All Sections & Categories Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:46:36 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709244/news-analysis/whitney-houston-cracks-in-her-voice-51709244.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="images/stories/whitney_houston_resized.jpg" alt="Whitney Houston/ REUTERS" width="210" height="90" />African-American singer, Whitney Houston's life was marked by success of cosmic proportions before her decline into abysmal depths. Nonetheless, she will remain one of the most memorable figures in the world's recent history.</p> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/east-horn-africa/40-countries-to-map-somalia’s-future-51709302.html <p><strong><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/somaliaxxx.jpg" alt="Map of Somalia" class="caption" height="90" width="210" /></strong>After 20 years of lawlessness, violence and chaos in Somalia, representatives from 40 countries are meeting in London on Thursday to help the Horn of Africa country to return to rule of law.</p> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:09:31 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709304/reuters-feed/mozambique-to-start-work-on-nacala-coal-terminal-pm-51709304.html February 23, 2012, 11:30 am<br/><br/><p> TOKYO (Reuters) - Mozambique expects construction of a coal terminal to start in the next few months at the northern port of Nacala, with the aim of having it operational in two to three years, Prime Minister Aires Aly said in Tokyo on Thursday. "We need to have i... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:20:51 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709300/reuters-feed/ftse-pushes-higher-rbs-rally-leads-firm-banks-51709300.html February 23, 2012, 10:40 am<br/><br/><p> By Jon Hopkins LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's leading share index pushed higher in early trade on Thursday, led by a rally in banking stocks headed by Royal Bank of Scotland after the lender's in-line full-year results offered hard-pressed sector investors some reli... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:30:51 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709296/reuters-feed/telecom-egypt-sees-flat-revenue-in-2012-51709296.html February 23, 2012, 10:30 am<br/><br/><p> CAIRO (Reuters) - Landline monopoly Telecom Egypt expects its revenues to be little changed in 2012 and aims to maintain profitability at a level similar to last year as it continues a cost-cutting programme, its finance chief said. The company earlier reported a ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:20:52 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709298/reuters-feed/telecom-egypt-sees-flat-revenue-in-2012-51709298.html February 23, 2012, 10:30 am<br/><br/><p> CAIRO (Reuters) - Landline monopoly Telecom Egypt expects its revenues to be little changed in 2012 and aims to maintain profitability at a level similar to last year as it continues a cost-cutting programme, its finance chief said. The company earlier reported a ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:20:52 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709288/reuters-feed/zambia-inflation-at-lowest-in-at-least-10-years-51709288.html February 23, 2012, 10:20 am<br/><br/><p> LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia's inflation slowed to its lowest rate in at least 10 years this month, to 6.0 percent year-on-year from 6.4 percent in January mainly due to food costs, the Central Statistics Office said on Thursday. Zambia's inflation has been on a decl... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:10:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709290/reuters-feed/kenya-power-rated-long-term-buy-by-kestrel-51709290.html February 23, 2012, 10:20 am<br/><br/><p> NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kestrel Capital said it has maintained a 'long-term buy' rating on Kenya Power and put a fair value of 22 shillings on the power supplier's shares. Kenya Power shares were trading at 16.50 shillings at 0834 GMT on Thursday, up 3.1 percent. ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:10:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709292/reuters-feed/avocet-mining-2011-profit-jumps-positive-on-guinea-51709292.html February 23, 2012, 10:20 am<br/><br/><p> LONDON (Reuters) - Avocet Mining said full-year profit more than tripled to $115.1 million, boosted by gains from the sale of its South East Asian assets as the gold miner turns its focus exclusively to its West African projects. Excluding exceptional items, which... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:10:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709294/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-top-two-banks-see-double-digit-profit-growth-51709294.html February 23, 2012, 10:20 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's top two lenders said on Thursday they expected profits to rise by around 20 percent, the latest sign banks in Africa's largest economy are back on the road to recovery after a 2009 recession suppressed credit demand. Standar... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:10:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709286/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-mondi-fy-profit-jumps-49-pct-51709286.html February 23, 2012, 9:00 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African paper maker Mondi reported a 49 percent rise in full-year profit on Thursday, buoyed by recovering demand and said it would hike its dividend. Mondi, which is also listed in London, said headline EPS totalled 69.9 euro cents i... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:50:52 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709282/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-mondi-fy-profit-jumps-51709282.html February 23, 2012, 8:40 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African paper maker Mondi reported a 49 percent rise in full-year profit on Thursday, buoyed by recovering demand and said it would hike its dividend. Mondi said headline EPS totalled 69.9 euro cents in the year to end-December compar... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:30:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709284/reuters-feed/telecom-egypt-says-2011-net-declines-6.8-pct-51709284.html February 23, 2012, 8:40 am<br/><br/><p> CAIRO (Reuters) - Landline monopoly Telecom Egypt said on Thursday its 2011 net profit fell 6.8 percent year on year to 2.93 billion Egyptian pounds. The company made a net profit of 3.14 billion pounds in 2010. Revenue dipped 3.2 pe... