United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on China, whose rapid industrial growth has turned it into one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, to do more to tackle climate change. ”China is one of the biggest emitters and should take part … in common efforts to address these climate-change issues,” Ban told journalists.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) awaits the release of crime statistics with bated breath, the party said on Monday. Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula is expected to release the crime statistics on Tuesday. The DA spokesperson on safety and security said the party hoped the crime statistics would restore the public’s faith in the police’s ability to fight crime.
Judges at the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone have delayed the war-crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor until August 20 so a new defence team has time to prepare, a court spokesperson said on Monday. Taylor has boycotted his trial since it began in June, saying he has inadequate funds to mount a proper defence.
African public and private investors plan to finance highways, hydro-power dams and other infrastructure through a continent-wide fund that puts hard cash behind the goal of a more united Africa. ”This is a fund by Africans for the benefit of Africans,” South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said.
Zimbabwe’s government on Monday threatened to close businesses defying its order to halve prices, accusing them of working to topple President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe’s government last week ordered a 50% cut in the prices of basic goods and services after prices shot up by as much as 300% in a week.
It is already famous for its brash spending, high prices and love affair with designer labels. But on Sunday Moscow confirmed its reputation as the world’s most decadently expensive city with the opening of a luxury hotel aimed at the mega-rich.
Two days before Canadians celebrated their nation, a survey published last Friday found that more than half of them would not be granted citizenship on the basis of their knowledge of their own country. According to the Ipsos Reid poll, 60% of Canadians would fail the citizenship exam, a necessary step for immigrants to be granted citizenship.
South Africa coach Jake White says the Wallabies still have problems with their scrum and he wants a fair contest in Saturday’s Tri-Nations rugby Test in Sydney. White says he plans to speak with New Zealand referee Paul Honiss before the Test to ensure what he calls a ”fair” scrum contest against the Australians.
Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno’s son, Brahim, was found dead on Monday morning in the underground parking lot of a building he lived in near Paris, police and court officials said. President Déby sacked Brahim as his adviser in June 2006 after the then 27-year-old was arrested in a Paris discotheque for possessing an illegal firearm and drugs.
Hooker Raphael Ibanez will captain France during the World Cup later this year, team manager Jo Maso announced on Monday. He will take over from lock Fabien Pelous. The 34-year-old Ibanez, who currently plays with London side Wasps, was captain of the French team at the 1999 World Cup, taking the team to the final where they lost to Australia.