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/ 26 October 2006

Perceptions are everything

Despite real passion, desire and, most importantly, sound planning to make 2010 the best World Cup yet, perhaps South Africa’s biggest challenge in the lead-up to 2010 lies in courting the myopic international media who have, in part, already written off the country’s chances of hosting a successful tournament — despite all evidence to the contrary.

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/ 26 October 2006

Fears of all-out war fuelled in Somalia

A powerful Islamist movement has seized control of a strategic trading post in southern Somalia, expanding its territorial control and fuelling fears of an all-out war with government troops, residents and militia commanders said on Thursday. The Islamists said the township, which straddles three regions, had fallen without bloodshed, according witnesses.

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/ 26 October 2006

Cabinet announces progress in reviving Aids body

Much progress is being made in revamping the South African National Aids Council and boosting the fight against HIV/Aids, government communications head Themba Maseko said on Thursday. The revised comprehensive plan to combat and manage HIV/Aids is now being finalised, he told journalists after Cabinet’s fortnightly Wednesday meeting.

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/ 26 October 2006

Massive cocaine haul washes up on Iberian beaches

More than 600kg of cocaine of unknown origin has washed up on Portuguese and Spanish beaches in the past month, the Lusa news agency reported on Thursday, quoting a Portuguese navy spokesperson. About 30 packages of 22kg each have been found, Commander Bras e Melo said, adding that they were thought to have been thrown overboard by drug-smugglers who panicked.

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/ 26 October 2006

The PC is dead, long live the cellphone

Consumer spending is showing signs of faltering in some major economies — but no one has told the cellphone industry, which is now flying without wings. In the quarter ending September sales volume rose by 21% compared with a year ago, with ”smart” phones — which have music, video and other functions — rising by well over 50%.

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/ 26 October 2006

King of bling

Trevor Manuel is spoilt for choice. Booming tax revenues, aggressive debt repayments and 10 years of fiscal prudence have set him up with an unprecedented range of options. On the 10th anniversary of his first medium-term budget policy statement he reminded journalists of what he said then: ”To govern is to choose.”

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/ 26 October 2006

SAA adds more flights on domestic routes

South African Airways (SAA) is to add extra flights to certain of its domestic routes over the holiday season due to huge demand from customers. The airline experienced its busiest month in September, having carried a record total of 704 000 passengers on its domestic, regional and international flights.