Latest news and views in Brief
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s financial services regulator is investigating potential insider trading in shares of mid-cap technology firm Pinnacle Holdings, a senior official said on Tuesday. Solly Keetse, the head of the Department of Market Abuse at South Africa’s Financial Services Board, told Reuters the regulator had launched a formal investigation into “possible insider … Read more
April 25 (Reuters) – Amazon.com Inc’s shares dropped more than 9 percent in early trading, after analysts raised concerns about the high level of spending on technology, content and new warehouses. At least 13 analysts cut their price targets on the stock after the company reported the increase in spending that overshadowed better-than-expected quarterly revenue. … Read more
By Zandi Shabalala and David Dolan MARIKANA South Africa (Reuters) – After three months without pay, striking miner Jeffery Shipulale is ready to accept almost any offer from his employer, South African platinum producer Lonmin. “We will even accept 1,000 rand ($94). We are hungry, there is no money,” the Mozambican national told Reuters as … Read more
KINSHASA (Reuters) – At least 14 people died when a power cut caused a crush at a crowded music festival in Democratic Republic of Congo early on Friday, a local government spokesman said. The crush occurred in Kikwit, around 500 km (300 miles) from the capital Kinshasa, on the first night of a festival organised … Read more
By Stella Mapenzauswa JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African writer Hagen Engler is candid about the inner racist he had to exorcise during his progression from a carefree youth who reaped the benefits of white minority rule to a man who has lived for 20 years under a black government. The present-day Engler, his black wife … Read more
By Ed Stoddard JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Labour brought a machete to a gunfight with management in South Africa’s platinum belt. Small wonder it looks set to lose. South Africa’s big platinum strike has highlighted issues ranging from cash reserves to changing market dynamics that have curtailed labour’s ability to influence prices. The result has been to … Read more
From SAPA The U.N. mission in South Sudan says a convoy of barges it hired to deliver food aid and fuel came under attack by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, wounding four people, including U.N. peacekeepers. The attack on Thursday took place on the Nile River as the barges were traveling to the city of Malakal. South … Read more
* FTSE falls 0.3 pct on jitters over rising Ukraine tensions * William Hill, Pearson, WPP up after updates By Francesco Canepa LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) – Britain’s top share index retreated from seven-week highs on Friday as an escalation of tensions in Ukraine outweighed well-received updates from betting agency William Hill and media groups Pearson and WPP. Ukrainian forces killed as … Read more
KIEV, April 25 (Reuters) – Ukraine is pressing on with its operation against pro-Russian rebels in the east and has ample military resources to keep up the offensive round the clock, the interior minister said on Friday. Arsen Avakov dismissed talk that Kiev suspended its “anti-terrorist operation” (ATO) in the face of threats from Moscow … Read more
By Stefanie McIntyre HONG KONG (Reuters) – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has encouraged fans to be optimistic that the World Cup in Brazil will be a success, amid growing concerns over security and public unrest as workers scramble to finish stadiums on time. The Swiss said similar public scepticism had accompanied preparations for previous World … Read more