A great South African playwright

Athol Fugard, who has died aged 92, was widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s greatest playwrights. The son of an Afrikaner mother, he was best known for his politically charged plays challenging the racist system of apartheid. Paying tribute to Fugard, South Africa’s Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie hailed him as “a fearless … Read more

US orders non-emergency staff to leave

The United States has ordered all its non-emergency staff in South Sudan to leave, amid rising tensions in the country. Fighting in recent days has threatened an already fragile peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. The two leaders signed a peace agreement in 2018 to end a five-year civil war that … Read more

Conservatives call for salary hike on work visas

The Conservatives say they will push for salary thresholds for all work visas to be raised to £38,700, by tabling changes to the government’s immigration bill currently going through Parliament. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the party wants to “bring to an end the era of mass migration”. It also is proposing changes to … Read more

Hundreds of flights cancelled as strikes hit airports

Getty Images Many passengers had already checked in their luggage and were having problems getting it returned Hundreds of flights have been cancelled across Germany as airport workers stage a nationwide strike over pay, posing a major disruption for air travellers. The industrial action, led by the trade union Verdi, began unexpectedly on Sunday at … Read more