The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was in positive territory in noon trade on Thursday after bargain hunters, encouraged by the Dow’s rebound late on Wednesday, returned to the market after its recent sell-off. A softer rand also helped the local bourse.
Three Palestinians were killed on Thursday in a fresh Israeli helicopter raid on the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Palestinian medical sources said. Two missiles were fired in the raid, which also left 15 people wounded, said Rafah hospital director Ali Mussa.
Gaza death toll mounts
South African London-listed information technology group Dimension Data (Didata) on Wednesday reported a return to profitability, after two reporting periods of losses. The group reported interim basic earnings per share of 0,1 US cents for the six months to March 31, 2004, up from a 2,2 US cents loss in the previous comparative period.
Botswana has said that criticism of its policy of routine HIV testing for people using public health services is hindering treatment efforts.
A magistrate rejected a defence motion on Wednesday to free 70 alleged mercenaries accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the government in Equatorial Guinea. Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said there was reasonable suspicion against the men and ordered them to appear before him again on May 26.
Late pop diva Brenda Fassie’s funeral scheduled for Sunday has been postponed by a week, the organisers said on Wednesday. Fassie’s manager Peter Snyman said this was done to enable members of the 2010 World Cup Soccer bid, including President Thabo Mbeki, to attend the event.
A huge increase in cigarette tax and a ban on smoking in bars in New York has cut the number of adult smokers by 100 000, according to city surveys released on Wednesday. From 2002 to 2003 the number of adult smokers fell by 11%. Meanwhile those who did not quit, smoked 13% less.
South African internet service provider DataPro on Thursday announced a major drive to identify and court enterprises within the small, medium and micro enterprises sector. It regards this sector as vital to the company’s growth and an important secondary market.
South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has launched the government’s Domestic Tourism Growth Strategy, a three-year plan aimed at encouraging South Africans to travel more frequently in their own country. The strategy was unveiled at the Tourism Indaba 2004 in Durban this week.
At least 64 opposition supporters have been arrested this week in Zimbabwe’s western region of Lupane ahead of legislative by-elections at the weekend, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said on Wednesday.