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/ 14 November 2006

Chain-gang economics

”The world is investing too little,” according to one prominent economist. ”The current situation has its roots in a series of crises over the past decade that were caused by excessive investment, such as the Japanese asset bubble, the crises in emerging Asia and Latin America and, most recently, the IT bubble. Investment has fallen off sharply since, with only very cautious recovery.”

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/ 14 November 2006

Defending the laywoman

On a balmy Saturday afternoon in the suburbs, I am strangling a much older woman with a diamond ring in her nose. When I loosen my grip she shows me her arms. “I’ll have to sue my daughter for bruises from you,” she says. “You’re a violent woman.” My sparring partner blames her daughter for sending her to a self-defence workshop facilitated by 7th Dan Black Belt Karate Sensei Sanette Smit, aka Smitti.

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/ 13 November 2006

Heated debate rages over judge’s Shaik denial

Judge Hilary Squires’s denial that he had referred to a ”generally corrupt relationship” between former deputy president Jacob Zuma and Schabir Shaik has no legal implications, said the National Prosecuting Authority on Monday. The denial has led to fierce comment from political parties and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

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/ 13 November 2006

Chad declares state of emergency

Chad’s government declared a state of emergency on Monday in the capital, Ndjamena, and some eastern areas, where raiders on horseback have killed hundreds of villagers in ethnic attacks in recent weeks. The measure included the appointment of special ministers with far-reaching powers for the affected regions.

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/ 13 November 2006

India look to key players for SA tour

India leave for South Africa on Monday night praying their key cricketers deliver on the tough tour, after a string of below-par performances in recent one-day internationals. ”I think we need to get performances from a lot of our key players,” India captain Rahul Dravid said before the team’s departure for the two-month tour.