Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said on Wednesday that 90% of buildings in the worst-hit area of the Gulf Coast in his state are ”totally just gone” after Hurricane Katrina, as the mayor of New Orleans said it will be three to four months before residents can return to the city, which is nearly 80% submerged.
Conservationists say the dreaded Ebola virus, along with decades of hunting and logging, is putting some ape species on the brink of extinction in Central Africa. Most at risk are western lowland gorillas and the Central African chimpanzee, both of which inhabit the dense rainforests of Central Africa.
Parliament’s minerals and energy committee on Wednesday adopted the public protector’s report on the alleged irregular payment of R15-million by PetroSA to Imvume Management — the backbone of the so-called Oilgate scandal. This was despite objection from opposition parties.
South African financial institutions doing business with Nigeria run the risk of tarnishing their reputations, Parliament’s finance portfolio committee heard on Wednesday. The West African country was on the blacklist of the international Financial Action Task Force, the director of South Africa’s Financial intelligence Centre, Murray Michell, told members.
The first port of call for South Africa’s beleaguered employees is the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). But where do those who work for the CCMA turn? The commission faces possible strike action following a deadlock in salary negotiations with its employees’ assocation.
More than 630 people died in a stampede on a bridge in Baghdad on Wednesday, following a mortar attack on a Shi’ite shrine in the Iraqi capital. The victims were reported to be Shi’ite pilgrims who had been making their way to the shrine to observe an annual religious ritual. ”I was trying to pick up the children but was swept off my feet,” said one pilgrim.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union on Wednesday raised concerns over the vagueness of some of the proposed amendments to the South African Schools Act. The amendments make provision for the establishment of a national poverty table of schools for ”resource targeting”.
Uganda has appointed an international audit firm to oversee its anti-HIV/Aids programmes following the suspension of more than -million in assistance by the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a senior official said on Wednesday.
South Africa recorded a deficit of R1,017-billion for its trade with non-Southern African Customs Union trading partners in July after a R1,33-billion surplus in June, according to the latest customs and excise figures released on Wednesday. Commented Mike Schussler, economist at T-Sec: "The figure is less than I expected."
New Zealand, favourites to win the Tri-Nations decider against the injury-plagued Wallabies here on Saturday, are wary of the threat posed by under-siege Australia captain George Gregan. Australian critics of the 32-year-old scrum-half are calling for his scalp as the side endures their worst losing streak in nearly 25 years.