South Africa could greatly extend its territorial waters in an extraordinary marine-land distribution exercise under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). ”It’s the biggest single distribution of territory ever … This magnitude of territory is usually only gained by nations through the process of war,” said Ian McLachlan.
Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi said on Monday Saddam Hussein should still be considered Iraq’s legal president and the current government illegitimate as it was elected under an occupation regime. In an interview with an Italian television channel, he slammed the practice of sending in troops to get rid of heads of state.
People should not use live animals as Easter gifts, which often leads to their being mistreated, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said on Monday. Easter bunnies should not be bought or given in the form of live rabbits with dyed fur, the SPCA said.
A Vosloorus man and his fiancée have been arrested for reporting a false robbery and kidnap on Sunday, East Rand police spokesperson Andy Pieke said. The man told police that he was robbed of his car as he and his family arrived at his Vosloorus home on Saturday night.
An on-the-run baboon was killed in Alrode, Alberton, on Monday after numerous efforts to immobilise the animal failed, Ekurhuleni metro police said. A spokesperson said the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had struggled to tranquillise the 80kg animal that had been spotted in the area for weeks.
Writer Bill Cardoso, who coined the term ”gonzo” to describe the frenetic participatory journalism practised by contemporary Hunter S Thompson, has died. He was 68. Born in Boston, Cardoso began his journalism career as a sports writer for the Medford Mercury in the 1950s.
Oscar-winning American actress Maureen Stapleton, who traded early success in the theatre into a highly successful film career in movies such as Reds and Cocoon, has died. She was 80. Born to an Irish Catholic family, Stapleton began acting in theatre after finishing high school.
Prince Charles stirred a small controversy in Egypt even before his scheduled arrival in the country on Monday, as some Islamic scholars objected to plans to award him an honorary doctorate. Al-Azhar University has decided to give Prince Charles the award in appreciation of his interest in Islam and his promotion of greater understanding of Islam in the West.
Government departments, under pressure to deliver economic growth, have launched a broadside against environmental legislation.
South African athlete Raynard Tissink swam, cycled and ran into second place at Sunday’s 2006 Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa competition, held in Nelson Mandela Bay. Belgium’s Gerardus Schellens took top honours in the triathlon that comprised a 3,8km swim across the bay, 180km of cycling and a 42,2km full marathon.