Africa

Financial News

Eskom Says South African Power Demand Slumps, Company Boosts Maintenance Eskom Holdings Ltd., which supplies almost all of South Africa’s power, expects demand to fall about 13 percent in the next two weeks compared with a year ago, allowing it to boost maintenance programs.

Sappi Defers Decision to Cut European Paper Production, CEO Boettger Says Sappi Ltd. said coated fine paper production in Europe is running at normal levels for January, putting off a decision on a possible second month of cuts.

South Africa Stocks: Anglo American, BHP Billiton, MTN Shares Are Active South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index rose for a sixth day, its longest winning streak since Nov. 4, advancing 615.33, or 2.8 percent, to 22,919.76 in Johannesburg.

Petronas Urged by Ethiopian Rebels to Avoid Exploration in Ogaden Region Petroliam Nasional Bhd. was urged by rebels in Ethiopia’s Ogaden Basin not to resume oil exploration in the eastern region.

South African Rand Falls Against Dollar as Gold Retreats for Fourth Day South Africa’s rand fell against the dollar as the price of gold dropped for a fourth day, reducing earnings prospects for the world’s second-biggest producer of the precious metal.

Ivory Coast Farmers Say Outlook for Country's Cocoa Mid-Crop Is Favorable Cocoa farmers in the Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer of the bean, said the outlook for the coming mid-crop is good if the rains continue.

Uganda Coffee Exports Rose 9.7% in December, Development Authority Says Coffee exports from Uganda, Africa’s biggest producer of the robusta variety, climbed 9.7 percent in December, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority said.

Kenya-Uganda Railway Needs $500 Million Investment Over Next Five Years Kenya and Uganda need to spend $500 million during the next five years to upgrade a rail line running between the two countries, Kenyan Transport Minister, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, said.

General News

Tanzanian Albinos to Get Mobiles to End Witchcraft Murders, Guardian Says Albinos living in Tanzania will receive a free mobile phone and have access to a new police hotline in an effort to end witchcraft-related murders, the Guardian reported, citing police commander Suleiman Kova.

Zimbabwe's Mugabe Invites Opponents to Discuss Formation of New Government Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe wrote to the country’s two main opposition leaders to discuss the formation of a new government, his spokesman said.

Zimbabwe's Cholera Death Toll Increases to 1,732; Rains May Worsen Crisis The death toll from a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe rose to 1,732, the United Nations humanitarian agency said, as the country’s health minister warned the disease may spread with seasonal rains.

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