The Australian government has in disarray after Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced she will throw open leadership of ruling Labor Party on Monday. Ending months of vitriol the only challenger is Kevin Rudd, who she replaced in July 2010.
Producer dies
A drug overdose may have caused the death of an American television producer found dead in Uganda, according to authorities. The body of the young father of two was found in his hotel room late last week. Investigations are continuing.
Sectarian attacks
Simultaneous bomb attacks on Shiite targets across Iraq killed at least 50 on Thursday. It has proved one of the deadliest days since US soldiers left. More than 30 were killed in blasts in Baghdad including nine policemen.
Bail burns
A notorious jail on the Indonesian island of Bali was evacuated of foreign prisoners on Thursday after nights of damaging riots. About 100 military calmed the rebellion in the overcrowded prison, which began after an inmate was stabbed.
Manning charged
Bradley Manning, the army private accused of the greatest leak of US classified documents, has been officially charged with 22 offences. His alleged disclosure of documents rocketed WikiLeaks to prominence. A trial is expected to start in June.
June verdict
A verdict – and potentially a sentence – for ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak will be delivered in June. He has been on trial for about seven months already. The ailing octogenarian has denied the corruption and violence charges.
Annan Syria envoy
Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan has been appointed the body’s envoy to Syria to resolve unrest in the country. Annan will operate within the Arab League resolution passed last week. Two foreign journalists were killed by military bombs.
Bodies found
Search teams in Italy have found another eight bodies in the wreckage of cruise ship Costa Concordia. The number of bodies recovered is 25 of the 32 believed to have died. About 4000 passengers were on board when it sunk last month.
Dotcom freed
Kim Dotcom, the founder of the now-defunct file-sharing website MegaUpload has been granted bail by a New Zealand court. American authorities shut the portal last month after pressing piracy charges. Dotcom says he will defend the charges.
Obama ‘sorry’
American president Barack Obama has apologised for any offence caused by the burning of the holy Quran by NATO soldiers. He said it was an “error”. The incident was followed by the death of two troops by an Afghan soldier near a protest.
Killer crash
A commuter train crash in Argentina killed 50 people and injured more than 100 more. The crash occurred when a train ploughed into a barrier at a Buenos Aires station. President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner declared two-days of mourning.
Princess baby
The next two monarchs of Sweden will be queens after Crown Princess Victoria gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday. The child – as yet unnamed – is now second in line to the throne. Her father, Prince Daniel, said she is a “very cute princess”.
Post published in: Africa News