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:30:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709280/reuters-feed/s.africa-bonds-extend-losses-market-doubt-budget-targets-51709280.html February 23, 2012, 8:00 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African government bonds extended losses on Thursday as the market doubted that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's narrower budget deficit forecasts were achievable. The rand was slightly firmer but has been trapped in ranges, lacking ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:50:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709278/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-standard-bank-sees-fy-profit-up-22-pct-51709278.html February 23, 2012, 7:50 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Standard Bank Group Ltd, Africa's biggest lender by assets, said on Thursday full-year profit probably rose as much as 22 percent, largely in line with analysts' forecasts. Standard Bank said diluted headline EPS likely grew by between 18 a... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:40:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709276/reuters-feed/kenya-s-nic-bank-2011-profit-up-eyes-rights-issue-51709276.html February 23, 2012, 7:40 am<br/><br/><p> NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's NIC Bank on Thursday posted a 38 percent rise in full-year pretax profit to 3.6 billion shillings and said it planned to raise cash through a rights issue and would also expand in neighbouring Uganda. Ranked in the second tier of Kenyan ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:30:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709274/reuters-feed/yen-edges-up-but-stuck-near-7-month-low-vs-dollar-51709274.html February 23, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> By Masayuki Kitano SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The yen edged up versus the dollar on Thursday but still hovered close to a 7-month low, with the dollar supported by demand from Japanese importers. The greenback took a breather from its rec... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:10:53 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709266/reuters-feed/s.africa-in-no-hurry-to-issue-another-global-bond-51709266.html February 23, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> By Stella Mapenzauswa JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa is under no pressure to issue a new global bond as proceeds from a well-subscribed sale in January will meet its foreign commitments in the first few months of the next fiscal year, Treasury Director-Gener... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:00:54 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709268/reuters-feed/markets-ease-as-focus-moves-to-growth-oil-prices-51709268.html February 23, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> By Chikako Mogi TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares and the euro fell on Thursday on concerns about global growth driven by higher oil prices and data showing the euro zone may slip into recession, fanning fresh worries about Greece's debt restructuring challenges. ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:00:54 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709270/reuters-feed/brent-oil-holds-near-$123-as-iran-offsets-economy-51709270.html February 23, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> By Florence Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude held steady on Thursday, near a nine-month high of about $123, as supply worries caused by heightened tension between Iran and the West offset concern that a slowdown in the global economy could curb oil demand. ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:00:54 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709272/reuters-feed/gold-pauses-after-rally-monetary-easing-hopes-support-51709272.html February 23, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> By Rujun Shen SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Spot gold edged lower on Thursday, taking a breather after hitting a three-month high in the previous session, while sentiment remains supported on hopes of further monetary easing after sluggish economic data from the euro zone ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:00:54 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709256/reuters-feed/exxaro-fy-earnings-up-40-pct-on-higher-prices-51709256.html February 23, 2012, 7:00 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African diversified miner Exxaro on Thursday reported a 40 percent rise in full-year profit, boosted by strong demand and higher prices for the majority of its commodities and despite negative currency effects. Exxaro, South Africa's ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:50:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709258/reuters-feed/bharti-shares-fall-after-econet-seeks-damages-51709258.html February 23, 2012, 7:00 am<br/><br/><p> NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Shares in Bharti Airtel Ltd fell as much as 4 percent on Thursday after South Africa-based Econet Wireless said it is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages in a dispute over ownership of the leading Indian mobile carrier's Nigerian unit. Bh... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:50:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709260/reuters-feed/nacala-coal-terminal-work-to-begin-mozambique-pm-51709260.html February 23, 2012, 7:00 am<br/><br/><p> TOKYO (Reuters) - Mozambique's Prime Minister Aires Aly said in Tokyo on Thursday his nation plans to start construction of a coal terminal at the northern port of Nacala in the next few months, aiming for it to be operational in two to three years. Brazil's Vale p... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:50:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709262/reuters-feed/egypt-s-cib-says-2011-net-profit-fell-20-pct-51709262.html February 23, 2012, 7:00 am<br/><br/><p> CAIRO (Reuters) - Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt's biggest private bank by assets, said on Wednesday its consolidated net profit fell 20.1 pct in 2011 as the economy slowed in the wake of Egypt's popular uprising. The decline in full-year profit was "pr... