Israeli government ministers have been fitted for body armour after death threats from rightwingers who oppose the planned withdrawal from settlements in Gaza and the northern West Bank. Ministers and important political figures are already protected by bodyguards at all times.
The ruling African National Congress’s policy-making conference has agreed that a further "look" at the labour market in South Africa is necessary, says President Thabo Mbeki. The president spoke on his labour-market reform in an interview on South African Broadcasting Corporation television, broadcast on Sunday night.
Wage talks between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and world number one platinum miner Anglo Platinum have deadlocked and the NUM has issued the group with a letter of dispute, NUM Deputy general secretary Archie Palane said on Monday.
Australian cricket star Shane Warne’s wife confirmed she is separating from her husband after intense media speculation that the blond spinner was involved in another sex scandal. The record-breaking 35-year-old bowler had begged his wife to take him back after they split over his repeated extramarital affairs.
Fernando Alonso wanted to savour the moment. The Renault driver had time to slow down in front of the stands filled with blue-and-yellow Renault supporters and hold up five fingers — indicating his number of victories this season. Alonso has now won five of the season’s 10 races and has six career wins.
There’s no better way to assess a vehicle’s qualities — its roadholding, fuel consumption, dynamic performance and comfort — than a long journey. And when Citroën delivered a new C4 Hdi to the Mail & Guardian, a quick 1 200km round trip to St Lucia did exactly this.
The decision of who should succeed President Thabo Mbeki as leader of the African National Congress in 2007 depends on the ”sense of comfort” among party members closer to the time, he told the South African Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday night.
United States President George Bush sounds a warning on Monday to those hoping for a significant deal on Africa and climate change at Wednesday’s G8 summit, making clear that when he arrives at Gleneagles he will dedicate his efforts to putting the US’s interests first.
The French build small cars that seem to expand into big ‘uns once you’re inside them, get around corners without wallowing, and don’t guzzle gas. Renault’s new Modus is just such an offering. The Modus is the first of a Renault range that will include the new Clio and the next-generation Twingo minicar.
The West is not, out of altruism, going to reverse the system of trade that impoverishes Africa. It is Africa that must fight politically to force the change. Why hasn’t it been done before now? The answer is that African governments have, in the past, been short-sighted and self-centred to a degree that borders on stupidity.