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/ 27 September 2004
The United Kingdom’s third biggest bank, Barclays, is remaining tight-lipped about any future plans it might have for Absa if it does acquire a controlling stake in the South African bank. Media fishing for further information on Monday were referred to a statement issued by Barclays on Thursday which stated that the process was at an early stage and was subject to due diligence.
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/ 27 September 2004
In these uncertain years at the beginning of the 21st century and Washington’s ”war on terror”, there are qualities middle America demands of a first lady, and Laura Bush seldom disappoints. Poise. Grace. Good manners. Good looks. Those are the admiring comments that follow the presidential spouse on the campaign trail.
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/ 27 September 2004
Saudi authorities do not know how to fine a Saudi restaurant owner who took advantage of an unclear employment law to employ two Saudi women, the London-based al-Hayat newspaper said on Monday. Restaurant owner Nabil Ramadan created a commotion last month in the quiet coastal city of Sihat in eastern Saudi Arabia when news spread that there were women working at his venue.
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/ 27 September 2004
The South African government has issued a statement playing down its stated readiness to serve as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. In a statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Department on Monday, it noted that on Friday South Africa announced its readiness to do so ”and thereby serve the people of Africa and the world”.
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/ 27 September 2004
Global diamond giant De Beers, which is 45% owned by Anglo American, is "cautiously optimistic" on its outlook for diamond jewellery sales after having benefited from estimated growth of 8% in world diamond jewellery sales in the first half of the year.
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/ 27 September 2004
Pope John Paul II on Sunday denounced the ”imbalance” between the world’s rich and poor and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent United Nations initiative to increase funds for development. On Monday, the presidents of Brazil and France encouraged 110 countries to back a new declaration to fight hunger and poverty and to increase funds for development.
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/ 27 September 2004
The British government has been imposing privatisation on developing countries, often with disastrous results, as a condition for granting aid, according to a report to be published this week. The study, undertaken by War on Want, says private sector consultants are earning ”immense sums” from the arrangement.
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/ 27 September 2004
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is likely to issue platinum producers Impala Platinum and Anglo Platinum with 48-hour strike notices on Monday, if the union receives a mandate from its members to proceed with a strike, said NUM deputy Secretary General Archie Palane.
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/ 27 September 2004
Water used to come through the taps in Tabata, a sprawling suburb of whitewashed bungalows in Tanzania’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam. But these days the taps and steel water pipes stand empty in backyards while families send their children to fetch water from a well.
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/ 27 September 2004
Links have been discovered between senior American military officials and the failed coup plot in Equatorial Guinea that has left Mark Thatcher facing trial in South Africa. Theresa Whelan, a member of the Bush administration in charge of African affairs at the Pentagon, twice met a London-based businessman, Greg Wales, in Washington before the coup attempt.