Twelve Algerian troops were killed and a number wounded in a weekend ambush by armed Islamist rebels, Algerian media reported on Monday, indicating that despite official statements the unrest is far from over. A bomb exploded as the troops’ convoy was travelling on Sunday near Khenchela, a city about 540km east of the capital, Algiers.
Nine people have died from an infection caused by an Ebola-like virus in the north-western reaches of the Republic of Congo, travel health specialist Dr Andrew Jamieson warned on Monday. According to health authorities, at least 11 people have contracted the disease since May 4.
A bid to set a universal standard for next-generation DVDs that could ease the lives of consumers is proving difficult, with wide gaps between Sony and Toshiba on which technology should be used, Toshiba’s negotiator said on Monday. The two Japanese giants have each promoted their own next-generation DVD system.
Top-ranked Roger Federer beat French teenager Richard Gasquet 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (4) on Sunday to defend his Hamburg Masters title and collect his tour-leading sixth championship of the year. By avenging one of only two losses this year, Federer stretched an Open-era record — he has now won 19 consecutive finals.
Opener Boeta Dippenaar stroked an unbeaten 61 on Sunday as South Africa secured an historic 5-0 sweep of the West Indies with a seven-wicket win in the rain-shortened fifth and final one-day cricket international. The West Indies were restricted to 138 for seven after morning rain reduced the match to 20 overs per side.
Ted Purdy won the first title of his United States PGA career, firing a five-under par 65 in Texas on Sunday to win the Byron Nelson Championship and deny Vijay Singh a return to the world number-one ranking. Purdy began the week 116th on this year’s US PGA money list and 173rd in the rankings.
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer is more than happy for the rugby community to start planning for a Super 12 final between New South Wales (NSW) and the Crusaders. The South African side slipped into Sydney on Monday for Saturday’s semifinal against NSW, with Meyer declaring his men ready to unlock the Waratahs’ iron-clad defence.
An initiative that will see 20 old townships in Gauteng upgraded was launched by the provincial housing department on Sunday. Acting provincial housing minister Dorothy Mahlangu said specific attention will be given to so-called backyard dwellers. Ten townships are targeted for the current financial year.
The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal held its provincial conference over the weekend where it elected its new leaders. Premier Sibusiso Ndebele was re-elected ”unanimously and unopposed” as provincial chairperson of the party, and Zweli Mkhize was re-elected as deputy chairperson.
Pretoria police found the body of a man missing since Wednesday in Brooklyn, police said on Monday. ”Mohammed Asif Ayob (20) went missing on Wednesday evening. A post-mortem will be held to determine the cause of death,” Inspector Anton Breedt said.