South African business confidence in the retail sector declined in the first quarter of 2007 but remained surprisingly robust despite higher interest rates, a new survey showed on Monday. The Bureau for Economic Research retail confidence index fell to 87 index points from a record high 91 previously.
South African gaming and leisure firm Gold Reef Resorts reported on Monday a 25% rise in annual headline earnings per share, in line with its own forecast thanks to a strong performance by its casinos. Gold Reef said headline EPS in 2006 rose 24,8% to 127,4 cents, at the top end of its own forecast for a rise of 20% to 25%.
Brewer SABMiller plans to invest R100-million to produce its own carbon dioxide for fizzy drinks in South Africa. SAB said in a statement on Sunday it had decided to invest in its South African soft drinks unit ABI so it can produce its own CO2 after its South African suppliers failed to provide enough to meet demand.
Aston Villa held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw on Sunday in the Premier League and Charlton improved their chances of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle. Fourth-placed Liverpool nearly earned all three points at Villa Park but goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen pushed substitute Robbie Fowler’s header around the post in the 88th minuted.
Fuel prices in Zimbabwe have skyrocketed by up to 200% in the last fortnight amid fresh shortages brought on by inflation and a devalued currency, analysts said on Monday. The rise in fuel prices, attributed by industry players to the high cost of foreign currency needed to finance its importation, has triggered a wave of increases in bus fares and commodities.
South African flyer Roland Schoeman believes if his second lap is on par with his rivals he can win the 100m freestyle gold medal at the World Swimming Championships. Schoeman is confident he can do his first lap in 22,4 seconds, but it is the second 50m which is the problematic part for him.
Zimbabwean police say opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara and more than 40 other activists arrested last week are not allowed to leave the country until their case is finalised in court, a newspaper reported Monday. Mutambara, who leads a breakaway faction of the Movement for Democratic Change was arrested at Harare International Airport on Saturday.
An Israeli ministerial commission on Monday decided to officially declare last year’s conflict in Lebanon a "war" after the government had previously refused to use the term. Israel’s committee responsible for official ceremonies, chaired by Cabinet Minister Yaacov Ederi, "decided that the campaign in Lebanon will be explicitly called a war", a statement said.
A passenger in first class woke up to a shock when he found himself sitting near a corpse on a British Airways flight, British newspapers reported. Paul Trinder (54) said cabin crew moved the body of the woman from the economy section where she had died after take-off, the Mirror and Sun tabloids said.
A violent crackdown on political dissent in Zimbabwe could lead Australian cricketers to scrap a planned tour of the Southern African nation later this year, the government said on Monday. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he was deeply disturbed by events in Zimbabwe and would raise the issue with Cricket Australia after the World Cup.