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WASTE NOT: E-waste means money (XINHUA) |
E-waste Recycling
Africa
Multinational giants in the information and communication technology sector intend to venture into a thriving e-waste recycling business in Africa to boost their green credentials and contribute to the continent's economic and social transformation. Senior executives from Dell, HP, Nokia and Microsoft attending a Pan-African Forum on E-Waste in Nairobi in March were bullish about the huge business opportunities to seize in recycling of used electronic gadgets. Africa is grappling with unregulated dumping of e-waste materials in the fragile environment and scientists warn of serious health hazards to the population if the menace is not contained.
Food Safety Action
China
China's food and drug safety watchdog opened a national center recently to receive complaints on pharmaceuticals, health food products, cosmetics and catering. A subsidiary of the State Food and Drug Administration, the center handles reports of wrongdoings during research, development, production, distribution and utilization.
Genetic Engineering Ban
China
The freedom of grain producers in China to genetically engineer produce will be limited under a first-of-its-kind draft law released by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council recently. The research, sale, import and export of transgenic grain seeds should comply with state regulations. Institutions and individuals must not apply transgenic technologies to principle grain cultivars without approval, said the draft. The forthcoming law aims to ensure grain supply and security.
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ASIAN ART: Chinese investors are buying some of the most famous artworks in the world (XINHUA) |
Largest Art Market
China
China overtook the United States as the world's biggest market for art and antiques last year, ending decades of American domination. The historic turning point is also an important indicator of seismic shifts in the wider global economy, said the International Art Market in 2011, released in March by the European Fine Art Foundation. China's share of the global art market rose from 23 percent in 2010 to 30 percent last year, pushing the United States to the second place with a share of 29 percent, it said.
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DROUGHT: African governments try to cope with changing weather patterns from global warming (XINHUA) |
Less Rainfall
Africa
The Horn of Africa, which was affected by a severe drought in 2010 and 2011, may see less rainfall during the main rainy season running from March to May this year, said the World Meteorological Organization. Specifically, it indicated a 45 percent probability of a below-normal level of rainfall over much of the eastern and northern Kenya, the southern, eastern and northeastern parts of Ethiopia as well as in Somalia and Djibouti.
Numbers:
3 rd
China's rank in terms of the largest tourist destination in the world
18 percent +
Kenya's inflation
300,000
Chinese living in South Africa
$55 billion
Libya's 2012 budget
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