Microsoft on Tuesday released new test versions of what company co-founder Bill Gates called its three most important products: Windows Vista for desktop computers, Windows for servers and the Office business software suite. The new beta products were unveiled at Microsoft’s annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference.
More than 100 people were feared dead on Wednesday as searchers recovered corpses from a sea of mud spawned by flash floods in northern Thailand, local officials said. Among the heaviest-hit areas was Lablae district of Uttaradit province, where dozens of houses were engulfed in mud.
Japan has finally emerged from the ”lost decade” of deflation and is set to continue on a path of robust growth, weathering an expected end to zero interest rates, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday. ”Japan has now exited from the period of deflation,” said the deputy director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific department.
Rebel leaders controlling half of the West African state of Côte d’Ivoire said on Tuesday their forces have begun pulling back from sections of the front line as agreed under an ongoing peace process. The military council of the New Forces rebels said earlier on Tuesday it is committed to ”applying peace accords in full”.
Zambia’s main opposition leader, Anderson Mazoka, has died in a South African hospital after suffering from prolonged kidney complications, his spokesperson announced on Wednesday. Mazoka (63) was admitted to Johannesburg’s Morningside hospital two weeks ago for his routine medical review and check-up.
An internet audio tape attributed to Osama bin Laden said on Tuesday that Zacarias Moussaoui — the only person convicted in the United States for the September 11 attacks — had nothing to do with the operation. ”He had no connection at all with September 11,” Bin Laden said.
The suspended head of the Southern Spears, Tony McKeever, wants his job to fight for the rights of the rugby franchise, the Herald Online reported on Wednesday. ”My suspension is illegal and needs to be withdrawn so that I can stand up for the rights of the franchise,” he said.
The new R55-million Baramall shopping centre was officially launched in Soweto on Wednesday. The centre is fully let and anchor tenants include Shoprite, OK Furnishers, Jet Stores, PEP Stores, Diskom and Dunns, while financial institutions include Absa, African Bank, First National Bank and Standard Bank.
South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Raymond Hack on Tuesday dismissed a ”hate campaign” to discredit him as ”mischievous and deceitful” — and said there is no substance to reports that there has been a petition from staff members calling for his dismissal.
Jack Nicklaus holds the record in major championships, one that might never be broken because it was established through decades of superior golf and a few good breaks. About the only player who has even a remote chance is Tiger Woods. This record is about playing, not winning.