Just as the African National Congress has set up a commission to investigate hoax e-mails, a new e-mail scandal involving the Jewish Board of Deputies and the ANC has erupted. The board’s national director, Yehuda Kay, has stepped down over an e-mail he sent to the head of the ANC policy centre, Mandla Mabuza, which contained disparaging comments about Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.
Zimbabwe said Friday that its inflation rate has crossed the 1 000% threshold and is currently at 1 042,9%, one of the highest rates in the world. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono had predicted in January that inflation would recede to below 500% in June and decline to double digits next year.
Marcus Trescothick marked his return to international cricket with a hundred as England established a promising position on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. At stumps, England were 318-3, after a day where extraordinary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, in his first Test at Lord’s, had been the main brake on their progress.
By the time they run on to the field this weekend, the Bulls and Sharks will know either that it is too late or the exact size of the mountain they have to climb. It all depends on the Crusaders doing them a favour by thrashing the Brumbies. And so the Super 14 enters its final weekend of log play with the sounds of regret on the wind in Pretoria and Durban.
Academic and political commentator Sipho Seepe says he used to carry his kid brother, Jimmy, to kindergarten. This weekend, he will carry his coffin. Jimmy, <i>City Press</i>’s highly regarded political editor, died this week of a stroke at the relatively tender age of 41.
Critics have called for a restructuring of the Universal Service Agency (USA) following the resignation of CEO Sam Gulube this week, citing the Department of Communications parastatal’s inability to deliver affordable communication to under-serviced areas.
At least two people were killed and 21 injured on Friday when four blasts, described by police as "criminal acts", rocked Addis Ababa, the latest in a series of mystery explosions in the country. Two people died and seven were hurt, five seriously and two slightly, when a device exploded at a cafe in the capital’s north-west Mercato district.
The JSE was weaker in noon trade on Friday following a sell-off on world equity markets. The local bourse fared much better than its global counterparts, however, because a sharply weaker rand and higher precious metals prices limited its losses. By 11.55am, the all-share and all-share industrial indices shed 0,65% and 0,62% respectively.
What a crazy week in prospect. West Ham ready to lose hopelessly to a superior Liverpool in the FA Cup final on Saturday while Wembley lies unfinished. Arsenal ready to lose hopelessly to a superior Barcelona in Paris on Wednesday while their best player, Thierry Henry, considers a future in Catalan stripes.
Australia accused Japan and other pro-whaling nations on Thursday of recruiting poor countries to back their push for a resumption of commercial whaling at an international conference next month. Environment Minister Ian Campbell said he fears pro-whaling nations could get the numbers to push through their commercial goal at the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission.