooper" by selling South Africa short through his negative comments about the country’s ability to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, says opposition Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille.
Pride in Zambia’s surging currency is giving way to concern as farmers, manufacturers, tourism officials and aid groups start to feel the sharp edge of the strong kwacha. The Zambian currency gained 30% against the dollar in just a few weeks last November, the result of high international copper prices and rising foreign investment.
European aircraft maker Airbus announced a sharp fall in its orders on Monday, a setback for the company in its battle with Chicago-based Boeing and a sign that the United States group is in the ascendancy. Airbus said it had booked 117 firm orders for passenger jets in the first half of 2006, fewer than half the number in the same period of 2005 and far behind Boeing.
Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev, the most-wanted man in Russia, who claimed responsibility for the Beslan school hostage massacre and was blamed for many other attacks, has been killed, Russian news agencies said on Monday, quoting the FSB security service. Basayev was killed in an overnight operation by Russian special forces.
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France captain Zinedine Zidane, sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi late in Sunday’s World Cup final loss to Italy, won the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player. The results were released on Monday morning in Berlin by Fifa.
Little seems to frighten Taliban fighters in their relentlessly bold and bloody attacks on British bases across Helmand. Little, that is, except the menacing throb of an approaching Apache. The British Apache attack helicopters have blunted numerous Taliban offensives and become a key battlefield weapon, according to commanders who are quickly forgetting earlier controversies over the -million per-plane cost.
When Richard Branson swanned around with a piece of (apparently fake) leopard skin over his shoulders at the Virgin Money launch recently, he tuned into a growing trend among urban fashionistas to adorn themselves with the skins of endangered species. Branson’s representative, Tracey Meaker, insisted he was wearing fake fur.
Defence Secretary Des Browne was expected to announce details on Monday of promised reinforcements for the 3Â 300 British troops in Afghanistan whom he admits are facing an "energised" Taliban. Browne revealed last week that commanders in the restive southern province of Helmand had asked for more troops.
South African Trevor Immelman claimed his first United States PGA Tour title when he held off world number one Tiger Woods to win the Western Open on Sunday. Immelman clinched victory by sinking a 30-foot breaking putt for birdie at the last to complete a round of 67 for a total of 13-under 271, two clear of Woods and Australian Mathew Goggin.
The Somali transitional federal government has called for the powerful Islamist militia to be excluded from peace talks this week after sparking clashes in the capital that killed at least 21 people on the weekend, officials said on Monday. Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Aidid said the Supreme Islamic Council of Somalia militants had violated a truce deal.