Monday July 04, 2011

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Brad Dubbelman

Making headlines:

The African National Congress (ANC) Youth League's position on nationalisation and land reform is in line with that of Cosatu and its affiliate Numsa, the union's general secretary Irvin Jim, said. "What emerged in the Youth League conference was the sum total of resolutions Cosatu and Numsa have been talking about," he said at a briefing in Newtown. The ANC Youth League adopted resolutions favouring the nationalisation of the mines and expropriation of land without compensation at its national conference in June, to an outcry from opposition parties, civil society and business.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is welcome to live out his retirement inside Libya as long as he gives up all power, Libya's rebel chief said in the clearest concession the rebels have so far offered. Gaddafi has fiercely resisted all international calls for him to go and vowed to fight to the end, but members of his inner circle have given indications they are ready to negotiate with the rebels, including on the Libyan leader's future. Gaddafi is still holding on to power, five months into a rebellion against his 41-year rule and despite a Nato bombardment and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.

African leaders plan to launch a fund this year to help the continent access and manage its share of money from the global UN Green Climate Fund, a UN official said. Climate negotiators have yet to establish the Green Climate Fund, which the United Nations wants to be able to deliver $100-billion a year by 2020. The idea of the fund was one of the few agreements to come out of stalled climate talks in 2009. The resources will help poor countries brace for the effects of climate change while also investing in projects that mitigate it, such as renewable energy and protecting forests.

Also making headlines:
As southern Sudanese count down the minutes to independence on July 9, northerners are anxiously contemplating a future with less oil, roaring inflation and emboldened rebellions.
Icasa said it would instruct all network operators to provide a report and an explanation of network problems experienced on June 30.
And, conflicting policy signals about mine nationalisation are dampening investor enthusiasm, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned, appealing for leadership from the governing ANC.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.