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/ 27 January 2005
Global food companies are aggravating poverty in developing countries by dominating markets, buying up seed firms and forcing down prices for staple goods including tea, coffee, milk, bananas and wheat, according to a report to be launched on Thursday.
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/ 27 January 2005
The United States on Wednesday suffered its worst day in Iraq since the war began when a marine helicopter crashed in the western desert and insurgents launched a new wave of attacks, leaving a total of 37 Americans dead. US President George Bush declared it ”a sad moment” but called for patience from Americans and courage from Iraqis at Sunday’s elections.
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/ 27 January 2005
The Israeli Defence Minister, Shaul Mofaz, warned on Wednesday that Iran will reach ”the point of no return” within the next 12 months in its covert attempt to secure a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran denies pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
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/ 27 January 2005
Human-rights lawyer Daniel Molokele has found that the Zanu-PF government has set out to hoodwink SADC leaders with reforms he likens to democratic window dressing. He argues that a closer look will show that the concept of a credible election in March is a political mirage.
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/ 27 January 2005
"Some amongst us" (a presidential signature-phrase) who, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, dashed for cover when police fired purple rain at protesters, and rubber bullets and tear gas at funerals and marches in the 1980s, will vouch that he was not a media creation. Some amongst us will know that his history cannot be rewritten to suit a party agenda.
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/ 27 January 2005
What started as secular socialist rule under the Ba’athists ended as a tribal Sunni regime led by Hussein. For centuries they have comprised the ruling class, but since the fall of Hussein everything has changed for Iraq’s Sunni Arabs. This weekend’s elections are likely only to reinforce their disaffection.
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/ 27 January 2005
In a promising development, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, the rebel movement that took up arms against Khartoum in 1983, appears to be giving priority to education. Schooling for girls will receive particular attention. The emphasis on educating girls reflects a larger strategy within the movement to address cultural factors that undermine the status of women.
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/ 26 January 2005
Eight current and former MPs have been served with summonses for repayment of more than R1,3-million in travel claims. The eight are Mnyamazeli Booi, Bangilizwe Solo, Jabu Sosibo, Barbara Thompson, Makatse Maine, Patrick Maloyi, Pemmy Majodina and Buti Mkhaliphi. The summonses were served in Cape Town on Tuesday.
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/ 26 January 2005
The world is expected to pause on Thursday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camps, but the event will largely pass unmarked in South Africa. While not an official event, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies is hosting a function to commemorate the day in Johannesburg on Thursday.