After years in which they were poached almost to extinction, the number of mountain gorillas in central Africa appears to be on the rise. Numbers are still critically low, but wildlife officials are delighted by the results of a recent survey that show populations of mountain gorillas have grown from 324 in 1989 to 380.

As a borough of many ethnicities Brooklyn has many ways of bidding hello and goodbye to visitors. As you approach the borough from Queens over the Kosciuszko Bridge, you are greeted with the sign: ”Welcome to Brooklyn: Believe the Hype.”

Israel is to make minor changes to the route of its ”security fence” through the occupied West Bank after lawyers warned that the present path may be indefensible in court. The move comes ahead of a high court hearing next month challenging the legality of building the vast steel and concrete barrier on Palestinian land.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) on Monday dismissed a complaint laid by several opposition political parties against the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The broadcaster drew the ire of opposition parties after it screened the launch of the ANC’s election manifesto.

Entries for the 2003 Telkom ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Journalist of the Year Awards have closed, judges have narrowed down the field and the industry is poised for the announcement of winners to be made at a prestigious gala awards evening in Sandton on February 24 2004.

Museums aren’t the frightening places you might think they are. Thanks to the Net, you can go browsing and get a taste of what culture and history really look like. Try the International Gallery of Stewardess Uniforms. Or perhaps Amish buggy plates or Belly Dancing LP Covers. Ian Fraser brings the worldwide weird to you.