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/ 25 October 2005

Spanish look into death of Nigerian first lady

A Spanish judge on Monday ordered forensic scientists to determine whether Stella Obasanjo, wife of the Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, died because a cosmetic surgery operation went wrong. Obasanjo (59) was rushed to a hospital emergency room in Marbella early on Sunday after an operation, reportedly to reduce weight, at the town’s Molding Clinic.

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/ 25 October 2005

Nigeria to plug ‘safety loopholes’ after air crash

Nigeria is to review the safety of the ageing fleet of passenger jets operated by its small private airlines following a crash which killed 117 people, President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Tuesday. An investigation has been launched to find out why a Bellview Airlines Boeing 737 plunged to the ground and disintegrated shortly after taking off from Lagos on Saturday.

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/ 25 October 2005

Malawi suspends besieged Parliament

Malawi has temporarily suspended its Parliament after a violent protest by supporters of embattled President Bingu wa Mutharika, who faces the threat of impeachment. Speaker Louis Chimango suspended Parliament late on Monday after demonstrators smashed at least five cars belonging to opposition lawmakers.

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/ 25 October 2005

Major Coega investment announced

A R1,1-billion investment in the Coega industrial development zone — in the form of a chlorine refinery project and desalination plant — was announced on Tuesday. Straits Chemicals, a joint South-East Asian and South African company, will run the project in the zone in the Port Elizabeth area.

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/ 25 October 2005

Welcome to penal colony YaG 14/10

Four thousand nine hundred and sixty kilometres from Moscow, the rough stone track crests a rise and all is revealed. Hunched on the open steppe stands a group of tatty grey buildings, swept by plumes of dust. Welcome to Krasnokamensk, a town at the edge of civilisation.

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/ 25 October 2005

Christmas has come … and it is only October

Tinsel, toys, mince pies and marzipan — Christmas has truly invaded Britain and it is only October. But retailers insist the demand is out there, with some selling festive gear from as early as August. Many customers, however, moan that it is far too soon and that Santa Claus in a shop window in September spoils the magic of Christmas for the children.