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/ 14 April 2006

Spadea advances in US clay court champs

Vince Spadea of the United States reached the quarterfinals of the ATP US Clay Court Championships on Thursday as an ailing Marcos Baghdatis retired from their second-round clash. Baghdatis, the surprise Australian Open runner-up, was trailing 6-2, 3-1 when he called it quits, complaining of a nerve problem in his lower back.

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/ 14 April 2006

Nedbank: Rates decision was ‘best option’

The governor of the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged appeared the best option in the current circumstances, Nedbank said on Thursday. The bank said the main worries were persistently high global oil prices, continued robust growth in domestic spending, surging credit demand and the alarming rise in household debt.

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/ 14 April 2006

Mwanawasa recovering from stroke in London

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa is recovering from a minor stroke at an unspecified London hospital, state-run radio reported on Thursday. Government spokesperson Vernon Mwaanga confirmed for the first time on Thursday the reason for Mwanawasa’s hospital visit and told national radio the president was steadily improving.

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/ 14 April 2006

Chad regime under threat after attack

N’Djamena appeared calm on Friday, the day after clashes between government forces and rebels seeking to oust President Idriss Déby. Forces loyal to Déby, identifiable by their red ribbons, were deployed in various parts of the city, in particular around the presidential palace, but the number of military vehicles deployed was smaller than the day before.

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/ 14 April 2006

Beatles songs pay off debt for Jackson

The long and winding road of Michael Jackson, from King of Pop to strange recluse with cash troubles, has led to a deal that will help avert his bankruptcy in exchange for a slice of music history — his share in the Beatles’ catalogue. Under a deal due to be completed last night, Jackson would offer Sony the option to buy half of his 50% share in the Sony/ATV Music catalogue.

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/ 14 April 2006

General joins attack on Rumsfeld over Iraq war

The Pentagon on Thursday faced a deepening rift between its civilian and military leadership over the war on Iraq after a fourth retired general called for the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, to stand down. Major General John Batiste, who led a division in Iraq, said Rumsfeld’s authoritarian leadership style had made it more difficult for professional soldiers.

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/ 14 April 2006

Telling it like it’s not

I have not yet seen the film <i>Tsotsi</i>, but last week I read my page-mate John Matshikiza’s strong reservations about the adaptation of the 1950s novella on which the film is based. Director Gavin Hood modernised the story, setting it in a contemporary South Africa. Matshikiza says much of the drama and authenticity have thus been disowned.