Europe became the world leader in tackling climate change on Friday when 27 governments agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and commit the EU to generating a fifth of its energy from renewable sources within 13 years. Greenpeace praised it as the biggest decision taken to fight global warming since the Kyoto protocol 10 years ago. European leaders said it was an historic pact.
The end of the world, the Vikings sang, would be drenched in the blood of gods and monsters. On that final day, the day of Ragnarök, the legions of evil would launch their final assault on the capricious, petty overlords of Asgard, beyond the Rainbow Bridge.
Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa will re-examine the shareholder interests of all four bidders who applied to run the National Lottery, he said in a statement on Friday. The decision follows a Pretoria High Court ruling setting aside Mpahlwa’s decision to award the lottery licence to preferred bidder, Gidani.
President Thabo Mbeki on Friday mooted the possibility of amending the South African and African National Congress constitutions to provide for better gender equality. He said the party’s decision after the 2006 local government elections that its elected municipal council representatives will be constituted on the basis of gender equality had been eminently correct.
In the 1980s every young pilot’s dream was to be Tom Cruise’s character, Maverick, in the film Top Gun. But this is not so anymore, the South African Air Force said on Friday. ”Their role model is no longer the guy … with the big watch and sunglasses; it is a four-bar [commercial airline] captain who is driving a big car,” said Major General Des Barker.
The European Union has reached a deal on ”ambitious and credible” targets to tackle climate change and energy needs, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday after a summit of EU leaders. The agreement, addressing such issues as biofuels and renewable energy, commits Europe to take the lead in fighting global warming.
The Health Department plans to reduce the rate of new HIV/Aids infections by 50% by the year 2011, acting health minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday. ”To achieve this, we need to intensify the implementation of prevention interventions aimed at changing behaviour and reduce sexual transmission,” Radebe said.
Several hundred protesters dressed in pink tops and jeans in sympathy with the family of murdered seven-year-old Sheldean Human dispersed peacefully from outside the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Earlier in the day, the case of the man suspected of murdering the girl was postponed in the court.
Lloyd Gedye talks to Sweden’s Marching Band, who recently toured South Africa.
Lloyd Gedye chats to Harris Tweed about their upcoming international showcase in Texas.