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:50:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022351709264/reuters-feed/world-bank-bars-alstom-units-for-improper-payment-51709264.html February 23, 2012, 7:00 am<br/><br/><p> WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The World Bank on Wednesday blacklisted two subsidiaries of French engineering company Alstom for the next three years for "improper payment" in a Zambian hydropower project funded by the global development lender. A settlement between the Wo... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:50:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709254/soapbox/africa-acting-before-it’s-too-late-51709254.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" class="caption" style="cursor: default; border-width: 0px;" src="images/stories/liberiaelection1.jpg" alt="Liberian polling staff prepare ballots before inviting citizens into a polling station to vote in their country’s constitutional referendum, in Monrovia/UN Photo/Staton Winter" width="210" height="90" />The Peer Review Mechanism is opening avenues for citizen engagement all over Africa</p> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:34:23 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/ethiopia-claims-victory-on-al-shabab-ahead-of-key-somalia-summit-51709246.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/drc_soldiers.jpg" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" width="210" height="90" />Ethiopia has claimed a military victory against Somali militants, Al-Shabab, a day before a key summit on Somalia in London.</p> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:54:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709252/reuters-feed/nigerian-oil-revenues-fall-on-production-outages-51709252.html February 22, 2012, 7:00 pm<br/><br/><p> ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria earned gross crude oil revenues of 666.32 billion naira in January, down from 892.70 billion in December owing to production outages, the accountant general said on Wednesday. Nigeria distributed 614.0 billion naira to the three tiers of g... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:51:04 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/something-poetic-about-ethiopia-51709240.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/juan_manuel_castro_prieto_galerie_vu.jpg" alt="Juan Manuel Castro Prieto/ Gallerie VU" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" width="210" height="90" />The Paris VU gallery is putting up a magnificent exhibition, dedicated to the life-long work of photographer Juan Manuel Castro Prieto.</p> <p /><strong /> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:41:57 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/elections/dissuading-senegal-s-wade-is-ex-nigerian-president-obasanjo-the-right-person-51709238.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="images/stories/obasanjo_wade.jpg" alt="Olusegun Obansanjo and Abdoulaye Wade" width="210" height="90" />Senegalese opposition leaders have asked former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on an election observation mission in Senegal, to dissuade 85-year-old leader, Abdoulaye Wade from seeking a third term.</p> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:24:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709248/reuters-feed/econet-seeks-$3.1-bln-damages-from-bharti-airtel-51709248.html February 22, 2012, 6:30 pm<br/><br/><p> By Tim Cocks LAGOS (Reuters) - South Africa-based Econet Wireless is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages from Bharti Airtel in a dispute over ownership of Airtel Nigeria, according to a suit Econet said it had filed on Wednesday. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:21:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709250/reuters-feed/s.sudan-kenya-pipeline-not-feasible-short-term-norway-51709250.html February 22, 2012, 6:30 pm<br/><br/><p> By Ulf Laessing KHARTOUM (Reuters) - South Sudan's plans to build a pipeline to Kenya or Djibouti to end dependency on Sudan's oil industry seems unrealistic in the short-term, showing the need to find a deal with Sudan over oil payments, a Norwegian minister said ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:21:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709242/reuters-feed/tea-govt-bond-demand-keep-kenya-shilling-buoyant-51709242.html February 22, 2012, 5:40 pm<br/><br/><p> By Kevin Mwanza NAIROBI (Reuters) - The Kenyan shilling held steady against the dollar on Wednesday, lifted from an early fall by dollar inflows to tea exporters and big offshore investor appetite for a Treasury bond, while stocks edged up for a second straight day... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:31:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/west-africa-addressing-food-crisis-51709234.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" title="Food Crisis, Sahel Region/ PHOTO/ REUTERS" src="images/stories/food_crisis02_resized.jpg" alt="Food Crisis, Sahel Region/ PHOTO/ REUTERS" width="210" height="90" />Food security and agricultural experts are meeting in Accra to brainstorm over the West African food security situation...</p> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:11:02 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709236/reuters-feed/s.africa-stocks-edge-down-implats-falls-51709236.html February 22, 2012, 5:00 pm<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African stocks edged down half a percent on Wednesday, as shares of Impala Platinum fell after the miner said its April deliveries would be cut in half by a strike at its main mine. South Africa's announcement of a lower-than-expected... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:51:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709232/reuters-feed/s.africa-bonds-give-up-brief-budget-gains-rand-steady-51709232.html February 22, 2012, 4:00 pm<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG, Feb 22 - South African bonds surrendered brief budget-inspired gains on Wednesday after the market digested the deficit forecasts unveiled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and found them unconvincing. "The budget is not as good as the initial number... