South Africa

Farmers need resources for next planting season; Experts are optimistic about solving the problem

Cape Town, South Africa, 5 June 2008 – Governments, multilateral organizations and aid agencies should ensure that African smallholders receive the inputs they need for the next planting season and create the conditions for sustained growth in agriculture to defuse what Jacob G. Zuma, President of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa, called a “time bomb” of food prices that could lead to an “uprising” should the poor be “cut out from buying food”.    » read more »

April 26, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - "I am deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe. Since the elections on March 29, the ruling party has failed to release the results of the presidential election, refused to heed the will of the people of Zimbabwe, and engaged in an unacceptable campaign of repression and intimidation. Instead of the change that the people of Zimbabwe voted for, we've seen opposition and civil society offices raided, opposition supporters sent to torture camps, and communities turned into “no go zones” while the ruling party unleashes brutality without restraint.    » read more »

United Nations relief officials say nearly a million people across Southern Africa have suffered damaging effects from recent floods, cyclones and heavy rains.

The officials say severe weather that began last October has disrupted the lives of about 987,000 people.

They say Madagascar has been hardest hit, with more than 332,000 people affected by several cyclones and floods.

The floods and cyclones have destroyed homes, roads and crops across the region. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says many families are living in temporary shelters, while others have lost their cattle and livelihoods.

The U.N. says the worst weather is over for another year, but problems could persist through the end of April.    » read more »

Number of tournament teams to expand through qualifying rounds in 2013

02/19/2008 -- World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI) today announced the final eight teams that will be invited to participate in the 2009 World Baseball Classic next March, as endorsed by the tournament's Steering Committee.    » read more »

Release of exclusive track to launch twelve-month programme of activity

11 February 2008 -- EMI, the (RED) campaign and Channel 4 today announce their collaboration on the UK release of multi award-winning film WE ARE TOGETHER. The organisations will launch a twelve-month programme of activity with the release of a song from the film’s soundtrack, available as an exclusive MP3 download online.    » read more »

21 December 2007 -- In South Africa, the attorney for Jacob Zuma, the newly elected president of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has described as improper news that his client would soon be charged for corruption. This comes after the national prosecutor announced in a radio interview that there is enough evidence for him to make the decision on when to take action against Zuma. Michael Hulley questioned the timing of the announcement, saying state resources are being used against his client.    » read more »

12 November 2007 -- Experts on lung disease meeting in South Africa are warning the world could face a tuberculosis crisis if drug resistant strains of TB are not contained and if TB testing does not become a regular part of HIV treatment.

Three thousand experts from 100 countries ended a five-day conference in Cape Town warning that urgent measures are needed to address the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis and its growing presence among victims of HIV/AIDS.    » read more »

05 November 2007, Johannesburg (By Scott Bobb) -- U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey says she was devastated upon learning that a staff member at her girls' school in South Africa had been accused of abusing several pupils. Oprah Winfrey made the remark hours after the staff member appeared in court on charges of indecent assault. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Johannesburg.

Talk show star Oprah Winfrey told reporters in Johannesburg via satellite about her distress upon learning that pupils at her school for disadvantaged girls had accused a female dorm parent of sexual abuse.    » read more »

* MusicStation to launch in South Africa with Vodafone affiliate network Vodacom, bringing legal subscription based digital music downloads within reach of over 24.6 million mobile users for the first time
* Consumers have access to over a million tracks from Universal Music Group, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, EMI Music and Warner Music Group and independent labels
* MusicStation available on new and existing Nokia and Sony Ericsson handsets

03 October 2007 -- Rescue workers have begun rescuing the first of three thousand miners trapped underground after an accident early Wednesday at a gold mine outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.

The first 75 miners reached the surface early Thursday after being trapped underground since Wednesday morning at the Elandsrand mine near the city of Carletonville.    » read more »

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2007 – The New York Stock Exchange today opened its doors to the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa met with NYSE Euronext CEO John A. Thain and closed the NYSE market.

“We are honored to welcome South African President Thabo Mbeki and his delegation to the New York Stock Exchange,” said NYSE Euronext CEO John A. Thain. “This visit reinforces our continuing dialogue with South Africa and we look forward to adding additional companies from South Africa to the largest global equities marketplace.”    » read more »

New York, 31 July 2007 (By Victoria Cavaliere) -- The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved sending an expanded peacekeeping force to Sudan's Darfur region. From VOA's New York Bureau, Victoria Cavaliere reports that the resolution follows eight months of negotiations over the make-up and mandate of the force.

The Security Council adopted the resolution Tuesday, just 24 hours after co-sponsors Britain and France circulated a finalized draft - the fourth revision this month.    » read more »

11 July 2007 -- Six African countries – Botswana, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Kenya – rank among the world’s most tolerant societies in terms of religious freedoms. That’s according to the latest study by the Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom. It measured the amount of government regulation, government favoritism toward a particular religion, and the amount of social pressures and constraints imposed by other faiths and organized groups in the country.    » read more »

27 June 2007 -- The first measureable snowfall in almost 26 years has blanketed Johannesburg, South Africa, closing roads, delaying flights and claiming at least one life.

Weather officials say as many as 10 centimeters of snow fell over the area Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Children were seen playing in area parks, while others were saving snowballs as souvenirs of the fast-melting snow.

The officials say the last recorded snowfall for the area was in September of 1981. Temperatures Wednesday dipped below freezing in several areas.    » read more »

18 June 2007 -- The head of the world soccer federation, FIFA, has arrived in South Africa to inspect work on 10 stadiums being built or refurbished for the 2010 soccer World Cup. Sepp Blatter immediately sought to dispel persistent reports that alternate countries are being considered. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Johannesburg.

The head of soccer's world governing body, Sepp Blatter, Monday inspected construction on Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium and said in general construction is on track.    » read more »