Dubai: Al Qaida's north Africa wing said it killed at least 29 members of Algeria's security forces in the past three months, a US-based firm which monitors militant
websites reported on Saturday.
In a statement posted on the internet, the group, which calls itself Al Qaida Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb, claimed responsibility for 21 attacks carried out in northern Algeria between September and December, the SITE Intelligence Group said.
The attacks included bombings and ambushes of police and military targets in areas including Bejaia, Constantine and Biskra.
Al Qaida's north Africa wing posted several statements on the Internet last year saying it would not stop its attacks until Algeria was free from French and US influence and what it called the "apostate" Algerian government was removed.
Since adopting the Al Qaida name early in 2007, the group, previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), has claimed several attacks, including twin suicide bombings of UN offices and a court building in Algiers in December 2007 which killed 41 people.
Saturday, 03 January 2009
Mbeki 'to undergo spiritual rebirth'
By Thabiso Thakali
2009 is going to start with a battle for ANC president Jacob Zuma but end well, while former president Thabo Mbeki could undergo a spiritual rebirth - that's if predictions by two diviners are anything to go by.
Sharing their predictions for 2009 with the Saturday Star, an astrologer and a sangoma agreed that despite what could be a rough start in the new year, there will be better times for Zuma.
And perhaps personal transformation is on the cards for Mbeki in 2009, although, according to astrologer Richard Fidler, he is set to become more reclusive.
"Mbeki's chart shows that he is quietly going to go through a spiritual change. He might become active in social welfare projects or humanitarian work," said Fidler.
"Zuma's astrological chart shows that April [the mooted date for the general election] will be an important month in his life. It shows that he will be more active in this period"
Sweetness Tau, a Vosloorus-based sangoma, predicted that Mbeki would emigrate.
She said Mbeki and his ancestors were unhappy at the way the country was being run at the moment, and this could make him decide to leave.
"There is a high possibility that Jacob Zuma may ultimately become the president of SA, although his legal woes may continue to threaten to derail his plans," she said.
"But because he [Zuma] has been through this before and he has the support of his ancestors, he will survive with few scars."
Both seers were adamant in their predictions that while the Congress of the People would pose a serious threat to the ANC's dominance, the ANC would still comfortably win 2009's general election.
2009 is going to start with a battle for ANC president Jacob Zuma but end well, while former president Thabo Mbeki could undergo a spiritual rebirth - that's if predictions by two diviners are anything to go by.
Sharing their predictions for 2009 with the Saturday Star, an astrologer and a sangoma agreed that despite what could be a rough start in the new year, there will be better times for Zuma.
And perhaps personal transformation is on the cards for Mbeki in 2009, although, according to astrologer Richard Fidler, he is set to become more reclusive.
"Mbeki's chart shows that he is quietly going to go through a spiritual change. He might become active in social welfare projects or humanitarian work," said Fidler.
"Zuma's astrological chart shows that April [the mooted date for the general election] will be an important month in his life. It shows that he will be more active in this period"
Sweetness Tau, a Vosloorus-based sangoma, predicted that Mbeki would emigrate.
She said Mbeki and his ancestors were unhappy at the way the country was being run at the moment, and this could make him decide to leave.
"There is a high possibility that Jacob Zuma may ultimately become the president of SA, although his legal woes may continue to threaten to derail his plans," she said.
"But because he [Zuma] has been through this before and he has the support of his ancestors, he will survive with few scars."
Both seers were adamant in their predictions that while the Congress of the People would pose a serious threat to the ANC's dominance, the ANC would still comfortably win 2009's general election.
Opposition leader wins presidency in Ghana
By FRANCIS KOKUTSE
ACCRA, Ghana - Opposition leader John Atta Mills won Ghana's presidency, narrowly defeating his ruling party rival in a tense runoff, the election agency of this West African nation announced Saturday.
Mills won Sunday's runoff by capturing 50.23 percent of the vote _ or 4,521,032 ballots _ compared with 49.77 percent _ or 4,480,446 votes _ for ruling party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, Electoral Commission chairman Kwadwo Afari-Gyan said.
A special revote Friday in a single western district secured Mills' victory. The region of Tain had been unable to vote in the second round because of a shortage of ballots, and the makeup vote _ which took place peacefully despite ruling party efforts to stop it _ became the deciding factor.
"I commend the two candidates for conducting themselves well," the election chief said.
