Staff Reporter
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/ 29 February 2008

Man attempts to torch ANC headquarters

Luthuli House — headquarters of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) — was evacuated on Friday after a man tried to torch the building, the party said. ANC spokesperson Steyn Speed said that the man entered the door of the building at about 10.30am, poured petrol on the floor and set it alight.

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/ 29 February 2008

Oil price strikes record high above $103

The price of New York crude oil hit an all-time high point of $103,05 per barrel on Friday owing to record weakness of the dollar, but then fell back, traders said. And the price of gold reached an historic peak of $976,32 per ounce. "This was part of a broad-based commodities run based on the continued weakness of the dollar," said Petromatrix analyst Olivier Jakob.

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/ 29 February 2008

Rival taxi groups in shoot-out on N1 highway

Police had to land a helicopter near the Rivonia Road off-ramp on the N1 highway in Johannesburg on Friday morning to stop a shoot-out between two rival taxi associations. A taxi driver was shot dead in the gun battle. Members involved in the shoot-out moved away from the scene when police arrived. However, 13 people were arrested.

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/ 29 February 2008

Hurricanes try blitz sinks the Chiefs

The Wellington Hurricanes beat the Waikato Chiefs 39-19 with a six-try blitz in their Super 14 rugby clash on Friday. The Hurricanes finally played to their potential as they eliminated the errors that had plagued their opening two matches. They started with a roar and their wide running game ensured the bonus-point fourth try within 25 minutes.

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/ 29 February 2008

How young is too young?

Thirteen-year-old British diver Tom Daley is set to compete at the Olympic Games in Beijing later this year. His age has raised the question of whether there should be should be an age limit for competing at the Games? Two prominent sports people offer their opinions.

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/ 29 February 2008

Petrol price to rocket by 61c a litre

The retail price of all grades of petrol will increase by 61 cents per litre on Wednesday March 5 after increasing by 17 cents a litre last month, the Department of Minerals and Energy announced on Friday. The retail price of a litre of 95 octane unleaded petrol in Gauteng increases to R8,25, and to R8,01 at the coast — new highs.

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/ 29 February 2008

Minister: Job cuts at mines unavoidable

South African Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica has confirmed that job losses at mines are unavoidable, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday. Sonjica said this became apparent at Thursday’s meeting with labour unions and the Chamber of Mines, but she would not disclose the number of job losses that will take place.