Two Burundi ruling party members killed ( September 8th, 2010 )
BUJUMBURA (AFP)
A group of around 15 armed men killed two members of the ruling party in an attack in Burundi on Tuesday, the final day of a chaotic months-long electoral marathon, an official said.
“A group of around 15 unidentified gunmen in military uniform attacked a home in Mubone in the Kabezi district where they murdered [...]
Lithuania, Argentina complete quarter-final basketball list ( September 8th, 2010 )
ISTANBUL (AFP)
Lithuania and Argentina grabbed the final two quarter-final spots at the world basketball championships here on Tuesday, defeating China and Brazil respectively.
As expected Lithuania got up over China 78-67, while in a game too close to call Argentina were pushed hard for their 93-89 victory over Brazil.
Lithuania had to overcome another slow start, finding [...]
Swaziland democracy protesters march despite arrests ( September 8th, 2010 )
JOHANNESBURG (AFP)
Pro-democracy demonstrators marched Tuesday in Swaziland against Africa’s last absolute monarchy, despite the arrests of nearly 50 people on the eve of the protests.
“It was a success — we were able to put across our message which is that we want Swaziland to be a multi-party democracy,” said Zakhele Mabuza, spokesman for the banned [...]
Air fares up as Asian travel rebounds from recession ( September 8th, 2010 )
SINGAPORE (AFP)
Asia-Pacific airlines are raising ticket prices as travellers return in their droves after holding back on their travel plans last year because of the global recession.
A strong economic rebound, led by China, has resulted in carriers filling more seats during the summer holidays and demand should remain robust despite slower expansion in the second [...]
Drilling makes progress towards trapped Chile miners ( September 8th, 2010 )
COPIAPO, Chile (AFP)
A truck convoy bearing a huge oil drilling machine is expected to arrive Wednesday to offer a third rescue option, or “Plan C,” for the 33 men trapped for a month at the bottom of a Chilean mine.
“The 42 trucks will come in one or two at a time, they’ll unload and go [...]
Prolific Klose’s double sinks Azerbaijan ( September 8th, 2010 )
COLOGNE, Germany (AFP)
Germany striker Miroslav Klose took his tally to 55 international goals with a double in the 6-1 rout of Azerbaijan to fire his side to the top of their Euro 2012 qualification group.
Before the game, Klose received a special presentation for winning his 100th cap during the World Cup and he capped his [...]
EU official calls for regular bank ’stress tests’ ( September 8th, 2010 )
BERLIN (AFP)
The European Union’s financial services chief called on Wednesday for so-called “stress tests” on banks to be carried out on a regular basis, to judge their resilience in the event of another crisis.
“I am completely of the opinion that in future, we need to conduct stress tests regularly,” Commissioner Michel Barnier told the German [...]
UN peacekeepers failed DR Congo rape victims: official ( September 8th, 2010 )
UNITED NATIONS (AFP)
UN troops failed the victims of mass rapes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where more than 500 sex assaults have now been reported in the past month, a top UN peacekeeping official said Tuesday.
Atul Khare, under secretary general for peacekeeping operations, warned of a growing “culture of sexual violence” in the stricken [...]
US drone strike kills 10 militants in Pakistan ( September 8th, 2010 )
MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (AFP)
A US missile strike on a militant compound in Pakistan’s tribal district on the Afghan border killed at least 10 rebels on Wednesday, local security officials said.
The attack took place in Dandey Darpakhel village, five kilometres (three miles) northwest of Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan tribal district, which is a renowned [...]
South Sudan names official opposition leader ( September 8th, 2010 )
JUBA (AFP)
South Sudan’s parliament on Tuesday named as official leader of the opposition a member of the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Democratic Change, an offshoot from the ruling SPLM party.
Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec was nominated as leader of the largest opposition party in the legislative assembly of the semi-autonomous south, which is preparing for a referendum [...]