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/ 3 November 2004

How tobacco giant squeezed Blair

Documents obtained by The Guardian newspaper reveal how one of the world’s biggest tobacco companies, British American Tobacco (BAT), put private pressure on British Prime Minister Tony Blair and a Cabinet minister who wanted to hold an inquiry into allegations that the firm was colluding with criminals. Behind Parliament’s back, the head of BAT obtained access to Blair at a private breakfast.

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/ 3 November 2004

There is life after a break-up

I broke up with my partner of 10 years when I was 36, and realised last week that the second anniversary of our divorce had passed by without my noticing. It’s testament to what a positive and liberating experience being single in my late 30s has been, though it didn’t feel that way at first. Splitting up with someone in your 30s doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world. Take your time and new worlds will open up …

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/ 3 November 2004

Globetrotting Els gets PGA’s blessing

Ernie Els will play in the United States and in China, in England and in Australia, during another season of global golf with the blessing of the American PGA Tour. Els’ dispute with the PGA Tour turned out to be a misunderstanding. Only after a meeting on Tuesday morning at East Lake did the Big Easy realise the tour wasn’t demanding he play any more in the United States than he already does.

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/ 3 November 2004

Tiger Woods: ‘The fear factor is gone’

Tiger Woods does not play golf with a ring on his finger. That was the answer to the first question about how things might be different in his first tournament as a married man. But the biggest change was more subtle. Woods began his pro-am round at the Tour Championship on the 10th tee. He usually is the first one off on the first tee, a perk he has been afforded the last five years.

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/ 3 November 2004

So much sport, so little time…

When Hugh Bladen takes his seat in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, it will be to handle, for the 118th time, the television commentary for a rugby Test match in which the Springboks are playing. It will also be his seventh Springbok Test in Cardiff. The first was in 1994, when South Africa played against Wales at the old Arms Park.

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/ 3 November 2004

Chelsea on the move

Chelsea became the first team to assure themselves a berth in the second round of the European Champions League on Tuesday, getting a first-half goal from Arjen Robben for a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow. The victory gave Chelsea four victories in as many games and 12 points atop group H.

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/ 3 November 2004

Supersport aim to beat Swallows

Supersport United hope to become the second club in less than a week to beat Moroka Swallows during their Castle Premiership match at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday, starting at 8pm. The match was initially scheduled for Rand Stadium but was moved to Pretoria after the league decided to close down the Johannesburg venue.

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/ 3 November 2004

Owen is not afraid of Springboks

Newport Gwent Dragons second-row Michael Owen has insisted Wales will not fear Tri-Nations champions South Africa come Saturday’s Test match, despite their last meeting with the Springboks ending in a crushing defeat. ”It is not something to be daunted about,” said Owen on Tuesday ahead of this weekend’s Millennium Stadium match.