SA’s preparations to host the United Nations (UN) climate change conference in Durban in November have been heavily criticised by the European Union (EU). Judith Sargentini, a Dutch former anti-apartheid activist now responsible for fostering SA-EU bilateral relations, said SA had neither the capacity nor the strategy to secure a deal on climate change as hosts of the UN conference.

A dire cash flow shortage in Nelson Mandela Bay, the sprawling municipality that includes Port Elizabeth, Despatch and Uitenhage, has resulted in an R800 million cut in spending on key service delivery projects in the municipality - including a project to put an end to the undignified bucket system. The council’s financial woes are mainly due to World Cup spending that was not recouped, and a drop in the revenue collection rate.

With sources indicating that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) is preparing to sign a military partnership treaty with the African Union (AU), Rick Rozoff highlights what is at stake with the organisation’s expansion.

Zimbabwean state security agents tortured 46 detained activists in an attempt to implicate them for treason, according to a statement issued by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. Detained social justice activist Munyaradzi Gwisai said the pain which he endured and suffered as a result of the torture sessions was 'indescribable, sadistic and a tragedy for Zimbabwe'.