Israeli/Palestine exports: South Africa states its case
South Africa’s ambassador to Israel, Ismail Coovadia, is set to face the wrath of the Israeli government this week after the department of trade and industry announced that certain goods originating from Israel would have to be re-labelled to indicate they actually came from Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Read MoreSaudi Arabia and Bahrain – Towards an (un)holy matrimony
This week, leaders of the Persian Gulf gathered in Riyadh to discuss a Saudi-led initiative to create a union of gulf states, rumoured to be modelled on the European Union. Onlookers expected the announcement of an immediate union between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Instead, the meeting concluded with the Saudis conceding to the other members’ pleas for more time.
Read MoreIndia & South Africa. It’s not personal, it’s business
The Indian president Patil arrived in South Africa on Tuesday amid a growing controversy over her frequent travels. She defended her hefty bills by pointing out that many of her trips resulted from invitations, as was the case with South Africa. But our president wasn’t out to impress her as much as the sizeable business delegation she lugged along.
Read MoreEn garde! Saudi Arabia and Egypt cross scimitars
Despite the mutually beneficial relationship the two countries have, there is much tension between them. This is because Egypt is changing and Saudi Arabia isn’t. In fact, it’s being the usual bully on the block in terms of human rights, labour relations and elitist arrogance.
Read MoreUS and Indian pressure turns Pakistani terror suspect into TV pin-up boy
The US this week increased political tensions between Pakistan and India by announcing a $10-million reward for information leading to the capture of Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistani national alleged to be the leader who orchestrated the 2008 Mumbai attacks. So far, however, the bounty has only succeeded in exacerbating anti-American sentiment in Pakistan and propelling Saeed to TV stardom.
Read MoreAnalysis: Scrutinising South Africa’s inclusion in Brics
Daily Maverick, 3 April 2012- As the fourth annual Brics summit convened in Delhi last week, heated debate raged through the media about our inclusion in the exclusive Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) club of emerging economies. Can South Africa really assist Brics achieve anything as a group? Or are we punching way above our weight? In the by now well known Goldman Sachs report from 2003, Brazil, Russia, India and China (Bric) were identified as the global economic powers of the future. Last year South Africa joined the club, forcing a name change to the elite club....
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