Today's other stories in brief
32 killed by suicide attack near Baghdad
KERBALA – A female suicide bomber blew herself up in a crowd of Shia pilgrims, killing 32 people and wounding 84 others south of Baghdad during one of the holiest events of the Shia calendar, according to police.
The attack yesterday on the pilgrimage route in Iskandariya, 40km south of the capital, came a day after a bomb killed eight in the Shia holy city of Kerbala, to which hundreds of thousands, if not millions, were headed to mark Arbain. – (Reuters)
Somali prime minister selected
DJIBOUTI – Somalia’s president has chosen Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the US-based son of a murdered former leader, to be prime minister in a unity government intended to end civil conflict, official sources have said.
The nomination – designed to shore up both diaspora and national support for the administration that is the 15th attempt to set up government in Somalia since 1991 – drew wide approval among Somalis but condemnation by Islamist rebels. – (Reuters)
Strike continues on Guadeloupe
PARIS – Protesters paralysing the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe over demands for pay rises have vowed to continue their strike despite efforts by the government to defuse the crisis, now in its fourth week.
President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his first public comments on a protest movement that is spreading to other French overseas territories, said he wanted deep changes to the islands' economies but made no announcements likely to end the strike. – (Reuters)
Teachers caned for pay claim
DAR ES SALAAM – A government official in northwest Tanzania ordered the caning of 32 teachers for pursuing salary arrears, drawing protests from their union, Tanzanian media has reported. The punishment was carried out in Bukoba district after the teachers went to the district commissioner's office to seek their dues, private newspaper This Day reported. – (Reuters)
Ronnie Biggs taken to hospital
LONDON – One of Britain’s most notorious criminals was in hospital last night after being taken ill in prison. Great train robber Ronnie Biggs was moved to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in Norwich from nearby Norwich prison, thought to be suffering from pneumonia.
Sources say Biggs is likely to be in hospital over the weekend. – (PA)