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:51:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709230/reuters-feed/econet-seeks-$3.1-billion-damages-from-bharti-airtel-51709230.html February 22, 2012, 3:50 pm<br/><br/><p> By Tim Cocks LAGOS (Reuters) - South Africa-based Econet Wireless is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages from Bharti Airtel in a dispute over ownership of the Indian group's subsidiary Airtel Nigeria, according to a suit filed on Wednesday. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:41:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709222/reuters-feed/zambia-s-gdp-growth-seen-at-6.6-pct-in-2012-poll-51709222.html February 22, 2012, 3:40 pm<br/><br/><p> By Vuyani Ndaba JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zambia's economic growth with hold up well this year and next as cashes in on high copper prices through privatisation, bringing more machinery to build the $13 billion economy through the mining sector. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:31:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709224/reuters-feed/s.africa-puts-lid-on-spending-mkts-sceptical-51709224.html February 22, 2012, 3:40 pm<br/><br/><p> By Ed Cropley CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa projected a lower-than-expected 2012/13 budget deficit on Wednesday, reassuring bond investors and ratings agencies that the continent's biggest economy is keeping a lid on spending despite huge social pressures and ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:31:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709226/reuters-feed/nigerian-naira-gains-on-offshore-dollar-inflows-51709226.html February 22, 2012, 3:40 pm<br/><br/><p> LAGOS (Reuters) - The Nigerian naira strengthened further against the U.S dollar on both the interbank market and official forex window on Wednesday, supported by dollar inflows from oil company sales and offshore interest in treasury bills. The naira closed at 157... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:31:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709228/reuters-feed/wall-st-opens-slightly-lower-51709228.html February 22, 2012, 3:40 pm<br/><br/><p> NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened slightly lower on Wednesday, putting the S&P 500's three-day winning streak in jeopardy after weaker-than-expected euro zone economic data. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 12.11 points, or 0.09 percent, at 12,953.58... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:31:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709220/reuters-feed/econet-seeks-$3.1-billion-damages-from-bharti-airtel-51709220.html February 22, 2012, 3:20 pm<br/><br/><p> By Tim Cocks LAGOS (Reuters) - Econet Wireless is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages from Bharti Airtel in a dispute over ownership of its subsidiary Airtel Nigeria, according to a suit filed on Wednesday. The move follows a Ni... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:11:03 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709214/reuters-feed/implats-says-strike-to-cut-april-deliveries-50-pct-51709214.html February 22, 2012, 2:50 pm<br/><br/><p> By Amanda Cooper and Sherilee Lakmidas LONDON/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Impala Platinum, the world's second-largest platinum producer, has warned customers that its April platinum deliveries would be down about 50 percent due to labour problems at its Rustenburg min... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:41:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709216/reuters-feed/protesting-miners-and-residents-confront-the-police-near-impala-platinum-s-rustenburg-mine-51709216.html February 22, 2012, 2:50 pm<br/><br/><p> Protesting miners and residents confront the police near Impala Platinum's Rustenburg mine, February 16, 2012, as a month-long strike at the world's second-largest producer of the precious metal turned violent. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:41:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709218/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-govt-bonds-reverse-budget-gains-yields-up-51709218.html February 22, 2012, 2:50 pm<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's government bonds weakened on Wednesday, reversing gains that were prompted by the finance ministry's narrower-than-expected budget deficit forecasts as the market questioned if they could be achieved. The yield on the 2026 bo... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:41:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709212/reuters-feed/egypt-says-to-offer-citizens-abroad-$2-bln-in-cds-51709212.html February 22, 2012, 2:40 pm<br/><br/><p> CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt will offer its citizens living outside the country $2 billion in three- and five-year certificates of deposit (CDs) within one or two weeks, the finance minister said on Wednesday. The CDs will carry an interest rate of "no more than 4 perce... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:31:04 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709210/reuters-feed/s.africa-puts-lid-on-spending-bonds-gain-51709210.html February 22, 2012, 2:20 pm<br/><br/><p> By Ed Cropley CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa projected a lower-than-expected 2012/13 budget deficit on Wednesday, reassuring bond investors and ratings agencies that the continent's biggest economy is keeping a lid on spending despite huge social pressures and ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:11:04 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709202/reuters-feed/zambia-to-check-more-closely-on-metal-exports-51709202.html February 22, 2012, 2:10 pm<br/><br/><p> LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia has brought in guidelines for mineral exports to allow state agencies to verify weight and content to enhance transparency in Africa's largest copper producer, finance minister Alexander Chikwanda said. New President Michael Sata has expre... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:01:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709204/reuters-feed/exxon-signs-nigeria-oil-renewals-dispute-ends-51709204.html February 22, 2012, 2:10 pm<br/><br/><p> By Joe Brock ABUJA (Reuters) - U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil signed 20-year oil licence renewals on Nigerian assets producing around 550,000 barrels per day on Wednesday, the company's country manager said, ending months of negotiations. