Friday, February 13, 2009
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Amy Witherden.
Making headlines:
The ruling African National Congress has extended an olive branch to its rival, the Inkatha Freedom Party.
While expressing concern over "unfortunate" comments made by ANC Youth League president, Julius Malema, about IFP president Mangosutho Buthelezi, the ANC "affirmed its respect" for the long-time leader of its fiercest rival in KwaZulu-Natal.
ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte says that it is "essential" to avoid increasing political temperatures, particularly in the run-up to the national elections.
The IFP has responded, saying that the mudslinging must stop, and adding that peace and lasting reconciliation must be built not just for the election but for the long run.

In other news, scientists say that atmospheric levels of the world's main greenhouse gas are hitting new highs, with no sign yet that the global economic downturn is curbing industrial emissions.
Kim Holmen, research director at the Norwegian Polar Institute, says that the rise in carbon emissions is in line with a long-term trend. Carbon dioxide concentrations are likely to rise further in 2009, he explained. They usually peak before the start of spring in the northern hemisphere, where most of the world's industry, cities and vegetation are concentrated.
Levels of carbon dioxide are sitting at their highest in 800 000 years, and are up by about one-third since the start of the Industrial Revolution.

In other news, African National Congress spokesperson Carl Niehaus has offered to resign from his position, following news reports that he committed fraud to secure a loan.
Niehaus said that he understands the implications of these allegations going public and he accepts that the ANC will have to decide about his future.
A newspaper reported that Niehaus allegedly wrote a fraudulent letter while he was chief executive of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency and forged signatures in an attempt to secure a loan from a businessperson. Niehaus also allegedly borrowed money from several high level people in the ANC to maintain his standard of living.

Also making headlines:
The Inkatha Freedom Party hails Julius Malema as the hero of the opposition.
In Madagascar, political rivals begin talks to end the unrest in that country.
And, South African President Kgalama Motlanthe officially proclaims April 22 as the election date.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.