Consumer confidence remained at record-high levels during the second quarter of 2006, according to the latest FNB/BER consumer confidence index (CCI) released on Wednesday. First National Bank (FNB) and Stellenbosch University’s Bureau for Economic Research (BER) said in a statement the CCI declined by an insubstantial one index point.
The JSE was weaker in noon trade on Wednesday in line with world markets. Renewed interest-rate jitters sparked by a weaker rand and concerns about North Korea’s missile tests also contributed to the weakness. By 12.06pm, the all-share and all-share industrial indices slipped 0,7% and 0,62% respectively.
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Italy’s march into the World Cup final at the expense of Germany was met with banner headlines in the Italian press on Wednesday. The 2-0 extra-time win over the hosts in Dortmund was an historic one for the Italians, ”who could beat anyone — even the Martians” wrote the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero.
The Wimbledon seeding committee got this one just right. The top four seeded players have advanced to the women’s semifinals at Wimbledon. It’s only the fifth time in 25 years that the semis have featured the elite four. On Thursday, 2004 champion Sharapova will play Mauresmo, and Clijsters will face Henin-Hardenne in the 20th career match between the Belgian rivals.
The South African Trade and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) acknowledged on Wednesday it had a R3-million debt, but denied this was from the recent security guard strike. Spokesperson Ronnie Mamba confirmed union general secretary Randall Howard had issued a memorandum urging staffers to keep costs under control, but said this was routine.
North Korea launched a seventh missile at about 5.20pm (8.20am GMT) on Wednesday, according to Japan’s Defence Agency. The missile landed six minutes later, but the location is not yet known. Pyongyang’s action has triggered a storm of international reaction, including immediate sanctions imposed by Japan and an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York.
Simone Thibaudeau hates boring holidays and Claude Fievet loves Central Asia. So when they were invited on a package tour of Afghanistan, the woman of 73 and the man of 80 did not hesitate. In a Kabul hotel after three weeks in the north of a country that is more associated with war than tourism, they were tired but inspired.
Credit providers and credit bureaux have until July 28 2006 to register with the newly created National Credit Regulator (NCR), the body said in a statement on Wednesday. "It will therefore be an offence for credit providers and credit bureaux to conduct any business after the closing date if they are not registered with the NCR," said Nomsa Motshegare, the registration manager.
At least six people were killed and 11 wounded when gunmen ambushed a German aid-agency vehicle in southern Sudan, witnesses said on Wednesday, highlighting insecurity in the region. Five Sudanese teenagers riding in the back of a pick-up belonging to the German Agency for Technical Cooperation and one were shot dead in the incident.
Banking group Absa says that house-price growth is at its lowest in four-and-a-half years. According to the latest Absa house-price index, nominal year-on-year growth of 13,6% was recorded in June this year compared with a growth rate of 14,3% in May. This was the lowest year-on-year growth since January 2002 when it was also 13,6%.