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:01:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709206/reuters-feed/massmart-could-open-up-to-20-stores-in-nigeria-51709206.html February 22, 2012, 2:10 pm<br/><br/><p> By Tiisetso Motsoeneng JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African retailer Massmart sees scope for up to 20 stores in Nigeria, its chief executive said, the second business leader in as many days to talk up consumer demand in Africa's most populous country, one where p... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:01:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709208/reuters-feed/ghana-bond-sale-tests-foreign-appetite-in-election-year-51709208.html February 22, 2012, 2:10 pm<br/><br/><p> By Tosin Sulaiman LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign interest in a bond sale in Ghana this week is likely to be muted due to lingering concerns about currency volatility and nervousness ahead of elections due late this year, but local demand should ensure the auction is fu... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:01:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709200/reuters-feed/s.africa-puts-firm-lid-on-spending-51709200.html February 22, 2012, 1:30 pm<br/><br/><p> By Stella Mapenzauswa CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa projected a lower-than-expected 2012/13 budget deficit on Wednesday, reassuring bond investors and ratings agencies that the continent's biggest economy is keeping a lid on spending despite huge social pressu... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:21:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709192/reuters-feed/south-africa-to-introduce-carbon-tax-51709192.html February 22, 2012, 1:10 pm<br/><br/><p> CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa is looking to introduce a carbon tax next year to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, although nearly two-thirds of emissions will be tax-exempt until 2020 to lessen the impact on industry, the treasury said on Wednesday. In ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:01:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709194/reuters-feed/south-africa-cuts-2012-gdp-forecast-to-2.7-pct-51709194.html February 22, 2012, 1:10 pm<br/><br/><p> CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa cut its 2012 economic growth forecast to 2.7 percent on Wednesday from an October projection of 3.4 percent, reflecting the impact on the continent's biggest economy of a slowdown in Europe and the United States. However, in his b... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:01:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709196/reuters-feed/s.africa-plans-five-new-bonds-to-smooth-maturity-structure-51709196.html February 22, 2012, 1:10 pm<br/><br/><p> By Stella Mapenzauswa CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa will introduce two new fixed income and three inflation-linked bonds in 2012/13 to smooth the maturity structure of its debt, the National Treasury said on Wednesday. In its 20... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:01:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709198/reuters-feed/s.africa-sees-slightly-narrower-budget-deficit-in-2012/13-51709198.html February 22, 2012, 1:10 pm<br/><br/><p> CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa expects a slightly narrower budget deficit of 4.6 percent of GDP in the financial year ending March 2013 from a 4.8 percent shortfall in 2011/12, the Treasury said in its annual budget on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters ha... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:01:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709188/reuters-feed/econet-seeks-$3.1-billion-damages-from-bharti-airtel-51709188.html February 22, 2012, 12:40 pm<br/><br/><p> By Tim Cocks LAGOS (Reuters) - Econet Wireless is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages from Bharti Airtel in a dispute over ownership of its subsidiary Airtel Nigeria, according to a suit filed on Wednesday. The move follows a N... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:31:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709190/reuters-feed/japan-s-mizuho-teams-up-with-s.africa-standard-bank-51709190.html February 22, 2012, 12:40 pm<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Standard Bank, Africa largest bank by assets, signed an agreement with Japan's Mizuho Financial Group on corporate lending in Africa, Standard Bank said on Wednesday, confirming an earlier Reuters report. The non-exclusive agreement will f... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:31:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709186/reuters-feed/nigeria-lowers-qua-iboe-crude-price-for-march-51709186.html February 22, 2012, 12:30 pm<br/><br/><p> LONDON (Reuters) - Nigeria has lowered the official selling price of Qua Iboe and Bonny Light crude oil to dated Brent benchmark plus $2.65 a barrel for March, traders said on Wednesday. The level was 15 cents lower than the benchmark plus $2.80 in February. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:21:05 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709184/reuters-feed/ghana-producer-price-index-rises-to-15.25-pct-in-jan-51709184.html February 22, 2012, 12:20 pm<br/><br/><p> ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's annual producer price inflation index rose to 15.25 percent in January from a revised 13.65 percent in Decemeber, the statistics office said on Wednesday. Philomena Nyarko, acting government statistician, said the rise in inflation was ma... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:11:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709182/reuters-feed/ghana-producer-price-index-rises-to-15.25-pct-in-jan-51709182.html February 22, 2012, 12:10 pm<br/><br/><p> ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's annual producer price inflation index rose to 15.25 percent in January from a revised 13.65 percent in Decemeber, the statistics office said on Wednesday. Philomena Nyarko, acting government statistician, said the rise in inflation was ma... