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/ 30 October 2006

New political party launched in Lesotho

Thousands of people attended the launch of a new political party in the tiny African kingdom of Lesotho on Sunday, with its leader pledging to spearhead a war on poverty. Tom Thabane, a former foreign minister who quit Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s government earlier this month, told supporters of the All Basotho Convention that it was a time for a change.

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/ 29 October 2006

Police open fire as Congolese vote

Police killed two rioters in poll violence on Sunday as the Democratic Republic of Congo voted in a presidential run-off intended to end decades of war and pillage that have left the country devastated despite its mineral riches. The governor of the northerly Equateur province, Yves Mobando, told Reuters: ”Two people were killed when the police opened fire to disperse the crowds.”

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/ 29 October 2006

‘Visionary’ Khoza to be missed

The ”visionary attitude” of prominent South African businessman Humphrey Khoza would be missed, a long-time friend said on Saturday after his death in a car crash on Friday night. So too would his kindness and open-mindedness, said Zanele Nhlayisi, who was appointed spokesperson for the Khoza family.

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/ 29 October 2006

Blatter apologises to Australian fans

Fida boss Sepp Blatter has apologised to Australian fans — saying the Socceroos should have played in this year’s World Cup quarterfinal instead of eventual champions Italy. Australia’s players and fans were outraged when Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo awarded Italy a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Lucas Neill had brought down Fabio Grosso.

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/ 29 October 2006

Congress battle sinks into the dirt

With less than two weeks to go in a bitterly fought campaign, the United States’s midterm elections have turned into one of the dirtiest and most negative fights in recent history. A slew of ”attack ads” has hit airwaves across the nation as rival candidates seek to claw back points in the polls.

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/ 29 October 2006

Google defiant over censorship in China

Google is to enter the political arena in this week when it debates freedom of speech, intellectual property rights and how to connect Africa to the internet at a United Nations conference. The Silicon Valley giant will attempt to position itself as a force for change that can finance web entrepreneurs in the developing world and champion the rights of consumers against ”over-zealous” copyright laws.

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/ 29 October 2006

Pietersen shines in thrilling win for England

A sparkling unbeaten 90 by Kevin Pietersen led England to a thrilling three-wicket victory over holders West Indies in their final Champions Trophy Group A match on Saturday. Pietersen helped England chase down a difficult target under lights, finishing on 276 for seven with nine balls remaining to record their first win of a disappointing tournament.

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/ 29 October 2006

Lula set to win Sunday’s poll, needs unity

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to clinch victory in a run-off election on Sunday but will have to forge national reconciliation after an acrimonious campaign. Lula is expected to win over former São Paulo state governor Geraldo Alckmin with about 61% of the vote, with 39% going to Alckmin two polls showed on Saturday.

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/ 29 October 2006

Egypt moves 5 000 troops near Gaza border

Egypt moved 5 000 more security forces near the Gaza Strip border on Saturday after an Israeli report said Israel may bomb tunnels used for smuggling weapons into Palestinian territories, an Egyptian official said. Israel says it has been unable to control weapons smuggling into Gaza since it withdrew its forces from the coastal strip last year.