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/ 13 February 2008

Consumers still seen driving SA growth

South Africa’s consumers will continue to fuel economic growth as their incomes increase, a government minister said on Wednesday. Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa told Parliament on Wednesday the economy had gone through structural changes and consumer spending will be resilient.

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/ 13 February 2008

Nationwide strike over pensions cripples Greece

A 24-hour nationwide strike against the Greek government’s economic and pension reforms crippled transport on Wednesday and shut down public services. Thousands of people also gathered in Athens to protest against reforms the ruling conservatives say will make Greece’s economy more competitive and rescue the ailing pension system.

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/ 13 February 2008

Obama riding high after latest triumphs

Barack Obama was riding high on Wednesday after a string of wins gave him a clear edge in the Democratic White House race, leaving Hillary Clinton desperately seeking victories in Texas and Ohio to keep her campaign alive. Obama coasted to crushing victories in Virginia, Maryland and the United Sates capital on Tuesday.

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/ 13 February 2008

Seeds of class war sprout in Kenya’s crisis

Kenya is a land of stark contrast: the rich drive gleaming luxury cars and can afford to enrol their children in top British schools. But most live a hand-to-mouth existence and some Kenyans believe the bloody post-election crisis that has exposed the country’s tribal divisions could also inflame the gulf between classes and further exacerbate instability.

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/ 13 February 2008

ANC rejects opposition calls for a new govt

The African National Congress (ANC) has rejected the call made on Tuesday by the Democratic Alliance for Parliament to be dissolved and new elections held, as well as the call made by the Independent Democrats for the government to resign. A statement issued by the ANC on Wednesday said: ”We believe that such calls have no merit.”

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/ 13 February 2008

Prophet Muhammad cartoon republished

Danish newspapers on Wednesday reprinted one of the 12 drawings of the Prophet Muhammad that caused global Muslim outrage two years ago, to protest against a plot to murder one of the cartoonists. The republication of the cartoon showing Muhammad holding a bomb drew criticism from Muslims, who said it would only stoke anger.

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/ 13 February 2008

New strike hits World Cup venue

Workers at one of the stadiums due to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup have downed tools in the latest pay strike to threaten tight construction deadlines, their union said Wednesday. Work on the Mbombela Stadium outside Nelspruit has been frozen since Monday lunchtime, George Ledwaba of the National Union of Mineworkers said.