The number of new cases of Ebola rose in all three of West Africa’s worst-hit countries last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, ending several weeks of encouraging declines across the region. Suspicion of aid workers, especially in Guinea, and unsafe local practices were continuing to hamper efforts to halt the deadly
Large HIV trail in Africa fails spectacularly
The spectacular failure of a large clinical trial of H.I.V.-prevention methods in Africa — and the elaborate deceptions employed by the women in it — have opened an ethical debate about how to run such studies in poor countries and have already changed the design of some that are now underway. Scientists who conduct clinical
Pentagon says Putin has Asperger’s
A study from a Pentagon think tank theorizes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has Asperger’s syndrome, “an autistic disorder which affects all of his decisions,” according to the 2008 report obtained by USA TODAY. The 2008 report cites Dr. Stephen Porges, who is now a University of North Carolina psychiatry professor, as concluding that “Putin
Johannesburg grows amid gloom
The economy of the City of Joburg has grown by 2.6 percent, more than either the national or Gauteng economies, despite the global economic recession. Mayoral committee member for finance, Geoff Makhubo, said during the announcement of the annual budget report last week that Joburg has received an unqualified audit report from the auditor-general for
‘Terrorists raise money in SA’
Millions of rand stolen from local businesses could end up in hands of terrorists, warns Werksmans attorney Berhard Hotz. He was speaking in Sandton on Wednesday. Hotz investigates white collar crime and commercial fraud. He said money that had been stolen from a South African company had landed up in the hands of terrorists at
Protest at Oxford University over Marine Le Pen’s visit to debating society
More than 200 demonstrators are set to gather at Oxford University on Thursday to protest the visit of Marine Le Pen, the president of French right-wing party Front National, according to the protesters’ Facebook event page. Le Pen, who has been accused of stoking Islamophobia after attacks in Paris last month, is due to speak at the Oxford Union, the university’s prestigious debating society, at 17:00 GMT. “Demonstrate –
Read more: Protest at Oxford University over Marine Le Pen’s visit to debating society
Tycoon says Apartheid was bad for business
Apartheid was not good for his businesses Johann Rupert, chairman of the Remgro and Richemont groups, declared on Tuesday. He was one of the speakers at the FW de Klerk Foundation’s conference on issues related to the South African economy and race. On 2 February 1990 De Klerk unbanned most terrorist organisations, including the ANC,
Whiteface causes a stir
Azealia Banks is at the center of another racially charged controversy after posting a picture of herself being transformed into an ice princess for a new music video and tagging it “#WhiteFace.” Later explaining herself on Twitter, the outspoken rapper created a firestorm. In recent months, Banks has frequently made headlines with her Twitter rants
Land invasions: Mayor meets illegal occupants
Mangaung Executive Mayor, Thabo Manyoni on Tuesday met with representatives of the community of Botshabelo regarding illegal land occupation and invasion. A portion of Botshabelo section H was not properly allocated to residents. Manyoni said the land invasion was against procedures of the city and needed to be rectified urgently. He added that he will
Norway to ban aiding beggars
The scope of the law, which was originally intended to ban homeless people from begging on the street, has been extended to also criminalise those offering money or other help, outraging many in Oslo who believe they risked being charged simply for helping less fortunate people. Inger Husby, from the Oslo suburb of Bøler, who
Corpse falls from mortuary van
A corpse fell out of the back of a moving mortuary vehicle on a busy Pinetown road at the weekend. The vehicle was travelling on Josiah Gumede (Old Main) Road in Durban on Saturday morning when local car dealer, Mike Mears, said he heard a clattering sound. He was standing on the roadside chatting to
Iceland builds temple to Norse gods
A modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in recent years as followers see the stories as metaphors for life not worship of the gods
A modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in recent years as followers see the stories as metaphors for life not worship of the gods
Good luck to Nigeria’s president at the polls
Less than two weeks from national polls, Nigeria’s ruling party is facing unprecedented shifts in the politics of religion that could spell trouble for the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan. While he may still be the favourite on February 14, experts said some factors could remove his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power for the first
Trayvon’s father speaks at black excellence gala
Tracy Martin, father of Trayvon Martin, will speak at Texas Tech’s Black Excellence Gala, according to KFYO. Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman in Florida in 2012. In a 2013 trail, Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree and manslaughter charges. The event is being hosted by the Iota Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,