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/ 18 January 2006

Two Thais sentenced for murder of British tourist

A Thai court on Wednesday sentenced two men to death for the rape and murder of a 21-year-old British tourist, amid political pressure over fears for the country’s post-tsunami tourism industry. The judges said DNA evidence linking fishermen Bualoy Kothisit (23) and Wichai Sonkhaoyai (24) to the crime could not be disputed, describing the defendants as ”inhuman”.

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/ 18 January 2006

Wesley Moodie has the blues

South Africa’s Wesley Moodie would love another crack at world number two Andy Roddick in different match conditions after going out of the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 26-year-old giant matched serves with the fastest server in men’s tennis, but rued crucial unforced errors as he was knocked out 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

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/ 18 January 2006

Engineer kidnapped, 10 killed in Baghdad ambush

An engineer from Malawi was kidnapped and 10 people, including bodyguards and drivers, were killed in an ambush on Wednesday in western Baghdad, an interior ministry official said. A three-vehicle convoy of personnel working for the Iraqna mobile telephone network was attacked by gunmen in a tunnel, the official said, adding that the dead included seven bodyguards and three drivers.

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/ 18 January 2006

A taxing new year

Over the past year, the finance minister has made a number of tax changes that will have a material impact on taxable incomes. While you may be celebrating lower tax rates, the government is starting to squeeze the items that can be used as tax deductions, including medical aid contributions and travel allowances.

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/ 18 January 2006

Tokyo bourse closes to prevent system crash

The Tokyo Stock Exchange closed early on Wednesday for the first time ever to prevent a system crash from heavy trading volumes as investors took fright at claims of fraud at internet trailblazer Livedoor. The exchange operator suspended trading in all shares 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled close of Asia’s largest bourse.

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/ 18 January 2006

Serena turns on the heat as Lindsay wobbles

Serena Williams confounded her critics with a dominating display in the Australian Open on Wednesday but world number one Lindsay Davenport wobbled before booking her third round berth. Williams, the defending champion, has looked out of shape and out of form in the lead up to the tournament but put in a determined performance against Camille Pin of France, winning 6-3, 6-1 in just 49 minutes.