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/ 21 September 2007

Manuel: Commodity boom won’t last

Commodity-rich African countries should act wisely in order to benefit from the prevailing global boom for the sector, because it will not last, South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has warned. Manuel said in a speech at the University of Namibia that the upswing in commodity prices would ”stay in the short-to-medium term”.

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/ 21 September 2007

Thailand seeks to block YouTube videos again

Thailand is seeking to block clips on YouTube that accuse the chief royal adviser of masterminding last year’s bloodless coup. The government, which lifted a five-month ban on YouTube in August after it agreed to block clips deemed offensive to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was seeking a court order to block two video clips.

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/ 21 September 2007

Strong winds damage De Beers airship

Strong winds damaged a high-tech zeppelin that diamond giant De Beers was using to explore for diamonds in Botswana, the firm said on Friday. Gusting winds detached the airship from its moorings on Thursday near the huge Jwaneng mine and injured a South African crew member inside, a statement said.

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/ 21 September 2007

Mandela unperturbed by latest Bushism

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is alive and well after comments on Iraq by United States President George Bush appear to have been misunderstood, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said on Friday. On Thursday Bush was quoted as saying: ”I heard somebody say, ‘Now where’s Mandela?’ Well, Mandela is dead. Because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas.”

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/ 21 September 2007

SA gets tougher on rapists

Lawmakers in crime-ridden South Africa approved a Bill on Thursday making it harder for rapists to argue for reduced sentences. The Criminal Law Sentencing Amendment Bill bars judges and magistrates from considering a rape victim’s sexual history or an apparent lack of physical injury to justify lessening minimum jail terms.