Wal-Mart eyes new market

SOUTH AFRICA: The BBC reported last week that Wal-Mart has entered into negotiations to purchase the South African chain Massmart for more than $4 billion. The move comes as Wal-Mart experiences poor sales in the U.S. but strong growth internationally, especially in Brazil, China and Mexico. A buyout of Massmart would give Wal-Mart a strong foothold in Africa and allow them to expand to other regions and markets on that continent. A spokesperson for Wal-Mart said that they will respect all labour laws and existing unions, something that has troubled previous expansions. Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retail company.

Georgia adopts English language, western values

GEORGIA: Two years after being invaded by Russia, the former soviet state of Georgia has replaced Russian with English as the country’s official second language after Georgian, as reported in a video by Aljazeera.net. Russian influence on Georgian society has been in decline for years as many Georgians seek the prosperity associated with speaking English. Georgia’s government denies any political motivation for the change, noting instead their country’s desire to shift toward western values. More than 200 foreign English teachers are already at work in the country with plans to bring more in the coming years. The government hopes to have all Georgians fluent in English by 2014.

One-child policy will continue

CHINA: The Chinese government will continue its one-child policy in the coming decades, the CBC reported, despite much speculation that the restrictions would be relaxed, raising the limit to two children per family. The policy has been linked with many negative demographic trends in China, including an aging population and a lack of female children. The government, however, explains that the policy helps to counter cycles of poverty by preventing large, unsustainable families. The 30-year-old one-child policy has prevented an estimated 400 million births in a country that already has the world’s largest population.

Do not ride the whales

AUSTRALIA: Authorities have begun spreading the word about the danger of approaching whales in the wild after a young man in Australia allegedly attempted to ride a southern right whale that had approached a beach, CNN reported last week. A photo taken by a witness will be used by police to find the whale-riding suspect. Australian law prohibits anyone from coming within 30 metres of southern right whales and places a $10,000 AUD fine for people who get too close. The southern right whale can reach 18 metres in length and weigh as much as 80 tonnes.

It’s hard not being president

HAITI: Popular musician Wyclef Jean was admitted to hospital last week suffering from stress and exhaustion, the BBC reported. The singer, who has been working on a new album, recently withdrew his candidacy for president of Haiti after failing to meet a residency requirement. A statement released by Jean’s family notes that the singer, who was born in Haiti, had been over-exerting himself since the earthquake that devastated that country in January. Mr. Jean has since returned home and hopes to return to work soon. His new album is expected to be released next year.