8

Many noted that the earthquake occurred exactly 88 days before the Beijing Olympics, which opens on August 8 - 8/8/8 - at 8.08pm, in line with Chinese numerology which considers eight a lucky number.

Speculation was heightened on Sunday when China's seismological authority revised up the magnitude of the May 12 earthquake to 8.0 on the Richter scale.

Volcano

Chaiten Volcano Eruption, CHILE 15 May 2008

Mural

Corn starch wave

Mugabe's bosses

Chinese troops are on the streets of Zimbabwean city, witnesses say

By Ian Evans in Cape Town
Saturday, 19 April 2008

Chinese troops have been seen on the streets of Zimbabwe's third largest city, Mutare, according to local witnesses. They were seen patrolling with Zimbabwean soldiers before and during Tuesday's ill-fated general strike called by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Earlier, 10 Chinese soldiers armed with pistols checked in at the city's Holiday Inn along with 70 Zimbabwean troops.

One eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: "We've never seen Chinese soldiers in full regalia on our streets before. The entire delegation took 80 rooms from the hotel, 10 for the Chinese and 70 for Zimbabwean soldiers."

Officially, the Chinese were visiting strategic locations such as border posts, key companies and state institutions, he said. But it is unclear why they were patrolling at such a sensitive time. They were supposed to stay five days, but left after three to travel to Masvingo, in the south.

China's support for President Mugabe's regime has been highlighted by the arrival in South Africa of a ship carrying a large cache of weapons destined for Zimbabwe's armed forces. Dock workers in Durban refused to unload it.

The 300,000-strong South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said it would be "grossly irresponsible" to touch the cargo of ammunition, grenades and mortar rounds on board the Chinese ship An Yue Jiang anchored outside the port.

A Satawu spokesman Randall Howard said: "Our members employed at Durban container terminal will not unload this cargo, neither will any of our members in the truck-driving sector move this cargo by road. South Africa cannot be seen to be facilitating the flow of weapons into Zimbabwe at a time where there is a political dispute and a volatile situation between Zanu-PF and the MDC."

Three million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and more than 3,000 mortar rounds and mortar tubes are among the cargo on the Chinese ship, according to copies of the inventory published by a South African newspaper.

According to Beeld, the documentation for the shipment was completed on 1 April, three days after the presidential vote.

Zimbabwe and China have close military ties. Three years ago, Mr Mugabe signed extensive trade pacts with the Chinese as part of the "Look East" policy forced on him by his ostracising by Western governments over human rights abuses. The deal gave the Chinese mineral and trade concessions in exchange for economic help.

The shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague called on David Miliband to demand a cessation of arms shipments.

A South African government spokesman Themba Maseko said it would be difficult to stop the shipment.

From: www.independent.co.uk

Bakers mini cricket world record!

Mini cricket sets new record
May 15 2008 at 07:31PM

2pm on Thursday marked a pinnacle moment for Bakers Mini Cricket as a new South African Guinness World record was set for the most children playing cricket at one time.

Over 6 000 children between the ages of six and twelve, took part in the mega festival across eight venues, which was planned by Bakers and Cricket SA (CSA) as a celebration to highlight the 25 year anniversary of Bakers Mini Cricket, the longest developmental sport sponsorship in southern Africa.

The festivities started with opening ceremonies attended by a host of dignitaries including local cricketers before the children took to the pitches, to start playing Bakers Mini Cricket at precisely the same time across the eight selected venues including; Johannesburg (Liberty Life Wanderers), Cape Town (Sahara Park Newlands), Paarl (Boland Park), Benoni (Willowmoore Park), Kimberley (De Beers Diamond Oval), KwaZulu-Natal (Sahara Stadium Kingsmead), Port Elizabeth (Sahara Oval St Georges) and Pretoria (Supersport Park).

A dignitary at each event signed off the official documentation to verify the world record claim.

Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's CEO, said: "Setting this world record is a fitting climax to the 25th birthday celebrations of the Bakers Mini Cricket sponsorship.

"Once again, Bakers Mini Cricket has brought fun and joy to thousands of young South Africans, boys and girls. South African cricket owes a big debt of gratitude to Bakers biscuits for its most meaningful contribution to the growth of the game and the development of the nation's youth". - Sapa
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I was a mini cricketer .... bloody long time ago. Was a really great effort, and i'm so pleased they're getting strong.
Way to go boys!!!!!!!!!!!