A round-up of today's world news stories in brief
New job for Labour's Milburn
LONDON– Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn is to make a surprise return to frontline politics as an independent reviewer on social mobility for the new coalition government, it was announced yesterday.
The appointment was confirmed by a spokesman for deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who leads for the government on social mobility.
However, Mr Milburn faced an angry backlash from former colleagues, with former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott branding him a “collaborator”. – (PA)
SA's largest opposition party merges
JOHANNESBURG– South Africa's largest opposition party said yesterday it would merge with a small party, but analysts said it was unlikely to pose a big challenge to the African National Congress (ANC) in the 2014 election.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Independent Democrats (ID) said they hoped their new alliance would capitalise on growing frustrations with the ANC.
DA leader Helen Zille said the alliance would invite other opposition parties to join, hoping to score the majority in the next vote, but analysts were doubtful. – (Reuters)
Turks reminded of 'historic' role
DUBAI– Al-Qaeda's second in command yesterday urged the Turkish people to sever ties with Israel and withdraw Turkish troops from Afghanistan.
“The Turkish people should take the responsibility for stopping their government from continuing to recognise those who plundered Palestine,” Ayman al-Zawahri said. He said the Turkish people should carry out their historic role “as the defender of Islam and protector of Muslims”. – (Reuters)