A post template

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

DA takes PetroSA to court over Oilgate

South Africa’s official opposition Democratic Alliance is taking the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA) to court because R11-million of taxpayers’ money has still not been accounted for relating to the Oilgate scandal, the party’s chief whip Douglas Gibson said on Thursday.

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

Vibrators fly off the shelves in Hong Kong pharmacies

With surveys showing Hong Kong men prefer work to sex, the city’s women are seeking help with their love life from a pharmacy chain that has begun stocking sex toys alongside soap and shampoo. Vibrators were a surprise hit at Watson’s chain of pharmacies and sex education officials were delighted, saying it could help the sexually repressed city come out of its shell.

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

JSE eases but gold shares shine

The JSE was in the red in noon trade on Thursday knocked by Wednesday’s weakness on United States markets. Resources — particularly gold — shares were stronger, however, due to higher commodity prices. By 11.58am, the all-share index slipped 0,3%. Industrials and financials fell 0,87% and 1,05%, however, and the banks index lost 1,41%.

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

Randgold booted off the Nasdaq

Randgold and Exploration, which has been suspended from the JSE pending the publication of its audited results, has now been thrown off the Nasdaq stock exchange. Randgold said that the publication of its audited results, originally targeted for September 30, 2005, would be further delayed.

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

Sony announces massive job cuts

Sony boss Howard Stringer, under pressure to reverse a slump at the electronics icon, announced 10 000 job cuts on Thursday but renewed his vision of the group as an electronics-to-entertainment colossus. Sony also issued its second profit warning this year, forecasting a net loss of 10-billion yen (-million).

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

Fewer British troops in Basra after threat

British troops in Basra, Iraq, greatly reduced their presence in the streets on Thursday, apparently responding to a call from the provincial governor to severe cooperation until London apologises for storming a police station to free two of its soldiers. In New York, Iraq’s minister of foreign affairs said insurgents are likely to step up attacks.

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

Private search starts for missing yacht

A private air search for the missing Durban yacht Moquini, which disappeared while taking part in the Mauritius-to-Durban yacht race last week, will start on Thursday. The search by a C130 Hercules air-force aircraft that had been looking for the yacht since last week was suspended on Tuesday.

No image available
/ 22 September 2005

Pepper spray ad withdrawn after protest

An Indian newspaper advertisement that suggested parents would be blamed if they failed to buy pepper spray to deter rape attacks on their daughters was withdrawn on Thursday after a women’s group protest. The advertisement in several daily newspapers for Knockout pepper spray asked readers: "Tomorrow if your daughter gets raped who is to be blamed? The rapist or you?" and recommended the spray as a deterrent.