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/ 14 September 2004

Beckham set to come out fighting

Real Madrid will try to revive memories of their last glorious moment on the Champions League stage when they face German side Bayer Leverkusen away in their first match of this season’s tournament on Wednesday. David Beckham will be looking to build on his fine free kick in the 1-0 victory over Numancia on Saturday.

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/ 14 September 2004

Who’s who on the Afghan election list

After two false starts because of security concerns, official campaigning for the Afghan presidential elections began last week. Candidates have started making speeches, distributing posters and advertising on radio ahead of the polls, which will take place on October 9. As campaigning begins, we take a closer look at the the key issues, including the candidates and the current security situation.

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/ 14 September 2004

Zimbabwe turns back the clock

In this nation that once boasted one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most vibrant economies, things have become so bad that people have taken to telling a wry joke: ”What did we have before candles?” The answer: ”Electricity.” Four years of turmoil have turned back the clock here. Ambulances are drawn by oxen. Hand-guided cattle plows have replaced farm machinery.

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/ 14 September 2004

Scourging corporate America

Sean Harrigan has made powerful enemies. As president of Calpers, the United States’s largest public pension fund, he is a thorn in the side of corporate America, taking on some of its best-known and biggest egos. Earlier this year Calpers led the call for the resignation of beleaguered Walt Disney boss Michael Eisner. It was also pivotal in ousting the former New York Stock Exchange chief over his eye-popping salary.

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/ 14 September 2004

Lomu aims for All Blacks again

It was a tragic sight. Jonah Lomu, once the man who struck fear into rugby defenders, shuffling to the stage with the aid of his wife. Six months after that appearance at the Halberg Awards in Christchurch, the transformation is breathtaking. The chiselled physique is back, and so is the glint in the eye.

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/ 14 September 2004

Swiss give up on hosting Winter Olympics

Zurich officials pulled the plug on a joint Swiss bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics on Tuesday because the city will be unable to afford its portion. The bid was to be shared with the cantons of Graubuenden and Schwyz in eastern and central Switzerland, but Zurich’s withdrawal ended any possibility of making a submission.

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/ 14 September 2004

New Zealand cricketers charged for autographs

New Zealand cricketers responded to pressure from ”an autograph industry” in England by charging some people for signing bats on their tour in June and July, officials confirmed on Tuesday. Only after discovering many of the objects they were signing were being sold commercially, the team formed a policy of charging for autographs on specific items, New Zealand Cricket said.

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/ 14 September 2004

Expect cheering, and not just for the good shots

Vijay Singh and Mike Weir provided a preview of the Ryder Cup, even though neither will be playing at Oakland Hills this week. There was deafening noise, so loud that Weir had to force a yawn to pop his ears when he got to the tee. The pressure was so great that Weir felt the weight of a nation riding on his every shot at the Canadian Open, where about 40 000 fans were eager to celebrate one of their own claiming the championship for the first time in 50 years.

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/ 14 September 2004

Ponting relies on his four ‘quicks’

Australian captain Ricky Ponting is backing his four pace bowlers to blast a way through to the ICC Champions Trophy final. Ponting went into the opening group match with the quartet of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie and was rewarded with the nine-wicket demolition of the United States.