Zimbabwe’s HIV/Aids prevalence rate has declined from 24,6% two years ago to 21,3%, due to greater Aids awareness and changed sexual behaviour, according to a new study quoted in the state-run daily, The Herald. Zimbabwe is one of the countries hardest hit with at least 3 000 people dying weekly from Aids-related illness.
Chile sent cargo planes with medicine and tents to a northern Andean region rocked by an earthquake that killed at least 11 people, including a family of six buried by a landslide. The quake measured 7,9 on the Richter scale — the world’s third-strongest since the quake that set off the Asian tsunami in December.
The World Bank’s board of directors has approved a project to manage groundwater and drought in the Southern African region to be executed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the bank announced on Wednesday. The Groundwater and Drought Management project will cost ,5-million.
The South African property market has entered an extended phase of stability, according to the latest First National Bank Residential Property Barometer. Although overall market activity has decreased, activity in the middle-lower end of the market is not decreasing at the same rate as the upper-end, research shows.
At least seven people have been killed this week in attacks near Burundi’s capital by the country’s lone remaining rebel group as efforts continue to cement a shaky tentative truce, the army said on Wednesday. Two civilians, two government soldiers and three fighters from the rebel National Liberation Forces were killed.
The African National Congress National Working Committee is to soon make public its decision on what action will be taken against Members of Parliament who have already been found guilty of defrauding parliament. Eight MPs have plea-bargained in the so-called "Travelgate" scam — involving the misuse of travel vouchers provided to Members of Parliament.
Margaret Thatcher, who led Britain’s Conservative Party to three election wins via a combination of unshakeable will and iron discipline, has delivered a stark, if brief, message to her old organisation: ”Get on with it”. In a rare foray into contemporary politics, Thatcher issued the call at a celebration of the 30th anniversary of her accession as party leader.
Sources within the Johnnic Communications media stable have confirmed that Business Day editor Peter Bruce has terminated the column of controversial commentator David Gleason. Bruce’s decision is attributed to the columnist’s refusal -– after repeated requests -– to ”stop writing political pieces”.
Ethiopia’s crackdown on opposition members and students has spread outside the capital, while thousands of detainees are at increasing risk for abuse, a leading human rights group said on Wednesday. Human Rights Watch has obtained reports of mass arrests in at least nine cities outside of Addis Ababa.
Police in New Zealand broke down the door to an Auckland home after receiving an emergency call from the building, only to find that the call had apparently been made by the resident cat. It seems Tabby the cat had rung the 111 emergency number while taking a stroll across a telephone.