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19 July (TBA) Zimbabwe to export diamonds
The Kimberley Process, the body overseeing the trade in "blood diamonds," has agreed that Zimbabwe can resume limited exports from new diamond fields in the east of the country.
Under the terms of the deal, Zimbabwe will be able to sell some stockpiles and may be able to resume full exports after a review of conditions at the Marange diamond fields in September.
The Kimberley Process suspended the diamond exports in November in response to allegations of atrocities committed by security forces at Marange.
There have been weeks of deadlock over the negotiations and the deal in Russia came only after Farai Maguwu, a Zimbabwean human rights activist, was released on bail earlier last week.
Maguwu is accused of providing false information about the diamond trade and was arrested after meeting a representative of the Kimberley Process, Abbey Chikane, on 3 June.
His continued detention scuppered attempts to reach a deal on Zimbabwe's diamond exports at a Kimberly Process meeting in Israel last month.
Campaigners said a crisis had been averted by a last-minute deal.
"The ball is now in Zimbabwe's court to make good on its promises and act to end one of the most egregious cases of diamond-related violence for many years," Annie Dunnebacke of Global Witness said in a statement.
"We fervently hope that the governments in the Kimberley Process will, for their part, hold Zimbabwe to its commitments in order to begin to restore the battered integrity of the scheme."
Zimbabwe Mines Minister Obert Mpofu said the country was "ready and willing" to work with the Kimberly Process.
The Zimbabwean army took over the Marange mines in 2008 and has since been accused of committing widespread abuses there - killing some 200 miners and forcing others to work in the mines.
Zimbabwe's army has denied the allegations.
Analysts say the diamonds from the Marange field could see Zimbabwe become one of the world's top six exporters and generate $1.7bn (£1.1bn) a year.
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 19 July (TBA) Mandela celebrates 92nd birthday as xenophobic attacks return
NELSON Mandela today celebrated his 92nd birthday - a day the United Nations is calling Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of his moral leadership.
It is the first time the UN has marked a world day in honour of an individual.
Meanwhile, there has been an outbreak of attacks against foreign-owned businesses at an informal settlement in South Africa’s Kya Sands in northern Johannesburg.
Residents who spoke to the press said locals started attacking foreign owned spaza shops on Sunday night while threatening foreigners with violence. A Zimbabwean woman in the area said she was terrified.
"They took mealie meal, rice and things like that and they are still promising that they are going to fight us until we go," she said.
Reports say Police have increased their presence in the area and are encouraging immigrants not to flee their homes.
Meanwhile, police officers in Atteridgeville in Pretoria West on Sunday said residents there cannot blame their unemployment on hard working foreigners.
On Sunday the community was given a chance to raise their concerns about foreigners with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
A witness said many residents of Atteridgeville said illegal immigrants are stealing their jobs, homes, water and electricity. “They told Mthethwa they will take the law into their own hands if government does not address poverty, unemployment and crime,” the witness said.
However, Mthethwa has promised that officers will use force to stop attacks on foreigners, adding that the residents cannot blame their African neighbours for the failings of local government.
A report on a South African website iAfrica quoted a crime intelligence officer who works in Atteridgeville as agreeing with the minister who said foreigners have jobs because they work hard to earn a living.
"To be honest South Africans are not hard workers. You will never see a South African cutting hair or selling cigarettes on the streets. We have to stop this because these are our brothers," he said.
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