adminEgypt army hikes tone against protesters
Cairo — Egypt’s ruling military escalated its tone against pro-democracy activists on Wednesday, warning of an attempt to “topple the state”, as government media said a plot had been uncovered to use upcoming protests to throw the country into a civil war.
Mandela grandson’s wife blocks third marriage
Johannesburg — The wife of Nelson Mandela’s grandson has challenged his Christmas Eve wedding to a third wife in court, claiming the law does not allow the chief to practise polygamy, a report said yesterday.
Tando Mabunu-Mandela says her civil law union with Mandla Mandela blocks his marriage to customary wives, according to The Times.
IMF warns Africa to prepare for Europe fallout
NIAMEY — Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are less prepared to deal with an economic shock now than they were during the 2008 food and fuel crisis and the global financial turmoil that followed, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday, urging developing nations to build up their economic defences.
Baghdad blasts kill 67 as Iraq tensions rise
BAGHDAD — A rash of bombings hit Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 67 people in the first big attack on Iraq’s capital since a crisis between its Shi’ite Muslim-led government and Sunni rivals erupted days after the US troop withdrawal.
Violence erupts ahead of monitors’ arrival in Syria
Activists in Syria yesterday reported the deaths of at least nine people, including six in the central province of Homs and two in the northwestern city of Idlib which Syria’s opposition says has borne the brunt of operations by Syrian forces that left 250 people dead in the last two days.
Russia’s Medvedev tries to appease protesters
MOSCOW — President Dmitry Medvedev called yesterday for comprehensive reform of Russia’s political system to try to appease protesters staging the biggest demonstrations since Vladimir Putin rose to power 12 years ago.
Mexico disbands port city’s police force
A Mexican state plagued by drug violence has disbanded the entire police force in the major port city of Veracruz in an effort to stem corruption, with naval marines deployed in its place.
The Veracruz state government said Wednesday’s decision was part of an effort to root out police corruption and start from zero in the state’s largest city.
Philippines floods damage like tsunami
The United Nation’s humanitarian co-ordinator has compared the destruction in two of the Philippines’ worst affected southern coastal cities to a tsunami, after more than a thousand people were confirmed dead in the wake of last week’s tropical storm.
Iran navy war game to begin tomorrow
TEHRAN — Iran’s navy will launch a 10-day war game in the Strait of Hormuz tomorrow, state television quoted Navy Commander Habibulah Sayari as saying yesterday.
Pakistan army wants Zardari out but not a coup
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s powerful army is fed up with unpopular President Asif Ali Zardari and wants him out of office, but through legal means and without a repeat of the coups that are a hallmark of the country’s 64 years of independence, military sources said.