THE Bank of England cut its base lending rate by 0,25 percentage points to 6,0% on Thursday, surprising most analysts who had expected rates to be hold steady. The cut was the fourth in as many months. The British rate stands at exactly twice the euro-zone 3% rate. The unexpected move boosted share prices on […]
THE Zambian state has closed its case in the trial of 77 soldiers charged with treason over a coup attempt against President Frederick Chiluba in October 1997, defence lawyers said on Wednesday. “The state closed its case on Tuesday, and we are now trying to have some of the detainees released because some of them […]
SIERRA Leonean Finance Minister James Jonah said on Thursday said that Nigerian-led Ecomog troops are in control of all strategic points in the capital, Freetown, a day after rebels stormed the city. “All the major strategic points are fully under Ecomog control, including the Wilberforce barracks [Ecomog HQ],” Jonah said. “The rebels never made a […]
ZAMBIA’S inflation levels soared to 30% at the close of 1998, the highest figure recorded in the last 21 months. According to the December edition of Zambia’s Central Statistics Office’s Consumer Price Index (CSO), the inflation levels continued to increase despite government’s reduced targets. The annualised inflation rate for December stood at 30,6% from the […]
BUSINESS South Africa has been refused leave to appeal against dismissal of its earlier application to force the health minister to refer Medical Schemes Bill to the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The refusal of leave to appeal was made in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein on Thursday. The appeal related to […]
BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair landed in South Africa on Wednesday at the start of a visit aimed at putting the seal on defence contracts and cementing relations with Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. Blair was met at Waterkloof Air Force base outside Pretoria by South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad. The British leader is […]
THE Tanzania Netball Association faces expulsion from the world netball governing body if it fails to remit some 300 in affiliation fees before the end of January. The association has been unable to raise the amount and is currently looking for well-wishers to bail it out.
KWAZULU-NATAL traffic police issued close to 400000 traffic fines last year, provincial traffic spokesperson Logan Maistry said on Wednesday. Traffic offences included: 242687 for speeding, 3442 for overtaking on barrier lines,17099 for driver’s licence offences, 24004 for not wearing seat belts, 6041 for overloading and 68187 for vehicle defects. Maistry said 1713 people were arrested […]
ZAMBIA’S National Roads Board has released 25-billion kwacha for road upgrading projects in Kitwe and Ndola regions. The project marks the beginning of phase one of the World Bank-sponsored road rehabilitation project. NRB chairman Raymond Jhala said on Tuesday that successful bidders will start construction in March this year. 05
CONGO (Brazzaville) government forces killed dozens of militia foes in fighting near the capital and prepared for a new offensive after losing at least four men and two armoured vehicles, army sources said on Wednesday. Forces backing President Denis Sassou Nguesso killed several dozen of the so-called Ninja militiamen in operations on Tuesday to flush […]