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:01:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709180/reuters-feed/ftse-falls-as-long-term-fears-overshadow-greek-deal-51709180.html February 22, 2012, 11:40 am<br/><br/><p> By Tricia Wright LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top shares slipped on Wednesday morning, led by banks on concerns that the bailout package for Greece has not put an end to the euro zone debt saga but has just averted a messy default in the near term. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:31:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709178/reuters-feed/exxon-signs-nigerian-license-renewals-dispute-over-51709178.html February 22, 2012, 11:30 am<br/><br/><p> ABUJA (Reuters) - U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil signed 20-year oil license renewals on Nigerian assets producing around 550,000 barrels per day on Wednesday, the country manager said, ending months of disputes over them. "We are very pleased with the outcome," Mar... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:21:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709176/reuters-feed/namibia-c.bank-keeps-rates-steady-growth-a-concern-51709176.html February 22, 2012, 11:00 am<br/><br/><p> WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Namibia's central bank on Wednesday left its bank rate unchanged at 6.0 percent, saying its concerns over "frail" economic growth outweighed expectations that inflation will rise. "Our estimate is that growth for 2011 is going to be just under... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:51:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709174/reuters-feed/namibia-s-central-bank-leaves-rates-at-6.0-percent-51709174.html February 22, 2012, 10:50 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Namibia's central bank on Wednesday left its bank rate unchanged at 6.0 percent, citing concerns of "frail" economic growth. "Our estimate is that growth for 2011 is going to be just under 4 percent compared to 6.6 percent in 2010," centra... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:41:06 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709172/reuters-feed/s.africa-may-pay-for-gordhan-s-amiability-51709172.html February 22, 2012, 10:20 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's agreeable manner was just what South African President Jacob Zuma needed to keep the peace between warring factions of the ruling ANC, but his affability may ultimately cost Africa's biggest economy dear. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:11:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709170/reuters-feed/shell-to-buy-cove-energy-for-$1.6-bln-51709170.html February 22, 2012, 9:40 am<br/><br/><p> By Tom Bergin LONDON (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc has made an agreed 992.4 million pounds bid for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy, offering a full price to open up a new gas frontier for the Anglo-Dutch oil major in East Africa. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:31:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709168/reuters-feed/european-shares-flat-in-early-trade-peugeot-rises-51709168.html February 22, 2012, 9:30 am<br/><br/><p> LONDON (Reuters) - European shares were flat in early trade on Wednesday, after upbeat manufacturing data from China and France was offset by continued worries over Greece's ability to undertake austerity measures. At 0813 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top Eur... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:21:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709166/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-january-cpi-up-at-6.3-pct-y/y-51709166.html February 22, 2012, 9:10 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's targeted consumer price inflation quickend to 6.3 percent year-on-year in January, from 6.1 percent in December, Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday. On a month-on-month basis, inflation was at 0.6 percent from 0.2 perc... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:01:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709164/reuters-feed/shell-to-buy-cove-energy-for-$1.6-bln-51709164.html February 22, 2012, 9:00 am<br/><br/><p> By Tom Bergin LONDON, Feb 22 - Royal Dutch Shell Plc has made an agreed 992.4 million pounds bid for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy, offering a full price to open up a new gas frontier for the Anglo-Dutch oil major in East Africa. Sh... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:51:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709162/reuters-feed/shell-makes-1-bln-stg-bid-for-cove-energy-51709162.html February 22, 2012, 8:40 am<br/><br/><p> LONDON, Feb 22 - Royal Dutch Shell Plc has made a 992.4 million pounds bid for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy, offering a full price to open up a new gas frontier for the Anglo-Dutch oil major in East Africa. Shell has offered 195 pence per share in cash, which Cov... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:31:07 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709158/reuters-feed/s.africa-may-pay-for-gordhan-s-amiability-51709158.html February 22, 2012, 8:10 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's agreeable manner was just what South African President Jacob Zuma needed to keep the peace between warring factions of the ruling ANC, but his affability may ultimately cost Africa's biggest economy dear. W... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:01:09 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709160/reuters-feed/s.africa-bonds-weaker-ahead-of-budget-rand-steady-51709160.html February 22, 2012, 8:10 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African government bonds weakened and the rand was steady on Wednesday with dealers on the sidelines, waiting for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's budget speech at 1200 GMT. The market was also looking for inflation numbers at 0800 G... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:01:09 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709156/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-c.bank-changes-monetary-operations-51709156.html February 22, 2012, 7:50 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The South African Reserve Bank on Wednesday said it would change some its monetary operations procedures including issuing more debentures from March 1, but these changes did not reflect a change in its monetary stance. The bank said it wou... