In Mexico they can’t get enough of telenovellas, in China it’s the weather forecast, but around the globe the biggest audiences tune in to reality TV and football.
The release of Apple’s much-ballyhooed iPhone on Friday is expected to give a boost to the emerging market for multipurpose cellphones and possibly even help rival ”smartphone” devices. The global market for smartphones will this year reach 10% of the one billion cellphones sold worldwide according to analyst firms Canalys and IDC.
The JSE was firmer in the morning, but started retracing at about midday on Friday. However, traders expect the market to strengthen near the day’s close. At noon, the all-share index was down 0,69%. Resources weakened 0,99%, while gold and platinum indices fell 1,15% and 1,52 % respectively.
Facing stirrings of Republican revolt over Iraq and domestic policy disappointment, United States President George Bush can at least point to the Supreme Court for an enduring legacy. The US’s ultimate constitutional arbiter has tilted rightwards under Bush — a shift that could endure for decades.
Disgraced Israeli President Moshe Katsav on Friday submitted his resignation, one day after he signed a controversial plea bargain that will see him convicted of sexual offences, an adviser said. Katsav temporarily suspended himself from duty in January in the wake of the investigation.
President Robert Mugabe’s new push to get tough on the economy may bring short-term political benefits but is likely to leave Zimbabwe in even worse straits as its economic infrastructure collapses. Mugabe this week warned that he was ready to nationalise firms accused of ”dirty tricks” against his rule.
Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, is the world’s fastest growing major city, drawing 300 000 to 400 000 mostly poor migrants annually, a World Bank study said. These migrants provide critical manpower for the city’s industries and services, but also put pressure on the city’s infrastructure, public services and habitable land, said the report.
DVD ROUNDUP: Martin Scorsese’s <i>The Departed</i> leads the pack of recent DVD releases, writes Shaun de Waal.
An excitement among audiences about local themes is giving impetus to a vital writing culture, writes Gabeba Baderoon.
South African students of dance got a boost this week when they collaborated with one of Europe’s great dance companies, writes Matthew Krouse.