Every parent knows the moment the balance of dependency shifts. Nothing needs be said; both parties know instinctively that from now on it is negotiation time. It is the recognition of equality of power. Governments know it, too. Phoney equality — as represented by the P in Nepad (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) — is seen for what it is.
The African Union under the leadership of Alpha Konare, Mali’s former president, has committed itself to moving from non-interference to non-indifference. It was incredible to see African leaders calling on their Sudanese colleague, Omar el-Bashir, to account for the situation in Darfur: a far cry from the days of the Organisation of African Unity when such interference was taboo.
The Zimbabwean government this week stepped up efforts to crack down on the <i>Mail & Guardian</i>. The police served a subpoena on the security manager of Century Bank in Harare summonsing information about the newspaper’s bank account, including records of cheque transactions, since the beginning of the year.
<li><a class=’standardtextsmall’ href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/pd.asp?ao=118793">Former M&G journo under hotel arrest</a>
Either he is putting on a sensational act to camouflage a deeply sensitive and shrewd mind, or Jose Mourinho really is the most self-adoring person to set foot in the English premiership. A handful of days into his new job at Stamford Bridge, he said: “I think at the end of my contract the club will be interested in giving me a new one.”
So it looks like Arsenal are finally going to pay the price for their lack of financial clout. For too many years the North London club have kept pace – and more – with the moneybags European powers but something has to give. Last season’s unbeaten champions could be about to see the heart of their side ripped out by Real Madrid.
Sir Bobby Robson, easily the oldest boss in the Premiership, is entering his last season in charge at St James’s Park. Alan Shearer is in his final season of goal-getting after 15 years of successful plundering at Southampton, Blackburn and his beloved Newcastle. Neither is likely to blow it on his swansong.
The Postage Stamp, the eighth hole at Royal Troon where the Open Champhionship is under way, is the most famous short hole in Europe. It is the Penny Black of the album but, given any weather, it morphs seamlessly into a penny dreadful. It has lured many a great player to destruction.
It is what the French call un coup de jeune — an influx of youth — and, as well as Lance Armstrong’s effervescent form, the usual series of horrendous crashes, and heavy rain, it is what has set the opening phase of the Tour de France apart. It is many years since so many young riders made such an impression.
If a week is a long time in politics, then three weeks is an eternity, but that is all the time it’s taken to change the shape of southern hemisphere and, possibly, world rugby. The Pacific Islanders close their five-match campaign in Gosford, Australia, on Saturday against South Africa.
The bomb attack in Tel Aviv last weekend highlights the desperate need to achieve a peace settlement. It highlights, too, the futility of the wall Israel is building on Palestinian land, a wall condemned by the International Court of Justice last Friday. What action is needed to put an end to this dance of death?