South Africa

Disarray in polls - 1 million extra ballots printed

Independent Electoral Commission Johannesburg  - South Africa's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said Wednesday evening that an extra 1 million ballot papers were being printed after they ran out in some places, spawning long delays, during the country's fourth democratic national and provincial elections.

With less than 15 minutes to go before voting stations were due to close, an IEC official admitted they had just ordered more ballots, but said they were being printed as a "contingency measure" and had not yet been distributed.

Deccan Chargers set target of 185 for Royal Challengers

Deccan Chargers set target of 185 for Royal ChallengersDeccan Chargers have managed a decent score in IPL T20 against Bangalore Royal Challengers. At a score of 184/6, Deccan Chargers have set a difficult target for Challengers.

Deccan team has been in form during season two and has managed to keep higher rankings while Royal Challengers are still struggling.

Gilchrist elected to bat after winning the toss. His team managed to keep high run rate during the 20 overs.

Proteas spinner Botha says not playing IPL because of faulty bowling action

Proteas spinner Botha says not playing IPL because of faulty bowling actionCape Town (S. Africa), Apr. 22: South African off-spinner Johan Botha has said that he is not playing in the second edition of the Indian Premier League here because of his faulty bowling action.

"There were two or three teams interested in my services, but they could not offer me a contract because of this issue," Sports 24 quoted Botha, as saying.

South Africa votes in fourth general elections since apartheid

South AfricanJohannesburg - South Africans began voting Wednesday in the country's fourth general elections since the end of apartheid, following which controversial African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma is expected to become president.

A little over 23 million people are registered to vote in elections to the 400-seat National Assembly and nine provincial legislatures, 2.4 million more than in the 2004 elections.

The emergence of a new party, the Congress of the People (COPE), from a split in the ANC last year has made these the most exciting since the first euphoric multi-racial elections in 1994.

Eight killed in Colombia gold mine collapse

Eight killed in Colombia gold mine collapseBogota - At least eight miners died and four others were injured in the collapse of a gold mine in northwest Colombia, officials said Tuesday.

Victor Tamayo, governor of Choco province, said the mine was located in a remote, jungle region about four hours from the nearest city.

In a separate incident in the same province, the Attorney General's office confiscated 24 dredges used in illegal gold-mining operations without permits that caused environmental degradation.

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 11 runs

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 11 runsDurban, Apr 21: Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Kings XI Punjab by 11 runs in a rain truncated Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to field first.

Kings XI, which had earlier lost its opening match to Delhi Daredevils, got a poor start when both opener Karan Goel lost his wickets early.

Irfan Pathan, who was promoted up in the order, hit some beautiful shots. He scored 32 runs off 17 balls.

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