The US unemployment rate fell sharply in August, as some firms began to hire new staff again and temporary hiring for the US census boosted job numbers. Firms added 1.4 million new jobs and unemployment fell below 10% for the first time since the pandemic began. It is the fourth month in a row that…
China is celebrating the successful launch and return of a reusable spacecraft which reportedly orbited Earth for two days before safely returning to the ground. The launch and landing “marked an important breakthrough in my country’s technology research on reusable spacecraft”, said the government-run Xinhua news agency. There are very few details available about the…
SOUTH African consumer confidence remained at an almost three-decade low in the third quarter even after a partial recovery as restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic were gradually eased. A quarterly index measuring sentiment rose to -23 from -33 in the three months through June, FirstRand Ltd.’s First National Bank said…
A South African who was thought to be the oldest man in the world has died at the age of 116. Fredie Blom’s identity documents showed he was born in Eastern Cape province in May 1904, although that was never verified by Guinness World Records. When he was a teenager, his entire family was wiped…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidance saying children over the age of 12 should wear masks, in line with recommended practice for adults in their country or area. It admits little is known about how children transmit the virus but cites evidence that teenagers can infect others in the same way as adults….
Thousands have taken to the streets of Mali’s capital to celebrate the coup against Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. Coup leaders arrested Mr Keïta on Tuesday and forced him to resign, sparking global condemnation. But Mr Keïta was facing huge street protests before his arrest and many in Mali have welcomed his removal. Thousands gathered in Bamako’s…
South Africa’s Cell C said on Friday it expects to close around 128 stores across the country, with 546 jobs on the line as the mobile operator moves to cut costs and restructure its operations. “The retail environment has changed and this has been fast-tracked by the impact of COVID-19 and the evolving purchasing habits…
Alibaba has moved to ease tensions with Donald Trump, as the US president continues to threaten Chinese firms. Chief executive Daniel Zhang said the online retailer’s policies “support American brands, retailers, small businesses and farmers”. The comments came as the tech giant announced a better-than-expected jump in quarterly sales. Meanwhile Mr Trump has promised to…
South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have surpassed 600,000, the health ministry said on Friday, although the number of new cases has been declining since a peak in July. Despite imposing one of the world’s toughest lockdowns at the end of March when the country had only a few hundred cases, South Africa saw a surge…
California is struggling to contain huge wildfires burning forests and homes warned Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday as more than 12,000 fire-fighters battle the blazes that have killed six people. Help is on its way from several US states as Gov Newsom put in a plea for assistance from Australia and Canada. “These fires are…
