A suspected bomb blast killed five women outside a busy market in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday, witnesses said. Residents said an explosive device was apparently detonated by the burning of garbage in the city’s central Howlwadag area.
The World Bank on Monday unanimously approved Robert Zoellick as its president after a controversial two-year term by Paul Wolfowitz, who agreed to resign over a promotion scandal involving his companion. Zoellick, former United States deputy secretary of state and trade representative, was the only nominee for the job.
The proposed monorail link between Soweto and Johannesburg was ”not logical” and needed a concrete submission, the Transport Department’s director general said on Tuesday. ”What has been in the press doesn’t present itself as logical. We are not adverse to any innovative proposal but it needs to be dealt with properly,” Mpumi Mpofu said.
Hotel heiress Paris Hilton, who commanded as much attention behind bars as on the Hollywood party scene, regained her freedom on Tuesday after serving three weeks in jail for violating probation in a drunken-driving case. The incarceration of the 26-year-old multimillionaire ignited a worldwide media frenzy and debate about celebrity justice.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s government ordered the prices of basic goods to be slashed by about 50%, reports said on Tuesday. Bus fares, bread, fertiliser, milk and many other commodities have shot up in price in the past days. Industry Minister Obert Mpofu said the price increases were unjustifiable.
Australia and New Zealand may consider scrapping their remaining Tri-Nations matches against South Africa if the Springboks insist on leaving their best players at home to keep them fresh for the World Cup. Australian and New Zealand officials are furious that the South Africans have picked a weakened squad for their two away matches.
Roger Federer, bidding for a fifth successive Wimbledon title, returned to a much-changed Centre Court left exposed to torrential rain and biting cold to ease into the second round on Monday. But while the top seed was making short work of Russian debutant Teimuraz Gabashvili, his Swiss compatriot, Martina Hingis, was given a huge scare.
One man was killed and 14 others injured as rival soccer fans swinging metal pipes and throwing rocks clashed on Monday after a promotional play-off match between two Argentine clubs that spilled out on to a busy rush-hour freeway, authorities said.
South Africa under-23 coach Steve Komphela is still not clear as to who will start for his team when they kick off their Sasol eight-nation tournament against China on Wednesday at the Johannesburg Stadium. Komphela has to choose 11 players from a squad of 26 players, who are also fighting for a place in the team to compete at the All Africa Games next month.
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) said it had no choice but to back Springbok coach Jake White’s decision to send a second-string squad for Tri-Nations matches in Australia and New Zealand. Saru said in a statement on Monday that it had ”to intervene in such a drastic manner based on medical, conditioning and scientific reports”.