Dozens dead in Mexico casino attack

At least 53 people have died in an arson attack at a casino in Mexico after masked gunmen burst inside and doused the building with petrol.

The Casino Royale in the Mexican city of Monterrey was raided by gunmen on Thursday afternoon.

Police believe the gang attempted to rob the casino before emptying containers of fuel and setting the premises on fire leaving people trapped inside.

Fire and rescue services said many patrons ran to hide from the attackers in toilets and died from suffocation as smoke engulfed the premises.

Overnight, paramedics and fire crews pulled dozens of bodies from the building through a hole in the wall.

Officals said they believed organised crime was behind the attack which is thought to be one of the deadliest since President Phillipe Calderon launched a crackdown on drug cartels in 2006.

Rebels storm Gaddafi stronghold of Abu Salim

Thousands of Libyan rebels have stormed the Abu Salim district of Tripoli in search of Colonel Gaddafi following a Nato air strike in the area.

Squads of rebels have flooded the streets in search of Colonel Gaddafi who is thought to be hiding-out in the southern Abu Salim district of the Libyan capital, traditionally a stronghold of his supporters.

Anti-Gaddafi fighters fired assault rifles, machineguns and anti-aircraft cannons bolted to the backs of pick-up trucks as they tried to flush out snipers loyal to Gaddafi.

At a fire station fighters found an unexploded Nato bomb, eveidence that the strike had taken place.

As they pushed deeper into the area rebels rounded-up and handcuffed suspected pro-Gaddafi fighters who appeared to be poorly armed.

Huu ni ushujaa auni upumbavu?

Diwani wa Kata ya Bugarama mkoani Shinyanga auwawa kwa mapanga

DIWANI wa Kata ya Bugarama, Peter Kisiminza 50 (CCM), ameuawa katika shambulizi lililofanywa na majambazi waliovamia nyumbani kwake katika Kijiji cha Buyange Kata ya Bugarama, Kahama mkoani hapa.

Kamanda wa Polisi wa Mkoa wa Shinyanga, Diwani Athumani, alisema ofisini kwake jana, kuwa majambazi hao watatu wakiwa na mapanga, walivamia nyumbani kwa Kisiminza Jumamosi saa sita usiku na kumshambulia kwa mapanga diwani huyo.

Diwani baada ya mashambulizi hayo, alikimbizwa katika Hospitali ya Wilaya ya Sengerema kwa matibabu na jana saa nane mchana, akafariki dunia kutokana na kuvuja damu nyingi kichwani, mikononi na mguuni.

Katika uvamizi huo, majambazi hao pia waliwabaka mabinti wawili wa Kisiminza (majina yamehifadhiwa) na kupora baiskeli moja aina ya Phoenix yenye thamani ya Sh 150,000, simu mbili za mkononi aina ya Nokia na viti viwili vya plastiki, vyote vikiwa na thamani ya jumla ya Sh 235,000.

Kamanda Athumani alisema majambazi hao baada ya kuvamia kwa diwani huyo, walivamia pia nyumbani kwa Mussa Robert (37) na kumjeruhi pia kwa mapanga kichwani.

Katika uvamizi kwa Robert, walipora simu tano za mkononi, baiskeli aina ya Sport na chupa ya chai vyote vikiwa na thamani ya jumla ya Sh 597,000.

Kwa mujibu wa Kamanda Athumani, mabinti waliobakwa hali zao ni nzuri na kutokana na uvamizi huo, wananchi kwa kushirikiana na Polisi waliokota baiskeli ya Phoenix ya Diwani ikiwa imetelekezwa.

Tukio hilo la kuuawa kwa Diwani ni la pili katika kipindi kisichozidi miezi miwili baada ya diwani mwingine wa Lagangabilili, Bariadi, Simba Sita 45 (UDP), kuuawa kwa kupigwa risasi na majambazi.

Majambazi hao baada ya mauaji, walipora pikipiki aina ya Lifan namba T 693 BCN, fedha taslimu Sh 55,000 na simu ya mkononi aina ya Nokia.

Katika uvamizi huo, Nyebu Kadundu (60), aliuawa.

Mbunge wa jimbo la Msufini Zanzibar afariki dunia kwa ajali ya gari

MBUNGE wa Bunge la Tanzania kupitia Baraza la Wawakilishi, Mussa Khamis Silima (60), amefariki dunia leo katika Hospitali ya Taifa Muhimbili jijini Dar es Salaam.