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:41:09 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709154/reuters-feed/kenya-s-housing-finance-2011-pretax-profit-loans-up-51709154.html February 22, 2012, 7:50 am<br/><br/><p> By Kevin Mwanza NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's second-largest mortgage lender Housing Finance posted a 74 percent jump in 2011 profit, as its loan book grew by a third despite high interest rates, it said on Wednesday, adding it planned to raise long-term financing ab... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:41:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709152/reuters-feed/air-mauritius-back-to-black-in-2013-14-ceo-51709152.html February 22, 2012, 7:40 am<br/><br/><p> By Jean Paul Arouff PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Air Mauritius said it will not return to profitability until 2013-14 after high fuel prices, currency volatility, and competition pushed it to a pretax loss for the nine months to the end of December. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:31:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709150/reuters-feed/wall-st-loses-steam-after-dow-crosses-13000-51709150.html February 22, 2012, 7:30 am<br/><br/><p> By Caroline Valetkevitch NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended little changed on Tuesday, paring gains after the Dow topped 13,000 for the first time since May 2008, and as higher oil prices damped prospects for the economy. Greece'... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:21:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709138/reuters-feed/massmart-h1-profit-up-19-pct-on-forex-51709138.html February 22, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG, Feb 22 - South African retailer Massmart reported a 19 percent rise in first-half profit on Wednesday, helped almost entirely by favourable currency swings as higher costs and discounts weighed. Massmart, 51-percent owned by U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709140/reuters-feed/gold-off-2-1/2-week-high-greece-still-a-worry-51709140.html February 22, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> By Rujun Shen SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Gold edged down on Wednesday from a 2-1/2-week high as concerns about Greece's ability to implement an unpopular bailout deal balanced the gains triggered by the actual agreement and slower factory activity in China contributed t... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709142/reuters-feed/brent-crude-falls-towards-$121-on-euro-zone-worry-51709142.html February 22, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> By Florence Tan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Brent crude edged down towards $121 on Wednesday, retreating from a nine-month high, as weaker Chinese manufacturing data and resurfacing worries about the euro zone debt crisis cast doubt on global economic health and prospect... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709144/reuters-feed/forex-euro-relief-proves-fleeting-yen-hits-6-mth-low-vs-dollar-51709144.html February 22, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> By Masayuki Kitano SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The euro struggled to make headway on Wednesday, having retreated from near two-week highs as optimism over the long-awaited Greek bailout deal quickly gave way to concerns about economic growth and implementation risks. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709146/reuters-feed/shares-slip-as-greek-reality-bites-oil-worries-51709146.html February 22, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> By Chikako Mogi TOKYO (Reuters) - Asia markets slipped on Wednesday as relief over Greece's latest bailout turned to doubts that the debt-stricken country can keep to its austerity programme and concern about rising oil prices. MSCI'... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709148/reuters-feed/copper-slips-after-rally-china-data-51709148.html February 22, 2012, 7:20 am<br/><br/><p> By Manolo Serapio Jr and Rujun Shen SINGAPORE (Reuters) - London copper softened a touch on Wednesday, as investors took a breather after a 2.6 percent rally in the previous session, while lingering concerns about Greece and the contraction in China's manufacturing... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709130/reuters-feed/s.africa-s-imperial-h1-flat-sees-similar-h2-51709130.html February 22, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African logistics group Imperial on Wednesday reported flat first-half headline earnings and said it expects the performance seen in the past six months to continue in the second half of its financial year. "While the current economic... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:01:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709132/reuters-feed/kenya-s-housing-finance-says-2011-pretax-profit-up-74-pct-51709132.html February 22, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's second-largest mortgage lender Housing Finance posted a 74 percent jump in pretax profit to 975.8 million shillings, as its loan book grew by a third, it said on Wednesday. Housing Finance said its loan book grew by 31 percent to reach 2... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:01:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709134/reuters-feed/south-sudan-in-talks-with-vitol-to-build-small-51709134.html February 22, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> By Hereward Holland and Emma Farge PALOUGE OIL FIELD, South Sudan/LONDON (Reuters) - South Sudan is in talks with top oil trader Vitol to build a small refinery which would start producing in 2013, as it seeks to end dependency on Su... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:01:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022251709136/reuters-feed/egyptian-firm-in-fake-avastin-scam-proves-elusive-51709136.html February 22, 2012, 7:10 am<br/><br/><p> By Edmund Blair CAIRO (Reuters) - The trail of counterfeit copies of the multibillion-dollar cancer drug Avastin leads to an address in a crowded Cairo suburb, with no sign of the firm named by international suppliers as the source of the product. ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:01:10 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709128/west-africa/will-senegal-s-ballot-be-transparent-51709128.html <p><strong><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/senegalmilitary1.jpg" alt="Concerns have been mounting and many believe the polls would not be transparent/Photo/Reuters" class="caption" height="90" width="210" /></strong>Senegal's opposition believes that President Abdoulaye Wade is insisting on standing on re-election because the February 26 polls have already been rigged. Wade is among 14 candidates including two women who are standing for election.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:39:15 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709124/west-africa/senegal-where-does-the-international-community-stand-51709124.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/senegal.jpg" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" height="90" width="210" />After having mounted pressure on Wade by supporting the call for a generational change of government, Paris and Washington have all of a sudden gone quiet. The African Union on the other hand does fnot intend to sit on the sidelines.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:37 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/society-and-culture/mps-to-rescue-ugandan-prostitutes-in-malaysia-51709112.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/prostitution1x.jpg" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" width="210" height="90" />Ugandan legislators have moved to take action following reports that hundreds of local women were victims of human trafficking after having been duped into working as prostitutes and drug traffickers in Malaysia and other Asian countries.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:02 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709126/reuters-feed/uk-s-bg-group-to-invest-$500-mln-in-tanzania-gas-exploration-51709126.html February 21, 2012, 6:30 pm<br/><br/><p> DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - British gas and oil firm BG Group plans to step up its presence in gas exploration in east Africa's second-biggest economy by investing $500 million in Tanzania this year, the government said on Tuesday. The east African coastline is fast ... Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:20:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/senegal-y-en-a-marre-movement-in-bad-shape-51709100.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="images/stories/y_en_a_marre.jpg" alt="alt" width="210" height="90" />The electoral registration frenzy among Senegalese youth in districts across the country is a result of "Y'en a marre's" awareness campaign. But Y'en a Marre...</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:08:45 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/news-analysis/is-wade-s-machinery-still-at-full-blast-51709098.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" class="caption" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="images/stories/wade_senegal.jpg" alt="alt" width="210" height="90" />Those who doubted the near-86 year-old Senegalese leader, Abdoulaye Wade's capacity of campaigning will have to eat their words.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:05:23 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709102/columns/africa-slow-progress-in-human-development-51709102.html <p>In both Kenya and Nigeria extreme poverty has declined due to improvements in water, sanitation, health and other living standards, while Ghana has made steady progress and is now ranked as having medium human development.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:02:29 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/west-africa/nigeria-no-early-campaigns-for-politicians-51709096.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/goodluckjox.jpg" alt="President Jonathan says that Nigerians are interested on what politicians put on the ground for them and not how many elections they conduct and win/Photo/Reuters" class="caption" height="90" width="210" />With less than a year in office for Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and state governors, some politicians have started to position themselves ahead of the next elections in 2015.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:02:08 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/sectors/zimbabwe-battling-the-banks-51709094.html <p><img align="left" hspace="12" src="images/stories/tendaibitix.jpg" alt="Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, has allayed fears that the liquidity crisis would worsen/Photo/Reuters" class="caption" height="90" width="210" />Zimbabwe's battling banking sector repatriated at least US$71 million in a week to ease a liquidity crisis that straddled the country's stricken economy.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:56:54 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709120/reuters-feed/top-kenyan-tea-prices-dip-at-latest-sale-51709120.html February 21, 2012, 5:40 pm<br/><br/><p> NAIROBI (Reuters) - The average price for the top tea in Kenya, the world's leading exporters of black tea, fell to $3.38 per kg at auction this week from $3.41 the previous week, while volumes on offer fell, brokers said on Tuesday. Mombasa-based Africa Tea Broker... Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:30:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709122/reuters-feed/a-man-stands-guard-as-mine-workers-listen-to-zwelinzima-vavi-cosatu-general-secretary-during-his-address-at-the-impala-platinum-mine-in-rustenburg-51709122.html February 21, 2012, 5:40 pm<br/><br/><p> A man stands guard as mine workers listen to Zwelinzima Vavi, COSATU General Secretary (not in picture), during his address at the Impala Platinum mine in Rustenburg, 120 km (74.6 miles) northwest of Johannesburg February 21, 2012. REUTERS/Sipiwe Sibeko ... Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:30:55 +0100 http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/2012022151709114/reuters-feed/frontier-rare-earths-shares-up-on-positive-mine-study-51709114.html February 21, 2012, 5:20 pm<br/><br/><p> TORONTO (Reuters) - Shares of Frontier Rare Earths rose as much as 15 percent on Tuesday morning after the Canadian miner said a study of its Zandkopsdrift project in South Africa found the proposed mine and rare-earth separation plant economically feasible. The pr... Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:10:56 +0100