Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has played down the significance of a coming referendum on nuclear power, seen as his next big test with voters after the past week’s crushing local election defeats.
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Pope champions marriage, family |
Pope Benedict XVI has urged Catholics to courageously defend the traditional family but drew criticism over his visit to the tomb of a Croatian cardinal controversial because of his World War II role. |
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Scientists close in on anti-matter |
Scientists said yesterday that they had trapped and stored anti-hydrogen atoms for a record 16 minutes, a stunning technical feat that promises deeper insights into the mysteries of antimatter.
Particles and anti-particles annihilate each other in a flash of energy when they collide.
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Portugal votes in shadow of bailout and recession |
Portuguese voters went to the polls yesterday to elect a government that will lead the nation through a time of deep austerity and recession after it received a 78bn-euro bailout from the European Union and the IMF. |
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Macedonia heads to the polls |
Macedonia voted yesterday in a parliamentary election overshadowed by accusations of campaign intimidation and fraud that could threaten the country’s efforts to join the European Union. |
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Slovenians decide on crucial reform |
Slovenians vote yesterday in a crucial referendum on pension reform that could spell trouble for both the eurozone member’s public finances and the government of Prime Minister Borut Pahor. |
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‘Ma’ Sisulu to be buried Saturday |
Anti-apartheid activist Albertina Sisulu, one of the last contemporaries of Nelson Mandela, will be buried on Saturday in Soweto township southwest of Johannesburg, the presidential office said yesterday. |
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Aussie flood costs blow out to $7bn |
The damage bill from massive floods which hit northeastern Australia this year will likely be A$6.8bn (US$7.3bn) - A$1bn more than previously thought - an official said yesterday. |
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