SOUTH AFRICA

JOHANNESBURG – The African National Congress (ANC) recommits itself to free basic education and universal access to quality health care. Speaking at the launch of the ANC's education and health campaign, ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe says these two areas are critical for the overall success of the economy.

JOHANNESBURG – Botswana's President, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, boycotts a weekend summit of southern African leaders because the country does not recognise Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's re-election. Botswana's foreign ministry has stressed that Zimbabwe's government should not be represented at a political level at the 14-member Southern African Development Community.

AFRICA & WORLD

WARSAW – In the midst of the Georgia crisis, Poland agrees that it will host elements of a US global anti-missile system following an agreement by Washington to boost Poland's air defences. The move is likely to heighten tension between Russia and the West, already high over Moscow's military action in Georgia. Russia says the US system poses a threat to its security, despite US assurances to the contrary. The preliminary deal, which must be endorsed by both governments and Poland's Parliament, has been signed by deputy Polish Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer and US chief negotiator John Rood.

KHARTOUM – Sudan warns the United Nations of "serious consequences" for its staff and facilities if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir over Darfur. On July 14, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo charged Bashir with masterminding a campaign of genocide in Darfur, western Sudan, and asked the court for the warrant. The Hague-based court has yet to issue a decision. International experts and UN officials estimate at least 200 000 people have died and 2,5-million have been driven from their homes in Darfur since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in 2003 accusing the central government of neglect.

LUSAKA – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa dies in a French hospital after suffering a stroke in July. Vice President Rupiah Banda is expected to take over as acting president according to Zambia's constitution and elections will be called. The Zambian leader, 59, was a favourite with Western donors for tackling corruption in the southern African country and he had been one of the strongest critics in the region of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.

HARARE – Zimbabwe's inflation rate rockets to over 11-million percent in June. A sharp rise in inflation in June coincided with campaigning for the June 27 run-off vote from which opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew, citing violence which he said killed over 120 Movement for Democratic Change supporters. The election dashed hopes it might rescue Zimbabweans from years of decline that have ruined what was once one of the region's most prosperous economies but now suffers 80 percent unemployment and shortages of food and fuel.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announces his resignation in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government. The former army chief and firm US ally has seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and has been isolated since his allies lost a February election. The powerful army, which has ruled for more than half the country's 61-year history, has publicly kept out of the controversy over its former leader.

BRUSSELS – The European Union aid chief wants the bloc to suspend its development aid to Mauritania and freeze the bloc's single biggest fishing deal over the political unrest in the African country. Brussels has allocated €156-million of aid for the West African country for 2008-2013 and agreed to pay an additional €75,25-million euros a year for the right to fish in Mauritania's waters over the next four years, starting on August 31, 2008.