Rival Somali leaders on Thursday reached an agreement to end fighting in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa country following Arab League sponsored talks in Khartoum, officials said. The agreement was signed after a delegation from the Islamic alliance went into talks with members of the transitional government.
The kidnappers of more than 100 Iraqi government employees freed about half of their hostages on Thursday, releasing all their Sunni captives in a clear sign the seizure had been sectarian in nature. The industry ministry workers were snatched by gunmen on Wednesday after their shift ended at a factory north of Baghdad.
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Stephen Appiah scored a penalty kick in the second minute of first-half injury time on Thursday to give Ghana a 2-1 World Cup victory over the United States, advancing the Africans to the second round. Ghana, World Cup debutantes, also eliminated the Americans, who needed a victory and an Italy triumph over the Czech Republic in the other Group E match.
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Italy moved into the last 16 of the World Cup and sent the Czech Republic home after defeating their Group E rivals 2-0 on Thursday. Marco Materazzi put Italy in front with a towering first-half header before fellow substitute Filippo Inzaghi finished a breakaway attack in the 87th minute to ensure the Azzurri finished top of the group.
A striking security guard accused of murdering a non-striking colleague appeared briefly in Dunnottar Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, said East Rand police. Themba Mokwebho (35) was not asked to plead and the case was postponed until June 29, when he is expected to apply for bail, said Inspector Prudence Mvelase.
Clothing workers have hailed an understanding reached between South Africa and China on textile imports as a chance to rebuild the local industry. Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed on Wednesday his country’s willingness to restrict textile exports to South Africa.
Heavy snowfalls are likely over the north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape on Thursday, the South African Weather Service said. Forecaster Deon van der Mescht said very cold and wet conditions were expected in Aliwal North, Queenstown and Molteno. Snowfalls would then move to the Drakensberg.
The Young Communist League (YCL) on Thursday accused the leadership of the African National Congress of bullying and malice. It also ”rejects with contempt the insinuation” by the ANC’s national working committee that the YCL was being funded by unnamed foreign donor agencies. ”The insinuation is littered with malice, rumour-mongering and is without substance,” the YCL said.
They failed to get going against the World XV, showed potential in the first Test against Scotland and stuttered to a worrying victory in the second. However, Springbok coach Jake White is not scampering to pressing any panic buttons yet as his team prepare for a one-off Test match against France in Cape Town on Saturday.
Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana has referred allegations of corruption at a sectoral education and training authority (Seta), involving at least R13,7-million, to the Scorpions for further investigation. He has also given its board two weeks to study a forensic report by the auditor general and act on its findings.