North Korea called United States Vice-President Dick Cheney a ”bloodthirsty beast” and said on Thursday his recent remarks labelling its ruler Kim Jong Il irresponsible are another reason for it to stay away from six-nation nuclear disarmament talks. Nearly a year since the last session of the talks, North Korea has refused to return to the table.
A three-storey building, still under construction, collapsed in Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta on Thursday, killing three workers and a food vendor. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Thursday as the workers were preparing to resume the day’s work, police spokesperson Thelma Fiberesua said in Port Harcourt.
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Deputy President Jacob Zuma must have been aware of bribes sought by Durban businessman Schabir Shaik on his behalf, High Court Judge Hillary Squires said as he convicted Shaik on two charges of corruption and one of fraud on Thursday.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s three-party coalition formally withdrew legislation for ratifying the treaty on the new European Union Constitution in Parliament on Thursday, a day after the electorate resoundingly rejected the Constitution in a referendum.
A fire injured four people at oil and chemicals group Sasol’s Sasolburg plant on Thursday morning. The four have since been treated at the group’s on-site medical centre and discharged, Sasol spokesperson Johann van Rheede said on Thursday. Earlier, trade union Solidarity claimed an explosion had caused the four people’s injuries.
M-Net’s open-time window will close in April 2007, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) ruled on Thursday. It ruled in favour of closing the open-time window, saying this is in line with a policy framework set out in its position paper on subscription services.
House prices increased by 22,5% for the 12 months to May this year, with the average home costing R678 800, Absa said on Thursday. Absa economist Jacques du Toit said Absa predicts growth in house prices of between 15% and 20% for 2005, compared with growth of about 32% in 2004.
Black economic empowerment company African Renaissance Holdings has joined forces with the South African Grand Prix Bid Company in its initiative to apply for a licence to stage the formula-one grand prix in South Africa. Bid company chief executive Dave Gant has recently returned from meetings with formula-one boss Bernie Ecclestone in London.
Justine Henin-Hardenne’s impressive recovery from illness and injury continued on Thursday when a 6-2, 6-3 win over outclassed Russian Nadia Petrova put her within touching distance of a second French Open title. For the Belgian 10th seed, the 2003 champion, it was her 23rd successive win.
Police have warned bank customers on the East Rand to be cautious after two people were duped out of their cash by fake police officers on Wednesday. Superintendent Andy Pieke on Thursday said a man and a woman were approached outside banks in Alberton and Germiston by bogus police officers.