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/ 5 July 2005

Deputy president wants less of ‘his story’

The country’s first female deputy president had a group of women in the palm of her hand as she elaborated on Tuesday on daily tribulations facing the fairer sex, at a conference on gender issues. There were murmurs of agreement and some giggles as Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka painted a picture of the day in the life of an average woman.

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/ 5 July 2005

Business confidence rises — for now

Although the business confidence index of the South African Chamber of Business increased in June to its highest level so far this year, there are economic developments that could adversely affect future confidence, the chamber said. The index increased to 128,2 in June this year from 127 in May.

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/ 5 July 2005

Bananas among world’s new energy sources

From bananas to wind farms, alcohol and the sun, the search for alternative energy sources has taken on a new urgency as oil prices hit record levels. Ideas once seen as the preserve of fringe environmental groups are getting more attention, but flicking most switches in cars, homes or industries in Asia still means tapping into fossil fuels.

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/ 5 July 2005

Exam to bring glory to Japan’s geek elite

A Japanese publisher will hold a national qualifying exam for nerds on their knowledge of comics, video games and other obsessive hobbies in a bid to smash prejudice and nurture a geek elite. Magazine <i>Elfics</i> is published every other month to offer information on the culture of the <i>otaku</i>, or men fanatic about their pastimes.

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/ 5 July 2005

Former rebel group wins Burundi elections

A former rebel group in Burundi has won the majority of seats in the first parliamentary elections in the war-ravaged Central African nation in 12 years, the top election official said on Tuesday. The Forces for the Defence of Democracy won between 60% and 80% of the polling stations in Monday’s election.