Staff Reporter

The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, issued an environmental wake-up call to China on Monday, saying the world’s fastest-expanding economy had to move away from red-hot growth towards a greener, leaner, slower model of development.

Motor-vehicle accidents and incidents of violent crime in South Africa are leaving their mark on people’s lives in many different ways. Apart from the emotional trauma suffered, the long-term effects of physical injuries can also cause major disruptions. Severe injuries or illness could force one to make adjustments or stop work altogether.

British special forces have flown to the remote area of Ethiopia where five Britons were kidnapped, defence sources said on Sunday. An SAS troop trained in hostage rescue is on standby in Britain and two soldiers from the elite unit, described as being in a "liaison" role, are already on the ground.

"It is increasingly apparent that the current SABC board is not fit to run the public broadcaster. In the wake of the SABC’s commission of inquiry into allegations of blacklisting, public attention has focused mainly on the conduct of the managing director of news, Snuki Zikalala," writes Jane Duncan, the executive director of the Freedom of Expression Institute.

The five tourists kidnapped in Ethiopia were sighted on Saturday in an Eritrean army camp, 20km from the border between the countries. The sighting, in a camp near the village of Ara-Ta, confirms that the Britons are being held by Eritrean soldiers and not local people and suggests there has been a dramatic escalation in tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

In a small Berlin laboratory, Robert Hermes is testing instruments that would do credit to a James Bond villain. He has metal probes, giant syringes and a set of electrodes that would embarrass an Abu Ghraib jailer. This fearsome collection has a benign purpose, however, for Hermes intends to use it to save the world’s most endangered large mammal:

The woman known as the Oprah Winfrey of the Middle East has fled to London in fear for her safety amid a row over allegations that actresses were paid to pretend they were prostitutes on her television show. Dr Hala Sarhan is believed to have left Egypt aboard the private jet of Saudi billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal when it became clear that the government wanted her arrested.

Carbon dioxide emissions from shipping are double those of aviation and increasing at an alarming rate which will have a serious impact on global warming. Studies suggest that maritime carbon dioxide emissions are not only higher than previously thought, but could rise by as much as 75% in the next 15 to 20 years.

When Ahmad Khidr’s wife, Nadia, was close to her pregnancy’s full term, the Shia grocer drove her to a friend’s house each evening before the curfew began. "We were terrified she would go into labour during the night," said Ahmad (23). "I did not want to risk taking her to a hospital at night."

An international panel of scientists has proposed that all countries cease building on coastal land that is less than a metre above high tide so as to avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change. The recommendation was one of many from experts from 11 countries.

The Zimbabwean government has admitted that state agents are jamming radio broadcasts by foreign stations deemed hostile to President Robert Mugabe’s government, state media reported on Thursday. "We cannot allow foreigners to invade our airwaves without our authority," Bright Matonga, the Deputy Minister of Information and Publicity, was quoted as saying.

First National Bank (FNB) has scrapped its annual credit-card eBucks linkage fee and has simplified the way in which customers earn eBucks. eBucks retains its key benefits enabling a member to spend well-earned eBucks at a wide range of partners, whether it is a flight anywhere in South Africa or shopping at retail partners

A "feel-good factor" is creating a comfort zone for thousands of upwardly mobile families as they add to their personal possessions — but without proper insurance safeguards, these householders could find the good times turning bad. This consumer alert comes from short-term insurer Mutual & Federal.