The JSE was firmer at midday on Tuesday, boosted by a turnaround in Asian stocks, but overall trading volumes were low ahead of the decision on interest rates later this week. At 12pm, the all-share index was up 0,57%. Resources added 0,91%, the platinum-mining index firmed 0,91%, but the gold-mining index shed 0,16%.
Zimbabwe on Tuesday raised electricity tariffs by more than 50% as it battles worsening power shortages in the country and a vicious inflation spiral which has increased economic hardships. Zimbabwe — which has been grappling with chronic power shortages over the last two years — has suffered severe blackouts in the last few days.
Lleyton Hewitt set his sights on Wimbledon on Tuesday while insisting that not even Roger Federer can stop Rafael Nadal’s ruthless assault on a third successive French Open title. ”I think he’s going to be tough to beat,” said Hewitt after his demoralising 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) fourth round defeat.
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A South African court on Tuesday granted the state permission to obtain documents from Mauritius which prosecutors want for a possible new corruption case against ex-deputy president Jacob Zuma. The Durban High Court decision could be a blow to the resilient and controversial politician.
The Indian cricket board short-listed South Africa’s Graham Ford on Monday for the job of national coach and eliminated Australian Dav Whatmore from contention. A board official said the former South Africa coach and another unidentified candidate would be called to meet its coaching committee on Saturday.
Nigeria filed new charges against Pfizer on Monday, seeking ,95-billion over the deaths of children who received an unapproved drug during a meningitis epidemic. The suit came after a separate court delayed two cases in which Pfizer is accused by the state of Kano of harming Nigerian children by testing them with the antibiotic Trovan in 1996.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is allowed to retrieve documents from Mauritius that relate to Jacob Zuma’s alleged role in the multibillion-rand arms deal. Judge Jan Hugo of the Durban High Court gave his ruling on Tuesday granting the NPA permission to continue to proceed with a letter of authorisation.
United States Democratic Representative William Jefferson, accused of hiding 000 of intended bribes in his freezer, was charged on Monday with soliciting bribes and paying off a Nigerian official. Jefferson (63) a member of Congress since 199, faces a maximum of 235 years in prison if convicted.
Just in case anyone should desire such a thing, a South Korean firm has filed a patent in the United States for a musical washing machine. The design for a machine with a built-in MP-3 player and speakers "is just a concept art but we have the technology to produce a washing machine that makes little noise", LG Electronics spokesperson Kim Hyung-Jong said.
Australian protesters held a ”picnic rally” against the logging of native forests while hundreds of Indian policemen swapped guns for spades on Tuesday to highlight World Environment Day. Across Asia, people learned about worm farming and listened to lectures about renewable energy.