Flash Briefing: Zim sliding into Venezuela; SA slimes dams also need auditing; Amazon disappoints; Trump wants Xi summit

In today’s global business news headlines: Zimbabwe’s travails are back in the headlights this morning with the Financial Times of London declaring the country is heading for a Venezuela style meltdown. After Amazon’s share price rose strongly ahead of the release of its December quarter’s results, the stock fell in after-hours trading to $1 635 a share, slightly slightly down on Thursday’s close. US president Donald Trump has called for another summit with “my friend”, his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, to put the seal on a reworked trade arrangement between the countries. In South African related news, a fresh challenge is looming for its mining companies after the Church of England Investment body was joined by other fund managers in calling for a thorough review of all slimes dams worldwide.