No image available
/ 27 September 2004
The South African police and prosecution authorities on Monday denied arresting a man over the weekend in connection with an international investigation into Libya’s now abandoned nuclear weapons programme. Weekend reports said an engineer bearing dual Swiss/South African nationality was arrested in Cape Town. The man was suspected of selling nuclear equipment to Libya.
Swiss ‘nuke’ engineer arrested in Cape Town
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
They are to the Chinese what hot-cross buns are to Christians at Easter, but mooncakes, the salty-sweet confection eaten for centuries during the Mid-Autumn Festival, are getting a modern makeover. Traditional golden-brown mooncakes are made of heavy, sticky lotus-seed paste and contain whole egg-yolks in the middle.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
Five people were arrested in Vietnam after police stopped a bus carrying nearly half a tonne of endangered animals and animal parts, local police said on Monday. Traffic police in Nghe An province stopped a 24-seat passenger bus on Wednesday and found 14kg of bear paws, 227kg of live turtles, 44kg of live pythons, 12kg of stag antlers, and 100kg of unidentified animal bones.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was weaker at midday on Monday on the back of weaker world markets and a stronger rand. Banking group Absa continued to dominate trade after Thursday’s news that the United Kingdom-based Barclays was in talks to acquire a majority stake in it.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
The United Kingdom’s third biggest bank, Barclays, is remaining tight-lipped about any future plans it might have for Absa if it does acquire a controlling stake in the South African bank. Media fishing for further information on Monday were referred to a statement issued by Barclays on Thursday which stated that the process was at an early stage and was subject to due diligence.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
In these uncertain years at the beginning of the 21st century and Washington’s ”war on terror”, there are qualities middle America demands of a first lady, and Laura Bush seldom disappoints. Poise. Grace. Good manners. Good looks. Those are the admiring comments that follow the presidential spouse on the campaign trail.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
Saudi authorities do not know how to fine a Saudi restaurant owner who took advantage of an unclear employment law to employ two Saudi women, the London-based al-Hayat newspaper said on Monday. Restaurant owner Nabil Ramadan created a commotion last month in the quiet coastal city of Sihat in eastern Saudi Arabia when news spread that there were women working at his venue.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
The South African government has issued a statement playing down its stated readiness to serve as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. In a statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Department on Monday, it noted that on Friday South Africa announced its readiness to do so ”and thereby serve the people of Africa and the world”.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
Pope John Paul II on Sunday denounced the ”imbalance” between the world’s rich and poor and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent United Nations initiative to increase funds for development. On Monday, the presidents of Brazil and France encouraged 110 countries to back a new declaration to fight hunger and poverty and to increase funds for development.
No image available
/ 27 September 2004
Global diamond giant De Beers, which is 45% owned by Anglo American, is "cautiously optimistic" on its outlook for diamond jewellery sales after having benefited from estimated growth of 8% in world diamond jewellery sales in the first half of the year.