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/ 17 January 2004

‘SABC cannot be Mbeki’s broadcaster’

Democratic Alliance leaders expressed regret on Friday at communications authorities for granting the SABC more time to respond to complaints of the live coverage of an African National Congress rally last weekend — citing the fact that the Inkatha Freedom Party’s election campaign launch and rally takes place this Sunday.

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/ 17 January 2004

Ayatollah forces US rethink on Iraq poll

The United States signalled on Friday night that it was ready to revise its plans for gradually handing self-rule back to Iraqis, following strong criticism of the process by the country’s most influential Shia cleric. US President George Bush summoned his top official in Iraq, Paul Bremer, for urgent talks on salvaging the US plans.

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/ 17 January 2004

Fans party as Jackson pleads

In a barely audible voice, Michael Jackson on Friday pleaded not guilty to seven charges of lewd behaviour with a minor and two charges of supplying a minor with an intoxicating agent, in a densely packed courtroom in Santa Maria. Jackson was bailed until a hearing next month, but not before he had irritated the judge with his tardiness.

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/ 17 January 2004

Chillis prompt elephants to cool their heels

Elephants and humans have long found themselves at loggerheads in Africa, and Malawi is no exception to this trend. Now, villagers are also exploring a more innovative way of keeping the elephants at bay: the planting of chilli pepper plants. Once harvested and graded, the chillis are sold to European countries.

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/ 17 January 2004

Peterhansel stays in charge of Dakar

Japan’s two-time defending champion Hiroshi Masuoka won the 15th stage of the Dakar Rally on Friday, a 579km marathon drive from Tidjikja. The Mitusbishi driver now holds a nine minutes and 11 seconds margin over French teammate Stephane Peterhansel, who still has a 55 minutes and 53 seconds lead with two days to go.