Russian sumo wrestler Roho is the latest foreign import to land himself in hot water after smashing a window and belting two photographers in a fit of pique. The 195cm giant faces a ban from Japan’s ancient roly-poly sport after throwing a temper tantrum in the wake of a defeat on Saturday.
Israeli air raids shook Beirut on Sunday, the fifth day of a devastating assault on Hezbollah and Lebanon that has prompted no United Nations Security Council action and only a mild plea for restraint from Israel’s United States ally. US President George Bush, speaking at a G8 summit in Russia, characterised Israel’s campaign as self-defence and did not back Lebanon’s pleas for an immediate ceasefire.
South African researchers and doctors are worried that a new law intended to protect young men from death or mutilation as the result of circumcision may weaken the potential use of circumcision to curb the spread of HIV.This month President Thabo Mbeki signed into law the Children’s Act, one of whose clauses bans circumcision of male children under the age of 16.
Gunmen seized the chairman of Iraq’s Olympic committee and at least 30 other people on Saturday in a brazen daylight raid on a sports conference in the heart of the city as armed clashes erupted in scattered parts of the capital. Parliament extended the national state of emergency as at least 27 people — including two American soldiers — were killed in sectarian or insurgency-related violence.
Israeli forces destroyed the Beirut headquarters of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in air strikes on Saturday after again threatening to kill the Shi’ite Muslim militant leader. The stronghold has come under repeated Israeli attack by air and from warships offshore, causing panic in the densely populated streets.
Australia recorded their biggest win over South Africa in 85 years with a 49-0 demolition in the second round of the Tri-Nations at Lang Park on Saturday. The Wallabies rebounded from last week’s 32-12 loss to New Zealand to produce their best performance of the season, scoring six unanswered tries to chalk up their highest total.
The United States and Russia announced on Saturday a plan to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by setting up international enrichment centres as their leaders sought to give a boost to a big-power summit. US President George Bush and Russia’s Vladimir Putin unveiled the initiative at a news conference after talks ahead of a Group of Eight summit that starts in earnest on Sunday.
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Formula One is becoming a bore. The 1997 world champion, who at 35 is one of the senior men still on duty in motor racing’s elite division, said he believed most teams now preferred to recruit young, cheap and ”corporate” drivers.
Michelle Wie was taken to a hospital after withdrawing from the John Deere Classic with nine holes left on Friday, overcome by the conditions on a hot, humid afternoon, and left the course in an ambulance, getting fluids intravenously. Wie walked off the ninth hole on her own, but after talking with her parents said she couldn’t play anymore.
Israeli aircraft targeted the Palestinian Economy Ministry and the house of a Hamas militant in Gaza on Saturday, part of an offensive to free a captured soldier and prevent the functioning of the Hamas-led government. Doctors said one person, later identified as a Hamas militant, was killed in the strike on the house and eight people were wounded, included a baby and a child.