Cutting down baddies in video games used to be a lot easier - they'd just stand there, or they'd try moves that experienced players had seen time and time again. Now, however, new technology is making video game characters' artificial intelligence a little smarter. 15 Jul 2008
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) will convene a tripartite meeting in October to discuss the harmonisation of trade in the region. 15 Jul 2008
Hardware Warehouse (HWWH), a retailer of low-cost building materials, has acquired two new stores, bringing the chain's total to 16. The two new stores are in Queenstown and Gonubie. 15 Jul 2008
A leading clothing retailer has been found guilty of racism and will have to fork out thousands of rands in compensation to a disgruntled customer. 14 Jul 2008
NEWSWATCH: Food giant Heinz has announced it is dropping the word 'baked' from its canned beans, the UK's Telegraph reports. The actual product will, however, remain the same but cans will now be sporting the new title 'Heinz Beanz' on the labelling. 14 Jul 2008
Lauren Bloch and Daleen Atherton, the owners of the online wedding directory Wedding Secrets, recently launched Secret Gifts - an online gift registry offering upmarket gifts to the discerning customer. 14 Jul 2008
Snackworx, manufacturer of Bakers, Pyotts, Baumanns and Willards snack foods, recently announced that all of its biscuit and chip ranges are now being produced free of trans fatty acids. 14 Jul 2008
Women were more likely than men to file bankruptcy in 2007 according to research recently released by the Institute for Financial Literacy, a non-profit financial counselling and education organisation based in Portland, Maine, USA. 14 Jul 2008
Global Industry Analysts (GIA), USA-based research company, has released several research projects in the food and beverage space. Each report aims to provide comprehensive insight into the product's current market scenario, factors influencing the market, growth drivers, and major challenges. The reports also focus on recent research and development activities, and strategic corporate activity of major market participants. 14 Jul 2008
Despite progress made against key warranty chain improvement initiatives, service and warranty management executives still wrestle with post-sale customer satisfaction issues and escalating warranty costs. 14 Jul 2008
USA - A judge's ruling in the Viacom vs. YouTube case sets a new and permissive standard for parties seeking to get their hands on the data companies retain about their customers. While not a legal precedent, the ruling will serve as a reference in future cases, potentially laying bare the trail of search terms we all leave behind. 14 Jul 2008
Rising fuel prices drive consumer demand for oil-free packaging; new primo bottled water made from plants, not crude oil, expands distribution. 14 Jul 2008
Mass retailer Massmart, home to Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse, reports that sales in the 12 months to June had grown to R89,8bn, bolstered by an extra week in the year. 11 Jul 2008
USA - As an 11-year veteran of e-commerce, web design writer and home business expert, Dennis Gaskill, was used to seeing sales slow down in the weeks leading up to the tax filing deadline. At the time, he attributed his sluggish sales to consumer concern over rising oil prices and the overall economy. After a few more weeks of further declining sales, however, it became clear that this was more than a short-term fluctuation. 11 Jul 2008
Wine-searcher, one of the world's most used wine search engines, is launching its new Wine Market Intelligence Service in Auckland, New Zealand. 11 Jul 2008
In assessing the current economic outlook in SA, Business Unity South Africa (Busa) says that, while there are indisputable signs of a serious and rapid slowdown in economic and business activity in 2008, the overall growth outlook remains positive. 11 Jul 2008
Nando's, South Africa's iconic chicken brand, is celebrating its 21st birthday in style with the opening of its first restaurant on 819 7th Street Washington DC, USA. 11 Jul 2008
SWAP Mobile Payment Systems, a Pretoria-based company, has developed a mobile airtime solution that focuses on convenience and ease of use by allowing users to buy airtime vouchers direct from their phone with a credit card. With the use of USSD technology the call is free and vouchers for any of the major cellphone networks are available for purchase. 11 Jul 2008
The new Sony Ericsson F305 with Motion Gaming puts fun and entertainment at the heart of the mobile phone. In addition to horizontal gameplay and dedicated gaming controls, the F305 lets the user control the action with a swing or a swipe of the phone. 11 Jul 2008
The relatively new industry of Business Process Outsourcing and Offshoring (BPO&O) is expected to grow globally by 50% per annum over the next four years, generating a number of employment opportunities, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa said on Thursday, 10 July 2008. 11 Jul 2008
