South African suppliers of flu vaccines have run out, with new stocks expected only in May, the companies said on Wednesday. Sanofi Pasteur, one of the largest suppliers, confirmed that its 2005 southern-hemisphere flu vaccine will not be available in South Africa before May this year, ”and might not be available at all”.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday urged donors who pledged ,5-billion for war-torn Sudan to provide the cash quickly, and the African Union to send peacekeepers to prevent more death and suffering. In the past, ”we’ve learned that donor pledges often remain unfulfilled”, he said.
Hopes were fading on Wednesday for more than 100 people feared trapped in a collapsed Bangladesh factory as rescuers raced against the clock to reach anyone still alive in the rubble. Officials said it is possible for people trapped in voids to survive for up to four days. Twenty-eight bodies have so far been recovered.
A meteorite that residents described as a ”huge ball of fire” was spotted on Wednesday over the eastern Spanish regions of Catalonia and Valencia, according to astronomers in the region. ”We received scores of calls from witnesses, who at first thought it was an asteroid flashing past,” said a spokesperson for an astronomers’ association.
Child-rights activists on Wednesday called on Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool to ensure controversial Central Karoo municipal manager Truman Prince is removed from office. Prince, who has been embroiled in a series of controversies, including involvement with child prostitutes, was suspended and then reinstated last month.
Stormers coach Gert Smal is giving Schalk Burger until Friday to prove his match fitness for Saturday’s Super 12 clash against the Crusaders at Newlands. The 2004 International Rugby Board player of the year strained a calf muscle in last week’s 15-13 win over the Reds. Smal wants to play him at number eight.
The number of bogus nurses working in South Africa has significantly increased, a private credentials verification firm warned on Wednesday. There was a growing number of ”colleges” claiming to train nurses, said Ina van der Merwe, chief executive of Kroll MIE.
Microsoft released five security bulletins to fix flaws that could allow an attacker to take complete control of someone else’s computer system. The security flaws rated ”critical” — Microsoft’s highest threat level — affect the company’s Windows computer operating system, Internet Explorer browser, MSN Messenger, Microsoft Word software and Exchange server system.
As an unfortunate quirk of fate would have it, the avenue that runs through the heart of the Polish capital, Warsaw, bearing the name of native-born Pope John Paul II is a high holy place for sex shops, a Polish newspaper pointed out on Wednesday. The avenue’s residents have repeatedly asked city authorities to intervene.
All cellphones reported stolen are to be blacklisted in future — rendering them immediately unusable, in terms of a new crime-prevention initiative announced by police and cellphone operators on Wednesday. National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi said the initiative will remove the incentive for cellphone theft and robbery.