Voters have begun registering for elections in Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarchy, with unions calling for a boycott of a "rubber-stamp" poll.

African farmers say they are struggling to access a key programme meant to help them take part in the fight against climate change.

"It's like this every time the pope is hospitalised," said the doctor clad in his white coat at the entrance to Rome's Gemelli hospital, surrounded by a crush of reporters from around the world pushing to get information about Pope John Paul II's health. The journalists "took all the parking spaces", said a patient's father.

Rhinos will be wiped out from SA's parks by 2050 if poaching continues at its current rate, thanks in part to corrupt officials, a campaigner says.

Rhinos will be wiped out from SA's parks by 2050 if poaching continues at its current rate, thanks in part to corrupt officials, a campaigner says.

African farmers say they are struggling to access a key programme meant to help them take part in the fight against climate change.

Gold mine owners and unions representing striking workers say they have reached a deal aimed at ending months of industrial unrest.

Voters have begun registering for elections in Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarchy, with unions calling for a boycott of a "rubber-stamp" poll.