Africa will be well-placed to weather a global economic downturn if it uses high oil and commodities prices to diversify its economies, one of the continent’s most successful businessmen said in an interview. Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote said the world’s poorest continent could benefit while developed nations suffered an economic slowdown.
A South Korean jewel thief who said he was inspired by the 1996 hit movie <i>Mission: Impossible</i> found his crime really was impossible when he triggered an alarm system, a report said on Tuesday. The man, identified only as Weon, used a hacksaw and screwdriver to break through the roof of a Seoul jewellers’ shop and then lowered himself by rope.
Drivers hooted their way through Mumbai’s first no-honking day on Monday, ignoring efforts to cut the ear-splitting cacophony of life in India’s most bustling city. Residents said they were unable to heed the police appeal to reduce the din because they could not make their way through the usual snarled traffic.
Fierce fighting raged on Tuesday as United States and Iraqi forces battled heavily armed Shi’ite militiamen in their Baghdad bastion of Sadr City for a third straight day, a correspondent and witnesses said. They said fierce clashes erupted soon after midnight as American tanks attempted to push into Sadr City.
The Sharks’ reserve forward, Epi Taione, has been suspended for six weeks for headbutting a Wellington Hurricanes player in their Super 14 rugby clash on the weekend. Taione was sent off by referee Paul Marks for headbutting Hurricanes forward Jeremy Thrush in a maul during the Wellington match, which ended in a 13-13 draw.
Sunderland manager and former Manchester United star Roy Keane plans to complete his coaching badges with the All Blacks. Keane is studying for his European Football Association pro-licence, which is an obligatory qualification for managers in the English Premier League. As part of the course, students are required to spend time in another sport.
Arsene Wenger bullishly insisted that Arsenal would take the next step towards a league and European Cup double by beating Liverpool in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Anfield on Tuesday. Wenger’s side arrive on Merseyside having failed to overcome Rafael Benitez’s side in the first leg.
Golf superstar Tiger Woods takes aim at a fifth US Masters crown this week amid breathless speculation that it could be the first step toward a once-unimaginable Grand Slam. ”I think he’s the only player capable of doing that,” American Steve Stricker said on Monday as the world’s best golfers began their preparations for the first Major championship of 2008.
Zimbabwe awaited a key court ruling on Tuesday, which could order an end to the 10-day wait for presidential election results as pressure on veteran leader Robert Mugabe mounts. The High Court was due to rule on a petition by the opposition demanding the electoral commission immediately declare the outcome of the March 29 polls.
Up to 70 people were killed in late March when flash floods swept mining pits in northern Tanzania, charity group Oxfam-Ireland said on Monday. ”The rains caused flooding of eight mines in the region, killing up to 70 mineworkers caught below ground,” it said in a statement.