Cape salmon and kingklip may start disappearing from restaurant menus if linefish stocks continue to be depleted at present rates. Meanwhile, government is considering a suggestion that a crucial marine breeding ground be opened up to community fishing. Scientists say this would further impact on fish stocks.
A huge shift in global capital flows is forecast after the Chinese government’s acquisition of a $3-billion stake in the sprawling United States private equity group Blackstone, owner of Café Rouge restaurants, Madame Tussauds and Center Parcs. The purchase is likely to be only the starting point of a $200-billion foray into world stock markets and private companies by the communist government in Beijing.
Broad-based BEE has been described as the greatest strategic issue confronting businesses of all sizes, structures and shapes in South Africa. Yet it is often swept aside as too onerous, confusing, unfair or unnecessary. Strategic implementation of broad-based BEE will help business and other roleplayers ensure sustainable economic growth and advantage the enterprises that implement it properly now.
There are twin-packs of comfy men’s pyjamas. There are summer kaftans. And there are, of course, knickers — sold in reassuring white multi-packs. Welcome to Moscow’s Marks & Spencer, one of the chain’s newest overseas branches, and part of an ambitious expansion drive that is transforming M&S into a global brand.
Foul air, filthy water and contaminated soil have led to a surge of tumours in China, where cancer is the main cause of death, the state media reported this week. Raising fears that breakneck economic growth is having a dire impact on the nation’s health, a government survey blamed pollution for a sharp rise in cancer cases.
The fallout from the Gauteng government’s billion-rand monorail, which will connect Soweto to the Johannesburg CBD, continued to grow this week. While Transport Minister Jeff Radebe and sources close to the Jo’burg metro council claim to be in the dark about the project, it has emerged that talks are already in the advanced stages with German consortia for similar monorails in the Tshwane and Ekurhuleni municipalities.
Old Middle East hands like to quote the adage: ”If you think you understand Lebanon, you haven’t been properly briefed.” The country’s sheer complexity, with its mosaic of religions, sects and allegiances and links to competing foreign powers, can make it fiendishly difficult to understand.
Two’s company. Three’s a crowd. And whoever they are, I don’t trust them. Yes, in the ever expanding list of things I don’t ”get”, the most crippling entry has to be people. I don’t get people. What’s their appeal, precisely? They waddle around with their haircuts on, cluttering the pavement like gormless, farting skittles. They’re awful.
SADC countries are proposing the reopening of ivory trade to countries certified as trading partners by the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (Cites). But a conservation group warned this week that the region does not have its own house in order, as domestic sales of ivory continue to thrive.
In recent months a rising chorus has argued for an end to affirmative action. A range of white commentators and white-dominated organisations has argued for a ”sunset clause” on affirmative action policies so that the good intentions of what is otherwise morally justifiable legislation will not eventually translate into apartheid in reverse.