South Africa strengthening focus on synchroton science

ONE of the most promising and exciting areas of science today is synchrotron research, and, although South Africa does not have a synchrotron of its own, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is promoting the widening and deepening of...

Business reform in Africa gathering pace, report states

While Africa, for the first time, made it to the top three reforming regions in the International Finance Corporation's (IFC's) 'Doing Business' report, South Africa slipped one place to number 29 on the list of the top economies on the ease of...

Super telescope being designed for Namibia project

A fifth telescope, which will be the largest of its kind in the world, is being designed and developed for the Hess (High Energy Stereoscopic System) project, in Namibia.

Aluminium plant resumes production after revamp

World-number-three aluminium producer Rusal said yesterday that it has launched production at its Armenian foil-rolling asset Armenal, following completion of the first stage of its modernisation plans.

Rusal secures loan for foil-mill upgrade

Russian-based aluminum producer Rusal has secured a €46,6-million export loan to fund a large-scale programme to upgrade its Armenal foil mill in Armenia.

Developing countries win subsidies reprieve

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures last week extended by another year, until end 2005, the transition period for the elimination of export subsidy programmes of 19 developing countries under the...

Nuclear waste debate continues

THE global nuclear industry produces 12 000 t of spent nuclear annually; in contrast, the burning of fossil fuels directly releases 25 billion (yes, billion) tons of carbon waste into the atmosphere every year.

WTO membership rises to 145

This week Armenia became the 145th member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), 30 days after the secretariat received official notification of the ratification of Armenia's Protocol of Accession. The General Council approved the country's...

SA joins global stand against cybercrime

In a move welcomed by the local information technology security sector, South Africa has taken a definitive stand against Internet crime.

WTO expands as leaders talk about new talks

Twenty-eight governments are currently negotiating the terms of accession to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).