Islamist gunmen overran a compound held by a United States-backed warlord alliance outside the lawless Somali capital on Wednesday, killing seven fighters and decapitating several, witnesses said. Islamic militia targeted the base north of the city in the latest flare-up in fighting since the two sides began observing an informal truce on Sunday.
The security guard strike is likely to carry on for ”a helluva long time” if employers are not willing to talk, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said on Wednesday. ”We urge all employer associations in the strongest terms to commence negotiating with immediate effect by responding with counter-proposals,” said Satawu general secretary Randall Howard.
Italy’s new Prime Minister Romano Prodi unveiled a new centre-left government on Wednesday, ending weeks of political stalemate and pledging to rebuild solidarity after bitterly divisive elections. As expected, it features former prime minister Massimo D’Alema as Foreign Minister and former European Central Bank board member Tomasso Padoa-Schioppa as Economy Minister.
After more than three months of testimony from 55 witnesses, the fate of former Enron executives Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay was handed to a jury on Wednesday. The government had its last chance to sway the eight women and four men before they were excused to begin deliberations.
State-owned arms manufacturer Denel expects to know by July whether Turkey is to place an order for its Rooivalk attack helicopters in a deal expected to total R12-billion to R15-billion. ”Technically, we’re looking very good,” Denel chief executive Shaun Liebenberg told Parliament’s public enterprises portfolio committee on Wednesday.
Police shot dead at least 18 assailants early on Wednesday, media reported, in the latest clashes in a five-day explosion of gang violence in São Paulo that has claimed about 150 lives. The city has been gripped by fear since a powerful gang launched attacks on police stations, banks and buses, as well as prison uprisings.
Cabinet has backed Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils over allegations by the African National Congress Youth League that he may have had an underhanded role in the rape trial against former deputy president Jacob Zuma. The Cabinet issued the statement on Wednesday saying it rejected "insinuations" that any member of the executive or employee of the state may have been involved in illegal "underhand activities … leading up to the trial".
Michael Owen has declared himself fit to play in the World Cup after scoring twice in a practice match at England’s pre-tournament training camp in Portugal. Owen, who has played only one game since breaking a bone in his foot on New Year’s Eve, has been an injury doubt for the last five months.
Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday ridiculed a European Union plan to offer trade and technology incentives in exchange for his country agreeing to halt sensitive nuclear work. ”They think they can take away our gold and give us some nuts and chocolate in exchange,” Ahmadinejad told a rally in the town of Arak.
Critics on Wednesday crucified Hollywood’s hotly awaited film of the runaway bestseller, The Da Vinci Code, ahead of its glittering premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Several disappointed whistles were all that greeted the end of Ron Howard’s -million film, and, even worse, the 2 000-strong audience even burst out laughing at the movie’s key moment.