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/ 14 January 2008

Malawi ends ties with Taiwan in favour of China

Malawi has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan after 41 years and established links with China, which has become a major economic power in Africa. ”We have decided to switch from Taiwan to mainland China after careful consideration of the benefits that we will be getting from mainland China,” Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda told a press conference on Monday.

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/ 14 January 2008

More power cuts this week, says Eskom

Power cuts resumed on Monday and would continue nationally for the rest of the week, Eskom said. Eskom’s media desk said some areas might experience power cuts up to twice a day, for up to two-and-a-half hours at a time. Eskom needed to reduce demand for electricity in order to stabilise the electricity system nationally, the power utility’s statement said.

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/ 14 January 2008

SA receives housing boost from Ireland

The Irish government has approved a €5-million grant (about R50-million) for building township houses in South Africa. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern announced details of the grant in Cape Town on Monday during an official visit aimed at, among other things, monitoring projects funded by Irish Aid, a government development agency.

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/ 14 January 2008

Keegan mulls Newcastle return

Former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has indicated he could be interested in a new spell in charge at the club. Speculation has been rife over who the new coach of Newcastle would be since last week’s sacking of Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp’s decision to remain at Portsmouth.

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/ 14 January 2008

Pistorius barred from Beijing Games

South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius, who runs with carbon-fibre blades attached to his legs, will not be allowed to compete at this year’s Beijing Olympics. A report commissioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations and released on Monday concluded that the prosthetics used by Pistorius gave him a significant advantage.

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/ 14 January 2008

Kenya govt rejects Annan mediation in crisis

The Kenyan government on Monday rejected a mediation mission by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan to try to end political unrest and sent a stern warning to the opposition ahead of nationwide protests. Two weeks after President Mwai Kibaki’s contested re-election sparked violence that has left hundreds dead, Annan was due in Nairobi.

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/ 14 January 2008

Charges against Gerrie Nel withdrawn

Charges against Gerrie Nel, the head of the Directorate of Special Operations, or the Scorpions, in Gauteng, were withdrawn in the Pretoria Regional Court on Monday. ”After careful consideration of the evidence in the docket, the decision was made to withdraw the charges,” chief prosecutor Matric Lupondo said during Nel’s brief appearance.