05 March 2010
	Another Week

AT HOME Nersa allows Eskom to increase tariffs by 24,8% for 2010/2011 and 25,8% in 2011/2012. The minerals & energy department confirms SA is preparing for nuclear energy expansion. International relations & co-operation minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane visits China as part of the "strategic partnership dialogue" between the two countries. SA's crude steel production rises 51,1% year-on-year in January. The competition commission appeals the R195m penalty imposed on Pioneer Foods for its involvement in a bread cartel, seeking 10% of the company's turnover, about R1,5bn, instead. Company liquidations decline for the second month in a row in January. Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus rules out manipulating the rand exchange rate. The 507-carat Cullinan Heritage diamond, discovered last year, sells for US$35,3m, the highest price achieved for a rough diamond. SHODDY - This bridge in Limpopo collapsed after it was built by SGL Engineering Projects - a company linked to ANC Youth League president Julius Malema Kumba Iron Ore cancels its supply agreement with ArcelorMittal SA. Sun International's casino resort in Chile is destroyed by an earthquake. ABROAD The leader of a junta that toppled Niger's president is now transitional head of state. Eric Daniels, CEO of Britain's state-rescued Lloyds Banking Group, refuses his annual bonus of £2,3m. Iceland rejects a proposal to compensate British and Dutch citizens who lost money in the collapse of an Icelandic bank in 2008. Up to 27 Afghan civilians are killed in a Nato air strike. India and Pakistan meet for their first official talks since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Microsoft and Amazon.com agree to a deal that lets each company tap into the other's patent portfolio. French president Nicolas Sarkozy visits Rwanda to open a new chapter with the country, where France stands accused of aiding genocide. The leader of Darfur rebel group the Justice & Equality Movement, Khalil Ibrahim, and Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir sign a ceasefire and power-sharing agreement. Dutch parliamentary elections are to be held on June 9 after the collapse of the government. French air-traffic controllers strike while British and German airlines fend off threats of industrial action. Fitch downgrades the four top Greek banks' rating to the lowest investment status. Dutch sportscar maker Spyker finalises the purchase of Swedish carmaker Saab from General Motors. An Italian court convicts three Google Italy executives in a trial over an Internet video showing a handicapped teenager being bullied. SPORT Sachin Tendulkar hammers 200 not out as India post 401-3 against SA in the second one-day international. After losses for the Sharks, Lions, Stormers and Cheetahs, the Vodacom Bulls save SA from a nightmare as they beat the Waratahs 48-38 at Loftus Versfeld. SuperSport United win a third straight SA Premier Soccer League title.