The African National Congress does not expect its labour ally, Cosatu, to embark on strike action during the Soccer World Cup.

Europe faces at least another year of economic difficulties and there are signs at best of stabilisation rather than recovery, leaders said on Friday.

Oil prices jumped on Monday after a suspected terror attack on a tanker off Yemen raised tensions on world markets already fretting about the possibility of an assault by the United States on Iraq.

Recent financial-market turmoil will not impact South Africa's Baa1 credit rating, which is backed by low external debt ratios and solid fiscal position, Moody's analyst Kristin Lindow said on Thursday. Lindow said the rating had already taken into account potential exchange-rate volatility and a wide current-account deficit.

Wildcat strikes in the platinum belt have entered a sixth week with no resolution in sight and investors are beginning to grow concerned.

The African National Congress does not expect its labour ally, Cosatu, to embark on strike action during the Soccer World Cup.

Europe faces at least another year of economic difficulties and there are signs at best of stabilisation rather than recovery, leaders said on Friday.

Oil prices jumped on Monday after a suspected terror attack on a tanker off Yemen raised tensions on world markets already fretting about the possibility of an assault by the United States on Iraq.