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/ 4 September 2005
As Germany heads for a bitter general election in two weeks, contradictions, indecision and uncertainty are to be found across the country. Though the standard of living for most of the 80-million-plus population remains extraordinarily high, particularly in wealthy southern states, no one feels comfortable.
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/ 4 September 2005
A Malaysian prison is offering adventurous travellers the chance to experience the joys of prison life — right down to the food and lack of toilets. Johor Baru prison, Malaysia’s oldest, has been turned into a visitor’s centre and is offering an overnight package for 50 ringgit (about R81). But so far there haven’t been any takers.
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/ 4 September 2005
New Zealand’s All Blacks ground out a 34-24 win over an injury-ravaged Australian Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday to win the Tri-Nations series for the sixth time in the 10-year history of the championship. However, it was not the convincing win they had hoped for, despite a commanding forward effort and a 20-0 lead after 20 minutes.
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/ 4 September 2005
The Stallions of Burkina Faso left Bafana Bafana flat-footed at the starting post at the National Stadium in Ouagadougou on Saturday night and inflicted a 3-1 defeat on their bemused opponents, which has all but ruled South Africa out of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in Germany.
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/ 4 September 2005
Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the United States Gulf Coast this week, has incited a storm of enthusiasm among Islamic bloggers who claim the destruction was sent by God to torment the American empire. ”Katrina, a soldier sent by God to fight on our side … the soldier Katrina joins us to fight against America,” said one website.
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/ 4 September 2005
United States President George Bush ordered an extra 17Â 000 troops — including 7Â 000 elite airborne troops and marines — into New Orleans and the devastated Gulf Coast on Saturday to try to bolster the stumbling flood relief effort and salvage the reputation of his presidency.
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/ 3 September 2005
The South African Communist Party has rejected a proposed commission of inquiry into claims of a plot against axed deputy president Jacob Zuma. ”We are not convinced that a commission will adequately deal with these problems,” said SACP spokesperson Kaizer Mohau.
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/ 3 September 2005
There was smooth voter registration countrywide except for isolated technical problems and two service-delivery protest marches, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said. The IEC hoped to register 800 000 eligible voters at about 19 000 points countrywide on Saturday.
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/ 3 September 2005
Floor-crossing, dubbed ”crosstitution”, will lead to the rapid consolidation of a one-party state in South Africa, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi told the party’s 30th annual conference on Saturday. ”Our democracy is crumbling because those in power do not care,” he said.