Mbunge huyo wa jimbo la Msufini na familia yake walipata ajali ya gari juzi usiku Nzuguni mkoani Dodoma, mkewe, Mwanaheri Twalib (48) alikufa papo hapo, amezikwa jana Zanzibar.

Spika wa Bunge, Anne Makinda amewatangazia wabunge kuwa Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii , Blandina Nyoni amemuarifu kuwa Silima ameaga dunia.

Makinda ameahirisha shughuli za Bunge hadi kesho saa tatu asubuhi ili kutoa fursa kwa wabunge kuomboleza kifo cha mwenzao.

Leo asubuhi baada ya dua ya kuliombea Bunge na kuiombea nchi yetu, Makinda aliwaeleza wabunge kuwa, alizungumza na Silima, na kwamba alikuwa anaendelea vizuri.

Baada ya taarifa hiyo ya Spika kuhusu kifo cha Mbunge huyo, wabunge walisimama kwa dakika moja kumbuka marehemu Silima.

“Mwenyezi Mungu aipumzishe roho yake mahali pema peponi, amina” amesema Spika wa Bunge na kuitaka Kamati ya Uongozi ya Bunge na Kamati ya Bunge ya Huduma za Jamii wakutane kuzungumzia ushiriki wa Bunge katika msiba huo.

Makinda, jana aliwatangazia wabunge kuwa, Mbunge huyo na wenzake walipata ajali saa mbili kasorobo usiku, Silima aliumia, akalazwa katika Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Dodoma. Kwa mujibu wa Makinda, Silima alipata majeraha makubwa.


Kwa mujibu wa Makinda, Mbunge na familia yake walikuwa wanarudi Dodoma wakitoka Zanzibar kumzika kaka wa mke wa Mbunge huyo.

Gari lililopata ajali aina ya Toyota Corolla liliharibika vibaya, lilivutwa juzi usiku likiwa halina baadhi ya matairi, lipo kwenye kituo kikuu cha Polisi Usalama Barabarani Mkoa wa Dodoma.



Kwa mujibu wa Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoa wa Dodoma, Zelothe Stephen, gari alilokuwa akisafiria Silima liligongana na magari mengine mawili saa 2.15 usiku katika barabara kuu ya Dodoma- Morogoro nje kidogo ya manispaa ya Dodoma.

Kamanda huyo amesema, gari hilo lenye namba za usajili T.509 AJC lilikuwa likitoka upande wa Morogoro kuelekea mjini Dodoma, kulikuwa na watu wanne ndani ya gari hilo akiwemo aliyekuwa akiliendesha, Chezard Sebunga (31), mkazi wa Chinangali Manispaa ya Dodoma, Silima, Mwanaheri mkazi wa Zanzibar, na Salama Juma (50) mkazi wa Area ‘D’ Manispaa ya Dodoma.

Gari hilo liligonga lori lenye namba T. 330 AYF aina ya Isuzu likiwa na tela lenye namba za usajli T. 673 ATS upande wa kulia kwenye gurudumu la nyuma kabisa kulia na kuyumba kisha kugonga lori linguine aina ya Scania lenye namba za usajili T. 497 ASW lililokuwa likitoka mjini Dodoma kuelekea Morogoro.

Kwa mujibu wa Polisi, chanzo cha ajali hiyo ni uzembe wa dereva wa gari alilokuwa akisafiria Mbunge huyo kwa kuwa hakuwa mwangalifu wakati akitaka kulipita gari lililokuwa mbele yake akiwa katika mwendo kasi

Mbunge wa Mafia akiliangalia gari dogo lililopata jali jinsi lilivyo athirika

John Mikel Obi's kidnapped father found alive

Mikel's father Michael Obi told of his ordeal at a press conference

The kidnapped father of Chelsea and Nigeria footballer John Mikel Obi has been freed by police.

Officers raided a neighbourhood in the Nigerian city Kano on Monday where they found Michael Obi and arrested five suspects.

Obi was kidnapped on 12 August as he travelled home from work in the city of Jos, around 200 miles away from Kano.

He told reporters: "I started begging them but they beat me mercilessly. They kept me in a terrible place."

The BBC's Yusuf Ibrahim Yakasai said Obi's face showed signs of the beatings that he says he endured during his ordeal.

"I was taken right deep into the bush, in an isolated area in Jos", Obi said.

 

"There are five of them and they were dressed in military uniforms. They pushed me into a vehicle painted in military colours and began to drive very fast. I never knew a vehicle can fly like that."

