China seeks to unlock secrets of traditional medicines

Posted on February 1, 2012  /  2 Comments

Chinese legends have long extolled the benefits of the Tian Shan Xue Lian, a rare white flower found in snow-capped mountains that is revered as a panacea, an elixir so powerful it can supposedly bring the dead back to life.

But in laboratories in Shanghai and Hong Kong, scientists are poring over this cusped, wrinkly flower the size of an avocado, from which they hope to develop a new drug to treat irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation, a serious disease that raises the risk of stroke. (more…)

Charges against Occupy Rondebosch Common protestors dropped

Posted on January 31, 2012  /  Comments Off

Charges of public violence against the 41 protesters arrested at the weekend for their participation in the Occupy Rondebosch Common campaign have been withdrawn.

The protestors appeared at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. All charges were dropped as there was no evidence to support accusations of public violence at the protest, which turned violent after police intervened. (more…)

Street vendors’ protest sparking a revolution

Posted on January 27, 2012  /  Comments Off

There are some unlikely comparisons between the work lives of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit seller who sparked the Arab revolution, and Francis Tachirev, a fruit seller in Zimbabwe.

The protests that started it all began after Bouazizi burnt himself after the police confiscated his fruit-vending cart. Nationwide protests after Bouaziz’s death led to Tunisia’s former President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali fleeing the country and giving up power. Bouaziz’s dramatic death changed the world, starting what is now referred to as the Arab Spring. (more…)

Behind the scenes cover shoot

Posted on January 27, 2012  /  Comments Off

Photos by: Retha Ferguson (more…)

Refugee Centre now under fire over allegations of assault

Posted on January 27, 2012  /  Comments Off

The Maitland Refugee Centre is mired in controversy again following allegations that a Zimbabwean man was seriously assaulted by security at the centre yesterday.

The incident is said to have taken place just a day after another refugee, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi man, died while waiting in the snaking queue in scorching heat. (more…)

Asylum seeker who died in Refugee Centre queue identified as Bangladeshi national

Posted on January 26, 2012  /  Comments Off

The identity of the refugee who died while waiting in a queue at the Refugee Reception Centre in Cape Town yesterday has not yet been released, but police have confirmed the 33-year-old man was from Bangladesh.

“The cause of death is still unknown. We are waiting for the Department of Health to give us a post-mortem report. No foul play is suspected and no one has been arrested,” said SAPS spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut. (more…)

Afghan academy seeks to ease pain of war with music

Posted on January 26, 2012  /  Comments Off

A cacophony ranging from Asian string instruments to the delicate cadences of classical piano pours out of a two-storey building in central Kabul. Here, at Afghanistan’s sole music academy, students are taught music with the hope it will bring comfort in the face of war and poverty, bringing back cellos and violins to revive a rich musical legacy disrupted by decades of violence and suppression.

“We are committed to rebuilding ruined lives through music, given its healing power,” said Ahmad Sarmast, head of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. (more…)