President Zuma takes aim at Sanral e-toll bills

From SA Press Association: President Jacob Zuma is concerned about incorrect billing by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) for e-tolls in Gauteng, SABC news reported. “We are often told electronic things don’t commit mistakes. I think it is unacceptable because it is causing an unnecessary problem,” he said in an interview. “You can’t … Read more

Feisty Malema lays into Zuma, ANC in Daveyton

From the SA Press Association: DAVEYTON – The current government was killing people just like the apartheid regime, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said on Sunday. Addressing hundreds of EFF supporters at an election campaign event at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg, Malema said the current government were using tactics reminiscent of … Read more

Platinum strikes: SA Govt puts mediation deal on table

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 2 (Reuters) – South African government mediators have put forward a proposal designed to end a strike that has hit around 40 percent of global platinum supply, they said at the weekend. It was not immediately clear what the proposal entails and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) declined to say what is in it. “The … Read more

After Moto, Lenovo looks to acquire Sony Vaio

TOKYO, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Japan’s Sony Corp and Chinese technology company Lenovo Group are in talks about a possible joint venture to take over Sony’s loss-making Vaio PC business overseas, Japanese broadcaster NHKreported on Saturday. The Japanese electronics and media giant called the report inaccurate while acknowledging that it was looking at various possibilities for the unit. “Sony continues to address various … Read more

Director Andrew Thompson first casualty of Adcock fight with Bidvest

Andrew Thompson, the independent director of Adcock Ingram who spearheaded the public campaign in favour of a deal with Chileans CFR, yesterday became the first casualty of Bidvest’s victory in the fight for the under-performing pharma group. Led by Bidvest, shareholders  also voted against the proposed remuneration policy for directors and executive management. According to … Read more

Irish bankers on trial: first case after banking crisis

From Reuters * 3 charged with providing unlawful financial assistance * Deep public anger with bankers after crash * Bank rescue forced Ireland into bailout Irish bankers on trial: first case after banking crisis By Sarah O’Connor DUBLIN, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Ireland put three former bankers on trial on Friday in its first such case since the financial … Read more

Britain’s FTSE100 falls on Diageo emerging market weakness

* FTSE 100 down 0.4 percent * Diageo knocked by bearish analyst comment * BT top riser as returns to revenue growth By Tricia Wright LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Britain’s top shares fell on Friday, weighed down by spirits company Diageo on bearish analyst comments. The company’s shares fell 1.7 percent, one of the … Read more

Santander: Profits up 90 percent for Europe’s bank giant

From Reuters * Santander 2013 net profit up 90.5 pct at 4.37 bln euros * Q4 2013 profit 1.06 bln eur, below forecasts * Net interest income up 0.12 pct in Q4 from Q3 * Shares up 0.5 percent midafternoon By Sarah White and Jesús Aguado MADRID, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Santander, the euro zone’s biggest bank, nearly doubled annual … Read more

Thousands of exotic reptiles found at OR Tambo

From SAPAAround 1600 neglected reptiles and amphibians were rescued from an OR Tambo International Aiport cargo building, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) said on Friday. NSPCA spokeswoman Ainsley Hay said the animals were discovered during a routine inspection on Wednesday. “The consignment, bound for the United States of America … Read more

Old Mutual bets big on East Africa: latest plans

NAIROBI, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Anglo-South African financial services group Old Mutual Plc plans to raise the share of profits generated by its African business to 15 percent by the end of next year from 10 percent at present, the firm said on Wednesday. The group has already spent a quarter of its $500 million kitty for investing … Read more