Mikel's management company Sport Entertainment & Media Group (SEM) said in a statement: "Earlier today Michael Obi called his family to advise them that he had been released by his abductors.

"John Obi Mikel would like to thank everyone in Nigeria, his family and friends, Chelsea FC and their fans and his agents for their total support during this terrible time."

During the time of his father's disappearance, Mikel continued playing for Chelsea - starting matches against both Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

On Friday, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas hailed the "amazing mental toughness" shown by the midfielder in the wake of his father's kidnapping.

A Chelsea statement said: "Mikel has shown outstanding commitment and professionalism during this most difficult of times, and the club will continue to offer its full support to him and his family."

Strauss-Kahn sex case dismissed

Mr Strauss-Kahn in court on Tuesday

A New York judge has dismissed the sexual assault case against former IMF director Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

The move came as prosecutors cited doubts over the credibility of his accuser, 32-year-old hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, was accused in May of attacking the African immigrant as she entered his hotel room to clean it.

The ruling means he is a free man, though he still faces a civil suit Ms Diallo filed this month.

"Our inability to believe the complainant beyond a reasonable doubt means, in good faith, that we could not ask a jury to do that," Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told Judge Michael Obus.

'Hurried sexual encounter'

The dismissal of criminal charges at the New York State Supreme Court will take effect once the judge rules on an appeal against the move.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, considered a French presidential contender before the case, arrived for the hearing in lower Manhattan on Tuesday in a six-car motorcade with his wife Anne Sinclair.

Outside, about two dozen placard-waving protesters denounced the result, their cries audible from the packed courtroom on the 13th floor.

Ms Diallo claimed Mr Strauss-Kahn had confronted her in his luxury hotel suite in the city on 14 May and forced her to perform oral sex.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence had found that a "hurried" sexual encounter did occur between the two, but it did not establish Ms Diallo's claim that it was non-consensual.

In a statement released by his legal team on Tuesday, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "These past two-and-a-half months have been a nightmare for me and my family.

"I want to thank all the friends in France and in the United States who have believed in my innocence, and to the thousands of people who sent us their support personally and in writing.

"I am most deeply grateful to my wife and family who have gone through this ordeal with me."

He added: "We will have nothing further to say about this matter and we look forward to returning to our home and resuming something of a more normal life."

'Rush to judgment'

Outside the court on Tuesday, Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyer, William Taylor, accused the media, police and prosecutors of a "collective rush to judgment".

"I want to remind you how uncritically the media examined this case from the beginning without even looking at the improbability of the story on its face," he said.

In court papers filed on Monday, Manhattan prosecutors said they did not feel at ease pursuing the case, citing deep concerns over Ms Diallo's credibility.

Protesters chanted slogans and waved placards outside the court

 

She "has not been truthful on matters great and small" and has an ability to present "fiction as fact with complete conviction," they wrote.

Medical and DNA evidence, meanwhile, was "simply inconclusive" as proof of a forced sexual encounter, they added.

Mr Strauss-Kahn's was forced from his job as director of the International Monetary Fund after his arrest on board an Air France jet in May.

But within weeks, prosecutors said there were inconsistencies in Ms Diallo's accounts of the alleged assault and of her background.

It was revealed that she had been recorded discussing the case with a jailed friend and appeared to refer to Mr Strauss-Kahn's wealth, which his supporters said pointed to a financial motive.

Prosecutors also said Ms Diallo had not been truthful in tax documents, nor on an asylum application form in her account of a gang rape she said she suffered back in Guinea.

Click to play

Ms Diallo's lawyer said on Monday that she had been denied justice

Mr Strauss-Kahn was later freed from his restrictive bail conditions.

Ms Diallo then took the unusual step of giving media interviews, defending her allegations against him, and on 8 August, she filed a civil suit against Mr Strauss-Kahn.

The Frenchman's legal travails are not yet over: authorities in Paris are still considering whether to press charges against him over a claim by French writer Tristane Banon that he tried to rape her during a 2003 interview.

Ms Banon made the allegation after the Diallo case, saying that she feared no-one would have believed her beforehand.

Rebels overrun Gaddafi's compound

Libyan rebels have taken control of Col Muammar Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli, one of the final areas that remained under his control.

TV footage showed fighters breaking off the head of a statue of the Libyan leader and kicking it along the ground. They also seized items from his home.

It is not known if Col Gaddafi or any of his family are inside the compound.

Rebel leaders say they are in control of almost all of the capital, though there are still pockets of resistance.



