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/ 1 February 2008

Clinton, Obama make peace with eye on history

Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton shared a debate stage alone for the first time on Thursday, striking a cordial tone and highlighting their opportunity to make history as the next United States president. ”Just by looking at us, you can tell we aren’t more of the same,” said Clinton, a New York senator who would be the first woman US president.

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/ 1 February 2008

SA, Senegal crash out of Cup

Senegal and South Africa were eliminated from the African Nations Cup after a 1-1 draw in their last Group D match in Kumasi on Thursday. Both teams needed a win to revive slim hopes of reaching the last eight but finished behind Tunisia and Angola in the standings.

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/ 1 February 2008

China snow leaves millions in cold and dark

Millions of Chinese faced a humanitarian crisis on Friday, as petrol and food reserves dwindled and yet more bad weather was forecast for a country paralysed by record-breaking cold and snow. More than 160 counties and cities in central China were suffering blackouts and water shortages, Xinhua news agency said.

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/ 1 February 2008

Power needs a new mantra

"Get out … of your own way!" said the transcendental meditation guru Maharishi. TM devotees believe that their daily dive into "pure consciousness" is the ultimate form of renewable energy. Alec Erwin might want to sign up for a course because at present we are in danger of consolidating the very policy choices that got us into this mess.

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/ 1 February 2008

Pay-TV as soap opera

South Africa’s broadcasting regulator, Icasa, is under fire from all sides after the launch of what it terms a rogue broadcaster — and with potential legal challenges mounting. When Icasa licensed five subscription broadcasters in September last year, the introduction of competition to the sector was heralded as a milestone.

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/ 1 February 2008

Milking it

Following hot on the heels of the competition authorities’ investigation into price fixing in the bread industry comes the announcement that dairy processors are set to appear in the dock for collusion. The Competition Tribunal announced this week that it would be holding a pre-hearing into alleged collusion by eight dairy processors next Thursday, during which evidence will be assessed and hearing dates set.

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/ 1 February 2008

Harmony to axe thousands

Last week’s Eskom blackout and the“stability pact” that will reduce theutility’s power supply to South Africa’s mines by 10% have forced mining companies to take stringent cost-cutting measures, including retrenchments. The Mail & Guardian has established that the mining group with the most marginal operations, Harmony, plans to retrench 10% of its 43 000-strong workforce.