But rational calculations are not the only ones that influence public opinion, especially in the supercharged atmosphere of a first-ever referendum in a politically and ideologically divided society.

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Geoffrey Podger, the chief executive of the government's Health and Safety Executive, reckons most trees should be left alone and experts called in to assess obviously rickety ones only in very public places.

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The defence minister, Mr Juwono, says that he would be much happier if in future Admiral Widodo and the military spokesman were the only ones to talk politics in public.

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Fafsa, the only aid formula used by most public colleges and many of the less-selective private ones, does not count the value of a small business.

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He warned politicians have only had "coping responses" to challenges in public services, but urgently need to work on longer-term ones.

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