SOUTH AFRICA

After Maradona confronts angry fans in Dubai, we take a look at five more of the Argentinian legend's most dramatic moments.

Gold prices rose on Friday as the dollar fell to a one-month low against a basket of currencies, including the euro, after European finance ministers agreed to boost the euro zone's debt crisis firewall to roughly 800 billion euros ($1.1 trillion).

The United States stepped up lobbying on Thursday for its pick to retain the top job at the World Bank as emerging markets pushed their view that the time has come for rich nations to share leadership of key institutions.

South Africa's government is to plough $420 million into a public-private platinum venture with Pallinghurst Resources that has ambitions to become the world's third-largest producer of the precious metal.

Palladium prices are set to soar this year, buoyed by high levels of speculative buying, unwavering industrial demand and the general upward price pressure commodity metals are seeing in a zero-interest rate environment, according to a report issued Thursday.

The heads of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, drafted a joint statement attacking American and European aggressive policy actions and dominance of global institutions.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are meeting in Delhi to discuss a range of issues, including increased financial integration of the member countries.

Tibetan protesters clashed with the police as the leaders of five emerging economic powerhouses in the world met at the BRICS 2012 summit, in New Delhi. In an anti-China protest against the presence of Chinese president Hu Jintao in India, Tibetans unfurled the Tibetan flags in a protest rally held at less than a mile from the BRICS summit venue in the Indian capital.

The BRICS nations signed two agreements aimed at promoting trade in local currencies on Thursday. The two agreements, of which one will provide line of credit to the business community, while the other will examine the possibility of setting up a development bank, were signed by officials of the five member countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Reuters reported.

As leaders of the emerging world powers, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) meet today in New Delhi, the focus is on the bloc's efforts to set up a development bank which will bring together resources required for development, especially in the infrastructure sector.

Leaders of the top five emerging world powerhouses, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), will kick off a two-day summit in the Indian capital today, eyeing increased trade cooperation and seeking common ground on the plan to set up a development bank.

Despite their political differences, varied economic clout and undefined association, the meeting between the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is set to highlight the group's growing independence

In an announcement this week, Microsoft said the next version of the Kinect for Windows will be available at the end of May, with a 1.5 version of the software that works with it. The new Kinect for Windows 1.5 will come with a few new features, such as Kinect Studio, which will allow developers to record, playback and debug users' clips.

Within three years, the combined GDP of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is forecast to exceed that of the United States. China is expected to become the world's No. 1 economy by 2027.

The Tibetan man, who set himself ablaze at a demonstration to protest the upcoming visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao, died in a hospital at New Delhi on Wednesday. The protester, a Tibetan exile identified as Jamphel Yeshi, died of third-degree burns at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, hospital sources confirmed.

Prior to the arrival of Chinese president Hu Jintao in the Indian capital of Delhi, a Tibetan activist named Jamphel Yeshi set himself on fire in protest during a demonstration, suffering severe burns that covered most of his body.

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory and Google have published more than 1,900 documents including photographs, hand-written letters, films and more about South Africa's first black president and legendary humanitarian figure. The archive gives people around the world an unprecedented look at the personal life of this political legend.

Rio Tinto PLC said Tuesday it is mulling ways to sell off its diamond operations, as the world's third-largest mining company tries to divest mines it says may no longer fit its growth strategy.

Thousands of letters, photographs and documents relating to former South African President Nelson Mandela went online on Tuesday in a project aimed at increasing access to the archives which detail his long walk to freedom.

Most of the world is interconnected thanks to email and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, according to a new poll released on Tuesday.

Italy's top winemakers are joining forces with the country's luxury goods elite as the world's second-biggest wine producer tries to give itself an edge in the battle for U.S. and emerging market customers amid falling consumption at home.