Heavily armed fighters had streamed into the capital on Tuesday morning in dozens of pick-up trucks to take part in the attack on Bab al-Aziziya.

In the west of the city, many of the districts are solidly under the control of the rebels.

We watched as a large column of perhaps 60 rebel pick-up trucks with heavy weapons on the back moved off this morning to renew their assault.

The rebel leaders say they are now going to concentrate all their forces from different directions on Col Gaddafi's compound. They believe that is the key to bringing an end to this conflict.

If they can take the compound, if they can capture or kill Col Gaddafi, then they believe that the rest of the city and country will soon be under their control.

Hours later, they breached the perimeter wall and then quickly overran the compound.

The rebels were shown destroying statues - including the iconic golden hand crushing a US fighter jet - and firing guns in the air in celebration.

There were no obvious signs of resistance by Tuesday evening, despite reports that hundreds of Gaddafi loyalists had been tasked with guarding the compound.

The Bab al-Aziziya complex is reported to be connected by underground tunnels to various key locations across the city.

It houses military buildings, Col Gaddafi's main residence, a library and government offices.



The whereabouts of Col Gaddafi and members of his family are not clear.

The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says there is a real sense that this is the end of Col Gaddafi's rule, but the proper celebrations will not begin until he and his family are found.

There are still pockets of resistance in Tripoli near to the Hotel Rixos, where many foreign journalists are staying.

And the situation is unclear in the colonel's hometown of Sirte, which has been a stronghold of regime loyalists.

Reports said retreating government troops had been pouring back to Sirte, and rumours circulated suggesting that the colonel may have fled there.

 

Next moves

Early on Tuesday, his son Saif al-Islam spoke to journalists at the Rixos Hotel, hours after the rebels said he had been captured.

He insisted the government had "broken the backbone" of the rebel offensive and that his father's supporters were winning the battle.

But Western politicians, rebel leaders and the Nato military alliance dismissed his claims.

"A brief appearance at the dead of night doesn't indicate to me somebody who is in control of a country, or capital, or of anything much at all really," said Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.

Meanwhile, the US state department said it was clear that the regime had almost collapsed.

Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US would seek to release between $1bn and $1.5bn (£600m and £900m) in frozen Libyan funds in the coming days, and hand the money to the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC).

Members of the NTC, which has so far been based in the eastern city of Benghazi, said they planned to fly to Tripoli on Wednesday to start work on forming a new government.

 

NTC chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil also said all Gaddafi aides would face justice and fair criminal trials.

"I will stand trial for years I served as a minister in the Gaddafi government," he told a news conference in Benghazi.

He advised Libyans to be tolerant, saying they should "avoid taking matters into their own hands and... abide by court rulings".

The rebels swept into Tripoli at the weekend, but after a swift advance they met stiff resistance in a number of areas on Monday.

The uprising against Col Gaddafi's 41-year rule began in February. The rebels held the east of the country and pockets of the west, before making their push towards the capital at the weekend.

Nato air strikes have been targeting Col Gaddafi's forces, acting on a UN mandate to protect civilians.

Raha ya msosi kitoweo

Mvuvi akielekea sokoni kuuza samaki wake huko Chwaka jijini Zanzibar

Robbie Keane opens LA Galaxy account

Keane and Beckham celebrate

ROBBIE KEANE netted on his debut as LA Galaxy defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.

Keane, who joined the MLS club from Tottenham for £3.5million, latched on to a David Beckham free-kick and rounded visiting keeper Jon Busch before celebrating with his trademark cartwheel.

The delighted Irishman said: "It couldn't have gone better for me.

"When you come to a new team, it's always good to get the first goal.

"When you go a few games without a goal, it starts to play on your mind."

Keane, 31, was substituted after 72 minutes and received a standing ovation from the 27,000 crowd at the Home Depot Center.



His replacement Mike Magee bagged Galaxy's second goal as Bruce Arena's men stretched their lead at the top of the Western Conference to six points.

Galaxy stalwart Becks was impressed with the immediate impact made by new team-mate Keane.

And the midfielder revealed it was a pleasure to play in the same team as a striker with a true predator's intinct.

He said: "I knew he was going to be running and I knew where to put it.

"Keane's a player who knows where to run. If you're on the same wavelength as him, you've got a real good chance.

"He's always going to make good runs and it's up to us to find him."

Galaxy boss Arena added: 'We're elated with Keane. He had a great 70 minutes tonight and he's going to have a lot more.

