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Legal

Here's to a great 2014

2013 ended sadly, with Madiba's passing, but that means that we can now go into 2014 with the hope that this year will be better than the last.

We in the media have the Protection of State Information Bill hanging over us; Jacob Zuma has only to sign it into law, but that in itself will, we're sure, provide for some very interesting times this year and possibly into the future, because it is almost certain that the law will be challenged, right up to the Constitutional Court.

South Africa is fortunate in having a vibrant and independent media (apart from some notable exceptions) and that should ensure that any government hoping to hide the truth will face a long, hard battle.

So let's head into 2014 in a positive frame of mind - even if in years to come, some may look back on them as "the bad old days".

Today sees the first of our newsletters for 2014 and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all... for your past and, we hope, on-going support, and for your selection of this company - Bizcommunity.com - as your media vehicle of choice to get your news and opinions to your target audience.

To you all, all the very best for a prosperous and successful 2014.

Rod Baker, Content Director

Comment online in our ed's column archive. Go mobile with apps and m.bizcommunity.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. Subscribe to YouTube and via RSS. Send all your industry-specific news and event invitations to legalnews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-legal@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com. Read "How to contribute to Biz, from op-ed pieces to news".



Weekly top stories
Thuli gives 'pilgrims' a lifeline
Business owners will rely on the public protector's scathing report on the Mpumalanga municipality of Pilgrim's Rest to back their claims that they were wrongfully served eviction notices in June 2012 to make way for people who were illegally given shop leases. Read more >>


Commercial Law
ConCourt judgment: Competition Commission v Pioneer and Others

Lerisha Naidu and Samantha Brener

On 18 December 2013, the Constitutional Court ("Court") handed down a unanimous judgment dealing with an adverse costs order furnished by the Competition Appeal Court ("CAC") against the Competition Commission ("Commission"). The Commission applied to the Court to have the costs order against it set aside. Read more >>

Blackberry sues company for violating keyboard patent
MONTREAL, CANADA: Blackberry filed a legal action in a California court against Los Angeles firm Typo Products for violating its patents using a Blackberry-like keyboard made for Apple's iPhone. Read more >>

Apple asks US court to ban Samsung phones, tablets
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: - Apple has asked a federal judge to bar US sales of Samsung smartphones and tablet computers in the blockbuster patent case involving the two electronics companies. Read more >>

Criminal Law
Booze major killer on South African roads

Pearlie Joubert

The latest research from the Medical Research Council's survey shows that drunk drivers remain a leading cause of death on South Africa's roads. Read more >>

Africa a booming market for stolen cars
ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE: If luxury cars have become a more common sight on African roads that is in part because it is a primary destination for cars stolen from Europe's streets. Read more >>

New Year brings renewed opposition to e-tolling

Nicky Smith

The scene is set for a major battle between civil society groups‚ private citizens and the state in the coming months‚ with temperatures already running hot during the normally sleepy holiday season over unpopular e-tolls. Read more >>

Top India Bitcoin operator halts trade after bank warning
NEW DELHI, INDIA: India's biggest Bitcoin trading platform said on its website Friday it had suspended operations after the central bank warned against the risks of using virtual money. Read more >>

Cyber Law
Saudi sentenced to jail, lashes over Twitter libel: report
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: A Saudi court has sentenced a man convicted of defaming a Kuwaiti singer by accusing her on Twitter of adultery to three months in jail and 80 lashes, a news website reported on Thursday. Read more >>

New York Times, Guardian call for Snowden clemency
WASHINGTON, USA: The New York Times and Guardian newspapers have called for clemency for US whistle-blower Edward Snowden for his revelations on US government spying. Read more >>

70 journalists killed in 2013
Syria, Iraq, Egypt most deadly nations for journalists. In South Africa, as and when the contraversial POIB becomes law, journalists could face very stiff penalties. Read more >>

Taiwan's HTC designer indicted for leaks to China
TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Taiwanese prosecutors on Friday indicted a chief designer and five employees at leading smartphone maker HTC for allegedly leaking crucial trade secrets to China and breach of trust. Read more >>

UN urges Thailand to drop charges against website
BANGKOK, THAILAND: The United Nations has urged Thailand to drop defamation charges against two Australian and Thai journalists for a report alleging military involvement in people smuggling, warning of a "chilling effect" on press freedom. Read more >>


All industry news


Marketing & Media
Countdown begins to Cape Town... World Design Capital 2014
Mxit Brand Index: 31 December 2013

Medical
Want to give up smoking? Here are five ways to do just that

Rod Baker

Adult stem cells found to suppress cancer while dormant
Laboratory study confirms target of potent chronic leukaemia drug

Retail
Slow profit growth cools appetite for retail stocks
Retail's stellar climb runs out of steam in 2013

Zeenat Moorad

Sony Mobile's Xperia Z1 Compact enters market

Government
City staff blamed for bad books

Olebogeng Molatlhwa

SGBs: 'Quality of education system has stabilised'
Sisulu declares 2014 year of excellence in public service

Mining
Miners work overtime to raise funding over festive season

Brendan Ryan

Kumba, Anglo 'looking to build organically' in Gabon

Allan Seccombe


CSI
Vodacom lends a hand to St Clement's Home Based Care Project
Nordex focuses on wellbeing, education

Finance
Slow profit growth cools appetite for retail stocks

Zeenat Moorad


Agriculture
General Mills pledges GMO-free Cheerios
Local grains rise on weaker rand
Zimbabwe imports maize to stave off hunger

Arts
SA Creatives wins 2013 blog of the year award
Popular street soirees returns to Stellenbosch

Building
Rehabilitation of major Mpuma road on the cards

Adele du Toit


Environment
Pollution affects the Olifants River in KNP
China city caps car-buying to curb pollution
'Live animals horns hacked'

Lucas Ledwaba


HR & Recruitment
Zuma rejects salary sliding scale recommendation

Linda Ensor

Zimbabwe to introduce New Year ban on foreign owners

Manufacturing
Eskom building programme builds skills

Property
Increasing demand for industrial space
Flurry of property listings sets up consolidation in 2014

Alistair Anderson


Security
We will honour military veterans - Zuma
Violence grows in Central African Republic - UN

Education
Wits launches Equality Scholarships

Tourism
Over 4m travellers for SA in December
Clico... a rose by any other name...

Brian Berkman

Beit Bridge border traffic swells

Ray Ndlovu


ICT
2014 predictions for the broadcast industry

David Hochner

Critical tools for supporting the mobile enterprise of the future

Russel Brand


Maritime
Intl exchange programme for the maritime industry

Sport
Capetonians join 2014 CHAN volunteer programme
Kenya misses out on CHAN 2014
VfB Stuttgart holds 2014 training camp in Cape Town

Logistics
New low-cost carriers portend a busy year for SA aviation

Nicky Smith


Lifestyle
Best Dressed Man added to L'Ormarins fashion list

Automotive
Blackest festive season in SA history

Henrie Geyser: motoring editor

More pain at pumps for motorists in 2014
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