Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement that will see the two countries trading energy resources, Zimbabwean radio reported on Monday. But the authorities stressed it was a ”purely commercial agreement” and there was no indication that the deal might involve the extradition of Simon Mann.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Monday would not comment on possible arrests in the case surrounding National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi. NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said he could not comment on this or anything else contained in a Mail & Guardian report on Friday.
The powerful earthquake that hit Indonesia was just the latest display of violent seismic activity on the archipelago, which stretches across one of the most unstable parts of the Earth’s surface. The country’s position on the planet’s crust means it will continue to experience such catastrophes, just as it has done for the past 50-million years or so.
Sending aid isn’t enough to help reduce poverty in Africa, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz said on Monday. Rich countries need to do more by investing in basic services like electricity and transportation, he said. These services are necessary for businesses to function and engage in trade, as well as help people in their daily lives, communicate with one another and acquire knowledge.
Ridding the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea of pirates is likely to top the agenda at a three-day conference on African maritime security starting on Monday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Two hundred delegates representing 47 countries and 13 international organisations are expected at the second Sea Power for Africa Symposium.
The French Open started on a Sunday for the first time and nearly ended quickly for Maria Sharapova. The former Wimbledon champion overcame a gimpy foot, a 5-2 deficit in the third set and three match points to beat Mashona Washington 6-2, 5-7, 7-5.
Iran on Monday spurned the prospect of European Union incentives to end its nuclear programme, saying the bloc must acknowledge its right to nuclear technology. "The main incentive for Iran is to recognise the essential right of Iran to have nuclear technology," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said when asked about the incentive plan.
United Nations and Red Cross agencies were meeting in Geneva on Monday to coordinate a mounting international relief effort for thousands of victims of Indonesia’s deadly earthquake. The death toll from the earthquake has risen to at least 5 136, the Social Affairs Ministry said on Monday.
World Cup hopefuls Germany and Japan have a chance to find out where they stand less than a fortnight before the finals when they lock horns in a friendly match at the BayArena on Tuesday. Host nation Germany crushed minnows Luxembourg 7-0 on Saturday to boost confidence but are likely to face a much stiffer test of their credentials against Asian champions Japan.
Thierry Henry thinks Franck Ribery can surprise France’s opponents at the World Cup, and urges coach Raymond Domenech to pick him. ”He carries the expectations of a nation,” Henry said on Sunday. ”It is not easy. But I think he has the talent to do it. He is our trump card.”