Botswana to host next SADC meet
PORT LOUIS: Botswana will host the next Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in 2005. President Festus Mogae, who was elected as deputy chairman of SADC, will be the host. At the just ended two-day annual summit, regional leaders discussed issues such as regional integration, poverty reduction, food security and HIV/AIDS control.

Oil giant Yukos loses tax appeal
RUSSIAN oil company Yukos has lost an appeal for more time to pay a $3.4bn (about P15,3 bn) tax bill. The company asked the Moscow Arbitration Court to suspend an order forcing it to pay the back taxes for 2000 by the end of August. Bailiffs are already taking money from Yukos accounts, raising fears that the company may have to stop pumping oil. The bailiffs’ action makes it unclear how the company can continue to pay its operating costs.