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/ 2 February 2008

Rebels advance on Chadian capital

Fighting broke out between Chadian rebels and government forces just north of the capital on Saturday, both sides said, as France prepared to evacuate its nationals in the face of the rebel advance. ”Fighting between government forces and rebels has started at about 20km north of Ndjamena,” a military source said.

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/ 2 February 2008

ANC MP backs down on prostitution comments

An African National Congress (ANC) MP on Friday apologised to women for his comments that prostitution be legalised ahead of the Soccer World Cup. ”I wish to submit my profound and unreserved apology to all women of South Africa for the manner in which these comments in the portfolio committee were attributed,” said George Lekgetho.

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/ 2 February 2008

France’s fragile fraudster

Jerome Kerviel, an introverted young city trader, lived on a tree-lined street in Neuilly-­­sur-Seine, a wealthy Paris suburb. Its yuppies live by Nicolas Sarkozy’s mantra "work more to earn more". So when a handsome, well-dressed but solitary young banker rose at dawn every day for work and returned late at night to his one-bedroom flat, neighbours thought his dedication was to be encouraged.

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/ 1 February 2008

ANC eyes improved attendance at Parliament

Dealing with poor attendance by African National Congress (ANC) members at parliamentary and caucus meetings would be one of the year’s priorities, the party’s chief whip said on Friday. Nathi Mthethwa said: ”Inculcating a culture of discipline among some of the organisation’s public representatives in this institution will form part of the priorities.”

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/ 1 February 2008

Alonso dreams of Renault renaissance

Former world champion Fernando Alonso has shrugged off his brief and disappointing flirtation with McLaren, confident that his return to Renault will restore his title credentials. The Spaniard has been welcomed back by the French team, with whom he won back-to-back Formula One world championships in 2005 and 2006, after a disastrous time with McLaren.

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/ 31 January 2008

Chad claims rebels advance towards capital

A Sudanese-backed Chadian rebel column has advanced deep into Chad towards the capital, Ndjamena, in the west, the government said in a statement broadcast by state media on Thursday. A separate security source in Ndjamena said the column of about 300 vehicles had passed through the town of Ati and halted 250km east of Ndjamena.

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/ 31 January 2008

Stunts, dancing — and cars

A game of soccer between cars. A troupe of cars performing ballet. Unbelievable as it may sound, these were some of the events that thrilled audiences at last year’s MPH car show. Now, MPH 2008 ”Live Motoring Theatre” has arrived in South Africa for a second year.