ACCRA, Ghana - Opposition leader John Atta Mills won Ghana's presidency, narrowly defeating his ruling party rival in a tense runoff, the election agency of this West African nation announced Saturday.
Mills won Sunday's runoff by capturing 50.23 percent of the vote _ or 4,521,032 ballots _ compared with 49.77 percent _ or 4,480,446 votes _ for ruling party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, Electoral Commission chairman Kwadwo Afari-Gyan said.
A special revote Friday in a single western district secured Mills' victory. The region of Tain had been unable to vote in the second round because of a shortage of ballots, and the makeup vote _ which took place peacefully despite ruling party efforts to stop it _ became the deciding factor.
"I commend the two candidates for conducting themselves well," the election chief said.
Kenyan president signs controversial media bill
By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY - Associated Press Writer
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Kenya's president has signed into law a media bill that opponents say threatens the country's hard-fought reputation for having one of Africa's most vigorous press.
Media watchdogs had petitioned against the bill, which gives a communications commission the power to regulate broadcasting under threat of fines or jail time.
In a statement Friday, President Mwai Kibaki said "while press freedom is a cardinal pillar of democracy, it is a right that carries with it special duties and responsibilities."
A controversial part of the bill, which parliament passed last month, allows the government to shut down media outlets by declaring a state of emergency. Several journalists were arrested recently while protesting the bill.
But Kibaki said late Friday that part was not included in the bill he signed.
Kenya is ranked among the world's most corrupt countries, and in the years following independence in 1963 reporters were regularly threatened and censored.
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Kenya's president has signed into law a media bill that opponents say threatens the country's hard-fought reputation for having one of Africa's most vigorous press.
Media watchdogs had petitioned against the bill, which gives a communications commission the power to regulate broadcasting under threat of fines or jail time.
In a statement Friday, President Mwai Kibaki said "while press freedom is a cardinal pillar of democracy, it is a right that carries with it special duties and responsibilities."
A controversial part of the bill, which parliament passed last month, allows the government to shut down media outlets by declaring a state of emergency. Several journalists were arrested recently while protesting the bill.
But Kibaki said late Friday that part was not included in the bill he signed.
Kenya is ranked among the world's most corrupt countries, and in the years following independence in 1963 reporters were regularly threatened and censored.
Friday, 02 January 2009
Life's no gas for Ukraine in the energy wars
Ukranian households will be greeting 2009 with a sharp sense of deja vu.
It's the third time in two years Russia has turned off the taps.
The dispute behind the old Iron Curtain is ostensibly about Russia collecting long-standing debts.
But it has the kind of intrigue you might find in a Cold War thriller: a power battle in Ukraine, sleaze allegations levelled at top gas executives plus a long-standing economic row over just how much Ukraine should pay to pipe gas from its old Soviet master and neighbour.
Although countries like Hungary lost up to 40 per cent of gas they receive via Ukraine during the brief switch-off in January 2006, it's unlikely this latest flare-up will have the same impact.
But it's re-opened the debate over how much customers across Europe should pay for gas and where we source it...
It means countries can turn to the vast gas fields around North and West Africa's coasts as alternatives.Congo president makes a promise of peace
KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of the Congo President Joseph Kabila vowed to bring peace to his war-ravaged country before the end of 2009 in a rare televised address to the nation.
“Our objectives for 2009 will be and remain those given to the government when it was formed: first and foremost is the consolidation of peace and security, in particular in the east of the country,” Kabila said as the New Year was about to dawn.
“Our determination is undeniable and all options will be looked at to this effect,” the Congolese president said.
“Our objectives for 2009 will be and remain those given to the government when it was formed: first and foremost is the consolidation of peace and security, in particular in the east of the country,” Kabila said as the New Year was about to dawn.
“Our determination is undeniable and all options will be looked at to this effect,” the Congolese president said.
Ghana party bids to halt key vote
Ghana's ruling party is seeking to delay voting in a remote district that could decide the outcome of the knife-edge presidential run-off election.
Ruling party officials say a fair vote can not be held and they will boycott the poll in Tain if it goes ahead.
Tain constituency did not vote with the rest of the country on Sunday because of a problem distributing the ballots.
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills has a narrow lead over the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo.
"We are trying to stop the election because we think the security situation on the ground is not conducive for a free and fair election," Arthur Kennedy, a spokesman for the ruling New Patriotic Front (NPP), told AFP news agency.
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