26 February 2010
	Another Week

AT HOME Pravin Gordhan presents the 2010 budget, one characterised by pragmatism and the need for change. The industrial policy action plan is unveiled by trade & industry minister Rob Davies. Anglo American reports a 53,5% drop in full-year earnings per share. The world's largest passenger plane, the A380, lands at OR Tambo International. Gold Reef Resorts and Tsogo Sun Holdings announce their intention to merge. SA Diamond Board chairman Abbey Chikane is chosen to oversee Zimbabwe diamond mines' compliance with the Kimberley Process. SA's biggest retail bank, Absa, is to establish a corporate bank this year. Chumani Maxwele is arrested for gesturing at President Jacob Zuma's convoy while jogging along De Waal Drive. The university student is considering legal action against Zuma's VIP security guards. ABROAD TIGER WOODS leaves after making a statement at TPC Sawgrass. Woods admitted to cheating on his wife Elin Nordegren but maintained it was "a matter between a husband and a wife". He did not say when he would return to competitive golf. Japan stays ahead of China as the world's number two economy. Debt-addled Greece's euro partners take over control of the country's budgetary sovereignty. US and Pakistani intelligence forces capture a top Taliban commander. Barclays reports annual net profit of £9,4bn, up 114%. The bank's CEO and president turn down bonuses for a second year running. Kenya's governing coalition is on the brink of collapse as 10 000 Kenyans displaced by post-electoral violence march to Nairobi. Guinea's interim leader Gen Sekouba Konate appoints a transitional government to steer the country back to civilian rule. Côte d'Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo dissolves his government in a blow to the opposition. Niger's new military rulers promise to turn the uranium-rich country into a beacon of "good democracy". Zimbabwe's tobacco selling season begins with a bumper crop on auction. The US government appoints its first ambassador to Syria in five years. Russia delays the delivery of advanced air defence missiles to Iran. The Dalai Lama arrives in Washington for talks with President Barack Obama. Kosovo celebrates the anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia. Dubai probes the assassination of a Hamas official by suspected Israeli agents. The US Federal Reserve increases the interest rate it charges on emergency loans to banks. The IMF restores Zimbabwe's voting rights. The Dutch premier tenders his government's resignation as the coalition dissolves. SPORT India crush SA by an innings and 57 runs in the final test to draw the series 1-1. India beat SA by one run in a one-day international to take the lead in the series. Soccer World Cup doping tests are to begin in April. Australian cricketers refuse to commit to this year's Indian Premier League until safety demands are met. The Lions and Chiefs produce a record score - 72-65 to the Chiefs - in Super 14 rugby.