Irish bankers on trial: first case after banking crisis

From Reuters * 3 charged with providing unlawful financial assistance * Deep public anger with bankers after crash * Bank rescue forced Ireland into bailout Irish bankers on trial: first case after banking crisis By Sarah O’Connor DUBLIN, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Ireland put three former bankers on trial on Friday in its first such case since the financial … Read more

Britain’s FTSE100 falls on Diageo emerging market weakness

* FTSE 100 down 0.4 percent * Diageo knocked by bearish analyst comment * BT top riser as returns to revenue growth By Tricia Wright LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Britain’s top shares fell on Friday, weighed down by spirits company Diageo on bearish analyst comments. The company’s shares fell 1.7 percent, one of the … Read more

Santander: Profits up 90 percent for Europe’s bank giant

From Reuters * Santander 2013 net profit up 90.5 pct at 4.37 bln euros * Q4 2013 profit 1.06 bln eur, below forecasts * Net interest income up 0.12 pct in Q4 from Q3 * Shares up 0.5 percent midafternoon By Sarah White and Jesús Aguado MADRID, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Santander, the euro zone’s biggest bank, nearly doubled annual … Read more

Thousands of exotic reptiles found at OR Tambo

From SAPAAround 1600 neglected reptiles and amphibians were rescued from an OR Tambo International Aiport cargo building, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) said on Friday. NSPCA spokeswoman Ainsley Hay said the animals were discovered during a routine inspection on Wednesday. “The consignment, bound for the United States of America … Read more

Isn't losing terrible?

Pre-season Warm-up Matches – What value do we take from them?

The results of pre-season matches – where teams are still finding their feet, finding players, testing combinations – are rarely of any value to anyone, save a few fans who place great store on winning above all else. By Michael Marnewick And then there are the fans who take great pleasure in making derogatory remarks … Read more

Ian Coles - Meyer Brown - BizNews.com

Corporate action among juniors is where to place 2014 mining bets

The mining industry had a very depressing 2013. Commodity prices were stagnant or falling, global economic growth was barely puttering along, capital was flighty, and a nothing seemed to be going right. 2014 promises to better. Not great. Not a banner year. But better. Global growth is starting to pick up, which is always positive … Read more

Leon Louw - free market Foundation - BizNews.com

Leon Louw on whether Buthelezi will teach his NBF Malema about economics

The Free Market Foundation is an interesting organization – it’s essentially a small, politically active, think tank/lobbying group amalgam that seeks to bring free market ideas into greater circulation in South Africa, as well as to pursue (when it can) court cases and other forms of activism to promote economic freedom. It’s this latter function … Read more

Themba Ngobesa - CEO Casino Association - bizNews.com

Sun International announces 15% to be retrenched; What next for SA casino sector

There’s a well-worn adage that the house always wins. But that’s clearly not the case in South Africa, where casinos are starting to take strain, as recent lay-offs suggest. Themba Ngobese, CE of the Casino Association of South Africa, reckons the reason we’re not gambling enough to keep the house on its winning streak is … Read more

Quinton de Kock - the future of South African cricket?

No de Kock as CSA opt for experience over future ahead of Aus tour

Australia won’t have to face the batting prowess of young Quinton de Kock who has been given the cold shoulder by Cricket South Africa who named a 15 man Test squad to take on Australia in the upcoming three match Test series. By Michael Marnewick With an eye to the future, de Kock’s inclusion would … Read more

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