19 February 2010
	Another Week

AT HOME Trade & industry minister Rob Davies says the second version of the industrial policy action plan - Ipap2 - will include time frames for sector job-creation targets and kick-start "green industries". Police fire rubber bullets to disperse thousands of people who blockade roads in a service-delivery protest which turns violent in Newcastle. Cope and DA MPs walk out after Cope's Mluleki George is expelled from parliament for refusing to withdraw a statement that President Jacob Zuma is "leasing the country to lawlessness". The rand on Tuesday is quoted at R7,71/US$, R12,09/£, R 10,52/€. Gold is at $1 113/oz, oil at $72,21/bbl. The Alsi is up at 26 855. The ANC national health insurance plan will cost R165bn-R244bn/year on top of current health spending, says an Econex study commissioned by private hospitals. Civil engineering group Sanyati sells its asphalt manufacturing plant to black empowerment company Aqua Transport for R18m. Sasol warns earnings for the six months to December will be down as much as 55%. Johannesburg Roads Agency says swimming pool backwashing is one cause of potholes on suburban roads, along with vandalism and ageing infrastructure. February 11 marks the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's historic exit from Pollsmoor prison, after serving 27 years in jail for his opposition to apartheid. ABROAD GREEK CRISIS - Elena Salgado, Spain's finance minister, speaks to George Papaconstantinou, Greece's finance minister, ahead of the meeting of European Union finance ministers at the EU headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. European finance ministers are prepared to impose deeper budget deficit cuts on Greece and refuse to say how they will make good on a pledge to rescue the nation if it can't finance its debt. Shares in Britain's second- largest bank, Barclays, soar 6,2% after half-year profit more than doubles from a year earlier, lifted by investment banking and the sale of a fund management unit. China moves to control credit by ordering its banks to increase reserves: by half a percentage point to 16,5% for large lenders and to 14,5% for smaller ones. Lending to farmers is exempted. The move sends European bourses and US stock futures into the red. Japan's economy grew by 1,1% in Q4 last year - an annualised increase of 4,6%, according to official figures - but contracted by 5% over the whole of 2009. EU finance ministers oppose US president Barack Obama's proposal to limit banks' size and risk-taking. Dubai's stock market falls 3,5%, the most in three weeks, after a report, denied, says government's investment vehicle Dubai World may offer creditors only 60c in the dollar. Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga suspends two ministers accused of embezzlement but they are reinstated by president Mwai Kibaki, who says he wasn't consulted. SPORT Mamelodi Sundowns and Santos draw 0-0. In Super 14 rugby, the Bulls beat the Cheetahs 51-34 in Bloemfontein, the Crusaders beat the Highlanders 32-17 in Christchurch, the Stormers beat the Lions 26-13 in Jo'burg, and the Chiefs beat the Sharks 19-18 in Durban. Afghanistan beat Ireland in a World Twenty20 cricket qualifier in Dubai for a place in the West Indies tournament in April.