T

he International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is training a large number of South African security personnel on the use of radiation detection equipment in preparation for the Soccer World Cup.

The training places particular focus on how to deal with a potential 'dirty' bomb

scare.

Anita Nilsson, head of the office of nuclear security of the IAEA, said security people were highly aware and attentive during large events, but “in the past the nuclear dimension of security may not have been among the main focus points”.

million tons (Mt) in March from 9.5Mt in February. The increase was due to a jump in mostly coal exports out of Richards Bay to 6.3Mt from 4.7Mt. Iron ore exports out of Saldanha eased to 3.6Mt from 4Mt, while fruit and manganese exports out of the other ports slipped to 626 000 tons from 813 000 tons. Bulk exports for the first quarter are up 12.5% y/y. South Africa's surplus with the US narrowed to US$100m in February from $218m in January. The Absa house price index rose by 4.2% y/y in March after a mere 2.8% y/y increase in February. SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (SACCI's) Trade Activity Index (TAI) rose to 56 in March from 54 in February. Nominal motor trade sales had the first y/y increase since December 2008 with a 6.4% y/y rise in December 2009 and this

Volume of bulk exports rose to 10.6

continued in January with a 10.0% y/y jump and a 11.3% y/y climb in February. Real retail sales were steady at a 1.5% y/y decline in both February and January. Real wholesale trade sales growth recovered to a 2.4% y/y decline in February after a 10.9% y/y slump in January. Final phase ticket sales for the Soccer World Cup got off to an administrative shambolic start on 15 April.

–Forecaster Ecosa

Phase II clinical trial of a jointly developed tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate, AERAS-402 /Crucell Ad35, in HIV infected adults.

D

The suppliers aim to test safety and efficacy in adults in Klerksdorp, a gold mining centre in North West province. Aeras-sponsored TB vaccine candidates will be tested for safety in people living with HIV. Among people living with HIV in Africa and Asia, TB is a leading cause of death. People with HIV living in countries with high TB prevalence are 20 times more likely to develop TB than those who are HIV negative. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2009 TB surveillance report, one in four TB deaths globally is HIV related, twice as many as previously recognised. In 2007, there were an estimated 1.4-million new cases of TB among people living with HIV and 456 000 deaths. Some 71% of people with TB in SA are co-infected with HIV. Dr Jaap Goudsmit, Crucell's chief scientific officer, said there were many

PAGE 6 APRIL 2010 MINER’S CHOICE

utch biopharmaceutical company Crucell NV and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation have started a

knock-on effects around the world. The hope was that the disruption would only last days. Many food and medical supply companies rely on air transport for as much as a quarter of their supplies, so we should start seeing shortages shortly. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeks a $15m 'disgorgement' of profits from investment bank Goldman Sachs after it allegedly did not provide investors such as Dutch bank ABN Amro with full disclosure regarding

I

collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) issued in 2007.

potential uses of the new TB vaccine, and it was crucial to test the safety and immune responses in those who have been infected with HIV. “We aim to reduce the global burden of this fatal disease."

Enrollment of study volunteers for the first stage of the Phase II trial has started. In October 2008, the first Phase II study in adults who have had active TB started in South Africa. AERAS-402 has demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. Preliminary data indicate that the candidate vaccine induces CD8-cell immune responses in patients who have completed TB treatment.

The VIX, the so-called “fear factor”, jumped by 21% on 16 April to 19.36 after touching 15.23, its lowest level since July 2007.

Speculative activity has been fuelled by a $380bn drawdown in US money market funds in the past 15 weeks. China's industrial production growth slowed to 18.1% y/y in March from 20.7% y/y in the first two months of the year. –Forecaster Ecosa

celand's volcanic ash has severely disrupted air traffic in Europe with Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32