Reuters Africa http://africa.reuters.com/ Reuters Africa website containing news, features, photographs and results. en Copyright 2007, Reuters PLC Sat, 17 May 2008 08:43:29 GMT Sat, 17 May 2008 08:43:29 GMT ops@coreware.co.uk ops@coreware.co.uk OPEC will not raise output, says Iran minister http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN729653.html TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran dismissed on Saturday Saudi Arabia's decision to boost oil output as a "political move" and said any OPEC production hike would only lead to an increase in reserves, an Iranian news agency said. usnBAN729653 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:15:11 GMT Wall St ends flat as energy gains offset sentiment http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN730842.html NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks finished little changed on Friday as surging oil prices lifted energy shares and offset data that showed consumer confidence sank to its lowest in 28 years. usnBAN730842 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:35:29 GMT US consumer grim as stagflationary 80s; housing mixed http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN730682.html NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence tumbled to a 28-year low this month as rising prices strained household finances, while another drop in single-family housing starts underscored problems still plaguing the economy. usnBAN730682 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:33:43 GMT Dollar slides on bearish US consumer confidence data http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN731287.html NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar fell on Friday as a plunge in U.S. consumer confidence raised concerns about an economic contraction in the second quarter and trimmed the chances the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year. usnBAN731287 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:42:19 GMT Aluminum, zinc jump on China infrastructure fears http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN730975.html LONDON (Reuters) - Aluminium and zinc prices jumped on Friday amid mounting fears over supplies from China and worries about infrastructure in Sichuan province after a devastating earthquake there this week. usnBAN730975 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:38:36 GMT US changes course, bars drilling in Arctic wetland http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN730378.html ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - The Bush administration on Friday proposed keeping potentially oil-rich wetlands in Arctic Alaska off-limits to drilling because of their ecological sensitivity, a reversal of its earlier plan. usnBAN730378 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:27:12 GMT Gold crosses $900 on oil, platinum eyes Johnson Matthey http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN653181.html LONDON (Reuters) - Gold jumped to its highest level in three weeks above $900 an ounce on Friday after oil struck another record and the dollar dropped against the euro. usnBAN653181 Fri, 16 May 2008 14:45:13 GMT S.Africa rand hits 11-week high to dollar, stocks edge up http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN658682.html JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand firmed to an 11-week high against the dollar on Friday, boosted by improved risk appetite on world markets, while stock markets also edged higher. usnBAN658682 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:18:23 GMT FTSE rises to 4-month closing high, spurred by oil http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN658308.html LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's benchmark index rose 0.8 percent on Friday to hit its highest closing level in four months as surging crude prices pumped oil shares higher, while bid activity powered British Energy. usnBAN658308 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:12:17 GMT Oil rallies to new high near $128 http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN656196.html LONDON (Reuters) - Oil shot to a record high near $128 on Friday after Goldman Sachs, the most active investment bank in energy markets, raised sharply its forecast for prices. usnBAN656196 Fri, 16 May 2008 14:36:50 GMT