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/ 16 February 2006
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniya looked set Thursday to be appointed new Palestinian prime minister as Israel prepared to impose a series of sanctions after the Islamists form a new government. Hamas sources said Haniya, who led the radical movement to a landslide victory in last month’s general election, was clear favourite to be installed as head of government after Saturday’s inaugural session of the new Parliament.
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/ 16 February 2006
A ”vile cocktail” of cancer-causing pollutants has been measured in and around some of South Africa’s industrial centres, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Thursday. He said the country spent more than R4-billion a year on respiratory health problems linked to foul air.
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/ 16 February 2006
A state-appointed commission running Zimbabwe’s fifth largest city of Mutare has ordered property owners in the city to repaint and renovate buildings because the city must look beautiful when it hosts President Robert Mugabe’s 82nd birthday celebrations next week.
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/ 16 February 2006
Zimbabwe has averted expulsion from the International Monetary Fund with a fresh payment on its debt arrears but is far from gaining good standing with the global lender, economists said on Thursday. ”We have got to make a lot of commitments that we will be able to repay new loans and change a lot of political policies that led to our economic problems,” said economist John Robertson.
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/ 16 February 2006
René Préval, who was declared Haiti’s new President on Thursday, has pledged to tackle the Caribbean country’s rampant poverty and seek a national dialogue, though he was yet to announce a clear programme. During his electoral campaign, Préval had asked voters to judge him on his performance during his 1996 to 2001 presidency.
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/ 16 February 2006
The Gautrain route has been finalised and can now be cleared for construction to begin, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa said on Thursday. He said preferred bidder Bombela and the provincial government signed an agreement on Wednesday on issues that could affect the cost of the project.
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/ 16 February 2006
There were two prints of baby murder accused Dina Rodrigues’ right thumb on the back of a waybill found at the scene of the killing, a police fingerprint expert told the Cape Town High Court on Thursday. The evidence from Inspector Jan Bester followed his testimony on Wednesday identifying other prints on the document as being those of two of her co-accused, Sipho Mfawe and Zanethemba Gwada.
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/ 16 February 2006
Curling may not be the most glamorous sport at the Turin Olympics but it certainly brings a refreshing family element to the Games. On entering the Olympic curling venue in Pinerolo you could be forgiven for asking whether a school sports day was in process. The only difference is the kids are cheering on the adults.
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/ 16 February 2006
North Korea on Thursday marked the 64th birthday of leader Kim Jong-Il with a bout of sabre-rattling and a warning that a nuclear stand-off will never be settled unless Washington makes concessions. Pyongyang’s state media said celebrations included exhibitions, performances, seminars, parades and a march to Mount Paikdu.
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/ 16 February 2006
The Nintendo DS handheld video-game machine will work as a portable TV with a data reception card that shows digital broadcast set to start in Japan in April, the company president said on Wednesday. An internet browser feature is also in the works for the machine, which has two screens, including one touch panel.