A United States space projectile early on Monday collided head-on with a comet hurtling through the solar system as part of an experiment to study its core. ”That’s awesome! That’s awesome!” shouted flight control officials after the impact was confirmed. ”We hit just exactly where we wanted to.”
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa at the weekend announced that the Bombela Consortium has been appointed as the preferred bidder for the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link. Shilowa said it is "the biggest public-private-partnership project yet tackled in the country and indeed in Africa".
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.
Zimbabwe’s demolition of illegal homes and backyard shacks is likely to be touched on at this week’s meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland, of the leaders of the world’s richest countries, as they discuss a multibillion-dollar plan to wipe out poverty and debt in Africa.
Mexican boxer Martin Sanchez has died from serious head injuries after being knocked out by Russian Rustam Nugaev during a fight on Friday at a Las Vegas casino. Doctors said Sanchez underwent surgery to remove a subdural hematoma and to reduce massive swelling of the brain.
Government soldiers looted homes, beat people and fired gunshots into the air on Sunday in the western Democratic Republic of Congo, a United Nations spokesperson said. The looting spree in Mbandaka was sparked after a soldier was found slain and his body mutilated early on Sunday morning, said UN spokesperson Kemal Saiki.
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.