Staff Reporter
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/ 23 October 2007

Mauritius aims to become ICT hub

Mauritius wants to turn its economy into a regional information and communications technology (ICT) hub in the next few years, according to an official national strategic plan. Targets in the 2007 to 2011 plan include ”a 7% contribution into Mauritius gross domestic product from offshore ICT export services”.

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/ 23 October 2007

Lucky Dube fans pour hearts out on blog

After the death of South African reggae legend Lucky Dube last week in an apparent hijacking attempt in Johannesburg, much was said about the singer’s worldwide appeal — and a flood of responses to a blog on the <i>Mail & Guardian Online</i>’s <i>Thought Leader</i> website was further proof of his star quality.

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/ 23 October 2007

HSRC reports highest financial turnover

Partly due to an increased allocation from the government, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has achieved the highest financial turnover, R247,8-million, in its history, the council’s CEO said on Tuesday. Dr Olive Shisana was addressing the launch of the HSRC’s 2006/07 Annual Report in Pretoria.

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/ 23 October 2007

Caution against quotas in sport

The South African Institute of Race Relations has cautioned against calls to apply quotas and similar measures in order to rapidly transform the Springbok rugby team. The institute said that it was ”encouraging” to see black and white South Africans being united around a common cause.

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/ 23 October 2007

Troubled energy giant BP rocked by profits slump

British energy giant BP, reeling from fatal safety errors and a boardroom scandal, said on Tuesday that third-quarter profits slumped owing to lower output, weak United States gas prices and refinery outages. Net profit on a replacement-cost basis plunged 44,5% from a year earlier to $3,87-billion in the three months to September.

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/ 23 October 2007

SA to send security official to Karachi

South Africa will send a top security consultant to Karachi to decide whether it is safe to play the fifth and final one-day international there next week. Pakistani officials said South Africa were uncertain about going ahead with the game following Friday’s assassination attempt on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, which killed 139 of her supporters.

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/ 23 October 2007

JSE stays firm after Wall Street rally

The JSE remained firm at noon on Tuesday, spurred by Wall Street’s overnight rebound and firmer European markets as risk aversion eased. Miners lifted the main index, buoyed by a recovery in commodities prices as metals investors chased after bargains following Monday’s sharp losses, while a slight weakness in the dollar added to the upbeat mood in the metals complex.

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/ 23 October 2007

Australian PM takes walks on the wild side

A looming election has turned Australian Prime Minister John Howard’s traditional morning stroll into a walk on the wild side. Television satirists have popped up in his path dressed as rabbits and worms — both well-known political creatures here — while ordinary passers-by have taken to hurling insults at him.