No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Rebel fighters have seized six towns and villages in the turbulent eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Congolese troops apparently withdrew, officials in the area said on Friday. Insurgents occupied the municipalities on Thursday and Friday, they said.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Rescue workers tried on Saturday to save a northern bottle-nosed whale that swam up the River Thames past Big Ben and other London landmarks, the first such sighting of the endangered species since records began nearly a century ago. Amazed onlookers crowded the Thames riverbanks on Friday.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
The annual cannabis growers’ bonanza in The Netherlands, the HighLife hemp fair, which is under way until Sunday, has come up in the world since it started nine years ago. More than 20 000 visitors from Europe and North America are expected to travel to Amsterdam for the annual event.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Oil prices charged toward a barrel on Friday in a rally that mainly reflected fears of a possible loss of supply from Iran, which is in a diplomatic stand-off with the West over its nuclear ambitions. Labour unrest in oil-rich Nigeria and new threats from al-Qaeda contributed to traders’ jitters.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
An audiotape purportedly from al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri was posted on Friday on an Islamic website in which he read a poem praising ”martyrs of holy war” in Afghanistan, Palestine and elsewhere. There was no indication of when the tape was made.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Egypt kicked off their bid for a record fifth African Cup of Nations title by beating Libya 3-0 on Friday. Tottenham forward Mido scored the first goal of the 16-nation tournament in the 17th minute and Mohamed Aboutrika made it 2-0 five minutes later by driving in a free kick from 18m. Egypt dominated the opening match of the three-week tournament against their neighbours and rivals.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Winning cricket returned to Newlands on Friday night as the Cape Cobras celebrated their first limited-overs win of the season against the Dolphins in their opening Pro20 Series match. Since beating the Lions in a Supersport Series match in Johannesburg in November, the Cobras had played 11 matches in the various competitions without a victory.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Springbok lock AJ Venter was at his enthusiastic best in Durban on Friday night when he led a rampaging Sharks side (a Raggies side on the night) to a 14-try romp against the Leopards who were savaged to the extent of 70-5. Furthermore, the Sharks’ second side (the Great Whites) got a five-to-two try account against the Leopards in a 25-10 win.
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Chad Campbell fired a third-round 68 in California on Friday to maintain his four-shot lead in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Campbell had a 54-hole total of 19-under-par 197 in the five-round event, four strokes in front of fellow American Scott Verplank (65) and Australia’s John Senden (68).
No image available
/ 21 January 2006
Triple champion Martina Hingis hurtled into the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday, overcoming extreme heat that helped Amelie Mauresmo secure an equally speedy victory. Anastasia Myskina became Russia’s fifth woman through, but sixth-seeded Guillermo Coria was knocked out by France’s Sebastien Grosjean.