Three bombs that spread carnage in packed London underground trains exploded almost simultaneously at 8.50am local time, police said on Saturday, revealing a chillingly precise attack by suspected al-Qaeda fanatics. Meanwhile, a group linked to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
Hurricane Dennis gathered strength again on Saturday as it moved over the Gulf of Mexico away from Cuba, where it killed 10 people and left 1,5-million homeless, after causing five deaths in Haiti. It is expected to wreak havoc with a swipe at the Florida Keys, which have been put under a hurricane warning.
No South Africans have been confirmed killed in the bomb blasts in London on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday. Unconfirmed reports earlier on Saturday said that four South Africans had been killed in the blasts. The rush-hour attacks on London’s transport system killed at least 50 people.
Defending champions Mexico lost a Concacaf Gold Cup game for the first time since 2002, dropping a 2-1 decision to South Africa in a first-round game on Friday night. Philip Evans and Elrio van Heerden scored for South Africa, who dealt Mexico just their fourth loss in the competition since the tournament began in 1997.
Australia continued their home dominance over South Africa, scoring three first-half tries in 10 minutes on Saturday and defeating the Springboks 30-12 in a rugby union Test match. The win extended a seven-year winning streak for the Wallabies over South Africa in Australia. The Springboks’ last win in Australia was in Perth in 1998.
South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, is to become a comic-strip hero in a new project aimed at encouraging young people to read.
American aid agencies expressed concern on Friday over new rules imposed by the Bush administration making funding for the fight against Aids dependent on a pledge to combat prostitution. Charities seeking federal funding for anti-Aids programmes abroad will have to sign a form expressing opposition to prostitution and sex trafficking.
Vietnamese authorities have banned gold being added to food, after a restaurant in Hanoi served gilded dishes it said had enhanced nutritional value, state media said on Saturday. Since January, the Kim Ngan Ngu Thien, or ”Golden Feast” restaurant, had been serving meals mixed with gold dust.
Schoolgirl sensation Michelle Wie fell short in her bid to become the first female in 60 years to make a cut on the PGA Tour on Friday at the -million John Deere Classic. The 15-year-old prodigy appeared on her way to the weekend when she was derailed by a double-bogey at the sixth, her 15th hole of the day.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, on Friday confirmed that he will start pulling his country’s troops out of Iraq within two months. His announcement is bound to prompt criticism that he is aiming to deter Islamist terrorists from striking at Italy next, amid concern that Rome or Milan is next in line for an al-Qaeda attack.