Staff Reporter
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/ 25 October 2006

ICC turns to chemicals to limit impact of dew

The International Cricket Council (ICC) used a chemical spray to reduce the impact of dew on Wednesday’s Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and New Zealand, saying it was in the interests of a fair contest. Excessive dew late in the evening often tilts the balance in favour of teams batting second in day-night matches.

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/ 25 October 2006

Zimbabwe waters down new mining law

Foreign mining firms in Zimbabwe may be allowed to retain their majority shareholding as a reward for their contribution to the development of local communities under amendments to proposed new legislation. The government announced in March plans for a law to compel foreign firms to hand over 51% of their equity to local investors.

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/ 25 October 2006

Future looks bright for Mark Hughes

Chelsea visit Ewood Park on Wednesday in the Carling Cup and the match marks Mark Hughes’s 100th game in charge and the club are making rapid progress. Norway international Morten Gamst Pedersen (25) has become a fixture in the side since the former Wales boss took over in September 2004. He said: ”I think Mark Hughes will get a big club some day because of the good work he is doing here.”

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/ 25 October 2006

Canny cyber-sleuthing nets online fraud suspect

The Scorpions have arrested a Cape Town man suspected of hacking bank accounts using sophisticated keystroke-logging technology. The 28-year-old man was arrested after a joint operation between the Scorpions, Standard Bank and a United Kingdom-based security consultancy, which traced the man through his prepaid SIM card on his cellphone, Standard Bank said on Wednesday.

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/ 25 October 2006

Appeal judges still working on Shaik case

The five judges who heard the appeal of convicted Durban businessman Schabir Shaik are working non-stop on the judgement, a Supreme Court of Appeal spokesperson said on Wednesday. ”The judges are very busy finalising the judgement,” Henry Snyman said. ”There is a possibility that it could be finished towards the middle of November.”

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/ 25 October 2006

Chad blames Sudan for new rebel assault

Chad on Wednesday accused Sudan of supporting Chadian rebels who have resumed military operations in the east of the country, citing as proof the firing of a ground-to-air missile at a French military plane. ”These rebels … could only have procured this type of military equipment within the sight of … Sudanese authorities,” Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmat Allami said.

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/ 25 October 2006

Microsoft offers Vista upgrade coupons

Microsoft announced on Tuesday a plan to give holiday-season computer buyers discounts on upgrades to its Vista operating system and new-generation Microsoft Office suite due out next year. The software giant’s aim was to overcome reservations of shoppers inclined to strip their year-end gift lists of products based on soon-to-be outdated Microsoft software.