Peace can never be taken for granted, and the first responsibility of any government is security. That is why France wishes to contribute to a political structuring of the world that averts perils. It wishes to help in the exercise of shared responsibility within the framework of strong, legitimate and accepted international institutions, writes Jacques Chirac, the president of France.

An unusually well-preserved 65-million-year-old dinosaur nest containing fossil eggs sold in an auction for nearly  000. Auction house Bonhams & Butterfields had estimated the raptoid nest would go for between  000 and  000, auction officials said.

Say hello to the burkini — a swimming costume designed for Muslim women. It is a semi-fitting two-piece swimsuit that connects to an “ahiida hijood” and it will be worn by Australian Muslim lifesavers from January. Sydney designer Aheda Zanetti came up with the design after Surf Life Saving Australia began a drive to recruit more Islamic lifeguards.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stormed to a re-election victory in Sunday’s vote, handing him an ample mandate to broaden his promised socialist revolution and challenge Washington’s influence in Latin America. Chávez told cheering supporters at his presidential palace late Sunday his landslide was a blow to United States President George Bush’s administration.

Janet Padilla’s first inkling that something might be wrong came when she phoned her husband at lunchtime. His cellphone was switched off. On January 14 2004, Luis had, as usual, left for work at 6am, and when he did not answer the first call Janet made, after taking the children to school, she assumed he was busy. Two weeks later she would learn the truth.

Johannesburg metro police on Sunday arrested five motorists for speeding, including a Lamborghini driver doing 251kph in Midrand. Along with the luxury car owner, metro police arrested the drivers of a Peugot and a Porsche driving in excess of 180kph on the N14 in Midrand, said Inspector Edna Mamonyane.