Tokyo shares drop to a two-month low on Iraq concerns

Tokyo stocks slumped 2.98 percent to a two-month low on Friday as investors reacted to US President Barack Obama’s announcement that he had authorised air strikes on Iraq. The Nikkei 225 index fell 454.00 points to close at 14,778.37, the lowest since late May, as Obama’s comments sparked a sharp uptick in the yen, which … Read more

Arthritis: Swiss scientists see the cure in mice, human trials to start soon

From Agence France-Presse – Swiss researchers say they have taken an important step towards a cure for arthritis,  successfully testing a prototype treatment in mice that may soon be trialled on humans. The experimental drug “fully cured” arthritic mice who had hobbled on inflamed and swollen toes and paws, scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute … Read more

Anti-fracking lobby meets Government

Having suggested a fortnight ago that the time was ripe for the anti-fracking lobby and SA Government to seek common ground on the environmentally sensitive shale mining issue, BizNews is pleased to run this SAPA story on yesterday’s meeting between the Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) – the most vociferous anti-group – and the Mineral … Read more

‘Blackface’ students kicked out of residence

Two white students photographed in domestic worker outfits and smeared with black paint have been kicked out of their campus residence, the University of Pretoria (UP) said on Thursday. “They were expelled from the residence but not from university,” UP spokeswoman Nicolize Mulder said. They are accused of bringing the name of the university into … Read more

Bob Skinstad on reboosting Sharp with Seartec in SA

Not all sportsmen make the transition from success on the field to success in business, in fact, it is something of a rarity. One exception is Bob Skinstad, the  former rugby hero and South African heart-throb is now the Chief Marketing Office of Seartec. Bob and CEO of Seartec, Mark McChlery joined Alec Hogg on … Read more

Emotional Mashaba bid farewell to under-20s

An emotional Shakes Mashaba bid farewell to the South African under-20 team on Wednesday, after arriving back in the country for the first time since his appointment as coach of Bafana Bafana. Mashaba, who accompanied Amajita on his final tour as coach of the junior national side, had to wipe away the tears as he … Read more

Xavi, architect of Spanish success, quits team

BARCELONA (Reuters) – Spain midfielder Xavi, one of the most decorated footballers of all time who defined the nation’s spectacularly successful ‘tiki-taka’ possession-based playing style, has retired from internationals at the age of 34. The Barcelona player represented his country 133 times, a record for an outfield player and only bettered by goalkeeper and captain … Read more

Fiat shareholders give green light for Chrysler merge

* Merger key to U.S. listing, capital raising * Vote seals politically sensitive move of HQ from Italy * Merger could still fail if enough execute exit rights (Adds details on exit rights) By Agnieszka Flak TURIN, Italy, Aug 1 (Reuters) – Fiat shareholders approved the Italian carmaker’s merger with its U.S. unit Chrysler on … Read more

Nasri set to retire from international football

Manchester City’s France midfielder Samir Nasri on Monday indicated that he has decided to quit international football. The 27-year-old has endured a fractious relationship with his national team and was left out of the squad for this year’s World Cup in Brazil by France coach Didier Deschamps. “I’ve made the decision. I made it a … Read more

United in a R36 million sponsorship deal

Maritzburg United has received a massive financial boost following the signing of a three-year sponsorship deal with the City of Pietermaritzburg, both parties announced on Monday. The Premiership club signed a three-year deal worth R12 million per year and R36m in total with the Msunduzi Municipality. “For a municipality to partner with a professional team … Read more