Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox gaming console will be more of a digital entertainment hub than its predecessor, making it even more of a PC hybrid than ever, Bill Gates has told a meeting of business journalists. The console, code-named Xenon, is due to be previewed on the music cable channel MTV later this month.
Iran is still considering buying up the bankrupt British car manufacturer MG Rover, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. ”Negotiations are under way by the industry ministry to see if a deal is in our economic interests. Nothing is definite,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters.
The resignation of a senior council member of the Durban Institute of Technology (DIT) has exposed the infighting and mismanagement behind one of the supposed success stories of the vexed tertiary merger process. The DIT was formed out of the merger of the Natal and ML Sultan technikons more than three years ago, but sources suggest the new institution remains deeply divided.
Energy giant Royal Dutch/Shell on Tuesday announced a long-term deal with Libya to explore for gas in the North African country. The deal follows an agreement between Shell and the Libyan government 13 months ago to establish a long-term strategic partnership following the state’s return from an international wilderness.
Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the second spot on the log when they beat struggling Wits University 3-2 in a lively Castle Premier League encounter on Monday. Also, Black Leopards beat Manning Rangers, Lamontville Golden Arrows shared the spoils with Silver Stars and Moroka Swallows defeated Bloemfontein Celtic.
Andy Roddick is taking a new, lighter approach to the clay-court season. After eliminating Greg Rusedski 6-4, 6-2 on Monday in the first round of the Italian Open, top-seeded Roddick said he has lost 2,25kg off his 1,88m frame. Sixth-seeded Andre Agassi, winner of the Rome title in 2002, beat Italian wild card Alessio di Mauro 7-5, 6-2.
The JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) was up almost 1% at midday on Tuesday, boosted by a strong close on Wall Street overnight and a slightly weaker rand. However, gold counters were under pressure from the weaker bullion price. By noon, the all-share index was up 0,95% and the all-share industrial index added 0,72%.
Arsenal maintained their grip on second place and a direct entry into the Champions League proper with a 2-0 win away to West Brom that left Bryan Robson’s relegation-threatened team second from bottom in the Premiership. West Brom, who like the rest of the bottom four have two matches left, stayed on 30 points.
South Africa football great Lucas Radebe is pondering a move into coaching with Leeds United after being approached by manager Kevin Blackwell. The 36-year-old former Bafana Bafana captain has spent the past 11 years at Leeds, now in the second tier of English football, but is set to retire at the end of the season following an Achilles tendon injury.
The prosecutor at the war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone on Monday accused former Liberian president Charles Taylor of backing a January assassination bid against his longtime adversary Lansana Conte, President of Guinea. Taylor was granted asylum in Nigeria in August 2003 after stepping down to end a seven-year civil war in Liberia.