Big brother Muammar jets into Moscow

MOSCOW – Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi will visit Moscow October 31 for talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on arms purchases and other deals, the business daily Vedomosti reported yesterday.

The Libyan leader last visited Russia in 1985 in the days of the Soviet Union. Ties between Tripoli and Moscow have again warmed since Vladimir Putin visited Libya last April shortly after he left the Kremlin.Topics for the visit will include possible delivery of Russian Su-30 fighter planes and advanced T-90 battle tanks, the report said, quoting an unnamed foreign ministry source and another source in the state technology agency.Russia could also sell Libya Tor-M2E air missile defence systems and spare parts for Russian-made weapons it already possesses, it said.Recent contacts between Libya and Russia have centred on Tripoli’s US$4,6 billion debt to Moscow which could be settled through a variety of business contracts, the report said.- AFP Old Mutual donates portable desks * Oshakati – More than 120 000 children in Namibia are affected by the shortage of educational resources in various schools across the country, said the Old Mutual Namibia’s CEO for operations.Sakaria Nghikembua said this on Friday at Oshakati where he donated some 1000 portable/lap desks to the Education Ministry for distribution to five needy schools in the northern regions of Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto.Nghikembua noted that the government allocates substantial resources to education from its central budget, but because of the ever-increasing educational demands government resources alone remain insufficient.Government cannot be expected to carry the responsibility of ensuring the delivery of accessible quality education to Namibians alone, Nghikembua said.Old Mutual Namibia has spent about N$120 000 on the acquisition and distribution of the 1 000 desks to the identified schools.The five schools are Ondjabayonghalu, Onankali South, Nalitungwe, Onankali North and Oshitukathitu.NampaTies between Tripoli and Moscow have again warmed since Vladimir Putin visited Libya last April shortly after he left the Kremlin.Topics for the visit will include possible delivery of Russian Su-30 fighter planes and advanced T-90 battle tanks, the report said, quoting an unnamed foreign ministry source and another source in the state technology agency.Russia could also sell Libya Tor-M2E air missile defence systems and spare parts for Russian-made weapons it already possesses, it said.Recent contacts between Libya and Russia have centred on Tripoli’s US$4,6 billion debt to Moscow which could be settled through a variety of business contracts, the report said.- AFP Old Mutual donates portable desks * Oshakati – More than 120 000 children in Namibia are affected by the shortage of educational resources in various schools across the country, said the Old Mutual Namibia’s CEO for operations.Sakaria Nghikembua said this on Friday at Oshakati where he donated some 1000 portable/lap desks to the Education Ministry for distribution to five needy schools in the northern regions of Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto.Nghikembua noted that the government allocates substantial resources to education from its central budget, but because of the ever-increasing educational demands government resources alone remain insufficient.Government cannot be expected to carry the responsibility of ensuring the delivery of accessible quality education to Namibians alone, Nghikembua said.Old Mutual Namibia has spent about N$120 000 on the acquisition and distribution of the 1 000 desks to the identified schools.The five schools are Ondjabayonghalu, Onankali South, Nalitungwe, Onankali North and Oshitukathitu.Nampa