No image available
/ 12 November 2006
For all the talk of the first Democrat leader of the House since Newt Gingrich’s Republican revolution 12 years ago, perhaps an even bigger landmark is the ascension of a woman — Nancy Pelosi — to a role that is said to be two heartbeats away from the presidency. Only two higher national positions remain to be conquered by women: the offices of president and vice-president.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
A suicide bomber killed 35 people at an Iraqi police recruiting centre in Baghdad on Sunday, in the latest attack that undermines United States and Iraqi government efforts to bolster the country’s security forces. Interior Ministry sources said 56 people were also wounded in the attack after a bomber wearing an explosive-laden vest walked into the recruiting centre for police commandos.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
The establishment of a new government watchdog to monitor prices and incomes in Zimbabwe is only likely to further accelerate the country’s runaway inflation rate, according to analysts. Officials say a Bill is to be tabled in Parliament shortly for the creation of a prices and incomes commission in a country where the level of inflation crossed the 1 000% mark six months ago and now stands at 1 070%.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
Accidents at two Chinese coal mines have killed at least seven workers as the death toll from a gas explosion at a third mine a week ago rose to 23. In the latest disaster to hit the coal-dependent nation, two miners were killed on Friday after the wagon in which they were travelling broke free from a steel cord.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
Top African National Congress (ANC) leaders will meet on Monday to discuss the fate of Mbulelo Goniwe, who has been accused of sexually harassing a 21-year-old administration assistant, the Sunday Times said. Goniwe, the ANC’s parliamentary chief whip, is alleged to have asked the woman to have sex with him after she had helped serve dinner to guests at his home on October 25.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
A relatively unknown South Korean golfer ended Tiger Woods’ streak in stroke events, winning the HSBC Champions tournament on Sunday. Yang Yong-eun, a regular on the Japanese tour who has played infrequently outside Asia, closed with a three-under 69 on Sunday at the Sheshan International Golf Club for a two-stroke win at 14-under 274.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
Frustrated British rugby league coach Brian Noble said he wanted a word with Tri-Nations referees boss Robert Finch after a string of decisions against his side in their 4-34 thrashing to New Zealand on Saturday. Although Noble conceded New Zealand deserved to win the crucial match, he said the scoreline could have been much closer.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
Judge Hilary Squires, who sentenced Schabir Shaik to 15 years in prison for corruption, says he never found a ”generally corrupt relationship” between the controversial businessman and former deputy president Jacob Zuma. The Supreme Court of Appeal attributed the phrase to Squires in its judgement upholding Shaik’s corruption and fraud convictions last week.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
AS Roma’s bid for the Serie A title gathered momentum when Francesco Totti scored twice to give them a 2-1 win at AC Milan on Saturday. The Roma captain struck first in the seventh minute when he volleyed crisply past Milan keeper Dida. Cristian Brocchi equalised early in the second half, but in the 83rd minute Totti grabbed the winner, heading in a cross by Brazilian winger Mancini.
No image available
/ 12 November 2006
You can tell Bill Gates is a man used to counting in billions. Asked about Microsoft’s new multimillion-dollar deal with Universal Music for downloads to play on its new MP3 player, the company founder and chairperson looks blank, then says: ”I have to admit I don’t know our deal with Universal at all. It wasn’t even in the newspapers I read.”