Far from civilisation in the endless tundra of the far north, an army of workers is toiling to fuel President Vladimir Putin’s vision of a new Russia. In summer a swarm of mosquitoes and gnats rises from the festering swamps, crawling down collars and up trouser legs. In winter the temperature plummets to -60°C.
For nearly two weeks Israel has been waging a war of terror and aggression against Lebanon. Its stated justification is the capture by the Islamic Resistance (Hizbullah) of two Israeli soldiers with the aim of exchanging them for Lebanese prisoners. The war has already resulted in the killing of about 400 and wounding of more than 1 000 Lebanese.
About an hour before President Robert Mugabe addressed the sixth session of Parliament on Tuesday morning his Deputy Information Minister, Bright Matonga, was already in police cells facing corruption charges. Around noon Mugabe spoke about corruption. ”Another regrettable development is the incidence of cases of corruption,” he told both lower and upper house members in Parliament.”
South African President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday expressed his country’s outrage at and condemnation of the bombings of the Lebanese town of Qana by Israel. Several other world leaders also condemned the Israeli attack, but the United States and Britain again refrained from joining calls for an immediate ceasefire.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held its first multiparty election in more than four decades on Sunday, a colossal democratic exercise many hope will secure an end to years of fighting and corrupt rule that have devastated this gigantic, mineral-rich nation in the heart of Africa.
Michael Schumacher could not hide his surprise at Ferrari’s dominance after he won the German Grand Prix for the fourth time at Hockenheim on Sunday. The seven-times world champion German led home his Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa for his third win in a row.
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Jacob Zuma on Sunday spoke out against what he described as infighting within the ruling African National Congress. ”Fighting for positions is wrong and should not be influenced by sources within the media,” he told the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) anniversary rally in Pietermaritzburg.
Foreigners with scarce skills will in future find it easier to immigrate to South Africa, President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday after a three-day Cabinet lekgotla (meeting). The president also addressed crime, the 2010 Soccer World Cup, transformation in the judiciary and the backlog in environmental impact assessments.
Seam-bowler Dilhara Fernando and Muttiah Muralitharan took two wickets a piece on Sunday to boost Sri Lanka’s chances of a win in the first cricket Test against South Africa. Resuming day four at 43 without loss in its second innings, South Africa progressed to 311 for four wickets at stumps on the fourth day.
Somalia’s prime minister survived a no-confidence vote on Sunday, just days after a group of lawmakers resigned in disgust and said his weak administration has failed to bring peace to this chaotic African country. "I respect those who voted against me and I respect those who voted for me," Gedi said after the vote.