| Hospitals face three weeks of strikes
Radiographers at seven district health boards - Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Hutt Valley, Lakes (Rotorua), Tairawhiti (Gisborne) and Bay of Plenty - yesterday started the first of a series of work bans expected to stretch into early May. Overnight bans on radiographic work, including x-rays, CT and MRI scans and ultrasound, took place last night in Southland, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Whakatane and Opotiki hospitals, while Hutt Valley radiographers walk out today for four days. Yesterday, the Association of Professionals and Executive Employees, which represents about 80 per cent of radiographers at the seven DHBs, issued notice of one-hour strikes in the middle of the day in Canterbury early next month, in addition to overnight work bans and weekend strikes. Next week, medical laboratory scientists with all health boards and the Blood Service walk off the job for two days.
Arbitration: Williams keeps a watching eye
Although Spyker has begun the arbitration process, Williams - one of the leading critics in the customer cars row - has remained quiet. Today, a spokesperson for the British team confirmed that it has not yet begun its own action: "We are not involved at this time," a spokesperson told Reuters. Speaking at the launch of FW29, both Frank Williams and Patrick Head were adamant that customer cars contravene the Concorde Agreement and that any team using them in 2007 should not qualify for points (or prize money) in the Constructors' Championship. Although moves have been made behind the scenes to calm the row, Spyker, in particular, remains adamant, hence last week's admission that the arbitration process has begun. It is thought that the Dutch team is questioning the legality not only of the Toro Rosso and Super Aguri cars, but also the 2007 Red Bull and the 2006 Toro Rosso.
The P twins get squared
Call them the current rave of Nigeria's hip-hop scene; you would not be far from the truth. Sensational twins, Peter and Paul Okoye a.k.a P-Square have no doubt kept the continent's entertainment scene busy since they released the smash hit, Bizzy Body.
The song Bizzy Body and their other single Temptations are receiving massive airplay on Ugandan radio stations, nightclubs and other hangout joints. They are latest Nigerian musical export after 2-Face Idibia and his monster hit African Queen.
It is a family affair for the group, as they are managed by their eldest brother Jude Engeen Okoye. They spoke to the Daily Sun, of Nigeria and we reproduce excerpts. How did the group start?
PETER: It all began about 12 years ago. We started by dancing at parties.
Riyadh’s Arab summit: a precious opportunity
The Arab peace plan of March 2002 offers the best opportunity in recent years for Arabs and Israelis to get back on the peace track. But only if the Arab summit in Riyadh on 28-29 March 2007 goes beyond merely reaffirming the plan, and if Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah once again displays dynamic leadership. To be sure, the plan is flawed, as was the process that launched it in 2002. Its compromise formula for solving the Palestinian refugee issue still implies support for the right of return (which was reconfirmed explicitly in the Arab League's next four resolutions, lest Israel err in interpreting it). Its demand for the 1967 borders ignores United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 as well as compromises long agreed between Palestinian and Israeli leaders. .
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