"I know Robbie's fitness isn't perhaps where he wants it to be, but he's a fit athlete.

"When he gets two or three games under his belt he's going to be fine."

Ukahaba Kenya

Picha ya leo

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

Liverpool recorded their first away win over Arsenal since 2000 to heap more misery on the Gunners.

 

Samir Nasri impressed for the Gunners but the home side's luck was out after Aaron Ramsey's own goal and a last-minute strike from substitute Luis Suarez handed victory to the visitors.

Arsene Wenger - who now has half his first-choice team out because of suspension or injury - must regroup his squad for next week's crucial Champions League play-off second leg in Udinese and the small matter of a trip to Manchester United.



Nasri - whose £22million move to City is, according to reports on French TV, said to have broken down - did not applaud the crowd as the teams came out of the tunnel, and was then jeered by some sections of the Emirates Stadium faithful when his name was announced.

Liverpool showed early intent, as Dirk Kuyt - who netted a late penalty deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw here last season - drilled a low, angled drive goalwards.

New Arsenal captain Robin van Persie looked lively as he nicked the ball out on the right channel and floated over a cross which Martin Kelly stabbed behind for a corner.

On eight minutes, Frimpong was cautioned for squaring up to Jordan Henderson as the Liverpool midfielder tried to take a quick throw-in.



Koscielny added to Wenger's defensive problems when he pulled up with what looked like a lower back injury on 14 minutes and had to be replaced by youngster Ignasi Miquel, the Spaniard making his Premier League debut.

Liverpool almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Andy Carroll's towering header at the far post brought a brilliant save from Wojciech Szczesny.

The visitors were in full flight now, with Henderson sending a tame header straight at the Arsenal keeper following another quick break down the left.

Charlie Adam then tried an audacious chip from the halfway line, which had Szczesny backpedalling, but flew over the bar.

Arsenal finally mounted a meaningful attack after 30 minutes when Frimpong's low drive from 20 yards was pushed wide by Jose Reina.




Nasri then showed what Arsenal would be missing when he picked up the ball in his own half, dashed forwards and turned Liverpool inside out before unleashing a 25-yard strike which curled past the post.

As the Heavens opened for the start of the second half, Liverpool continued to frustrate Arsenal.
The visitors broke quickly into the Gunners box on 55 minutes, with Carroll laying the ball back to Kelly - and his snapshot struck the outside of the post.

Arsenal eventually started to up the pressure, but lacked a decisive pass in the final third.

Andrey Arshavin turned Kelly and fed van Persie at the near post, but his goalbound flick was kicked behind by Reina.

With 20 minute left, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Frimpong was shown a second yellow card when he left his foot up in a 50/50 challenge with Lucas, right in front of the referee.

Liverpool snatched a fortunate lead on 78 minutes when as Suarez darted into the six-yard box, Miquel's clearance cannoned off Ramsey's chest and back over the keeper into the net.

A miserable afternoon for the Gunners was compounded in the final minute when Suarez tapped in from close range following a quick counter-attack

Rebels push towards Tripoli

Hundreds of rebel fighters are marching towards Tripoli

 

Buoyed by gains on Saturday, rebel forces are pushing towards the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where there was heavy overnight gunfire and several explosions on Sunday morning.

A BBC correspondent with rebels who took Zawiya on Saturday says they have now taken Jaddayim, the first town en route to Tripoli, 40km (25 miles) east.

Earlier, Col Muammar Gaddafi told state TV that the "rats" [rebels] had been eliminated in the capital.
Rebels are moving on two other fronts.

They took Zlitan, 160km (100 miles) east of Tripoli and are also advancing from the south, while Nato warships control access to the sea.

A rebel official said their supporters had started to rise up in Tripoli, but the violence appeared to peak late on Saturday night and there is still much support for Colonel Gaddafi in the city, correspondents say.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have been fighting back at the oil port of Brega, with the rebels admitting that they had fallen back from the eastern town's industrial zone under heavy bombardment.

Clerics 'call to rise up'
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Jaddayim says hundreds of rebel fighters are in the town, both on foot and travelling in pick-up trucks.

He says the town was taken after heavy fighting on Sunday morning.

Our correspondent says this is starting to feel like this may be the beginning of the march on Tripoli. This rebel advance seems to have more momentum than previous ones and has more support from Nato forces, he adds.

Four loud explosions were heard in Tripoli on Sunday morning following hours of sustained gunfire in the city.

The sound of gunfire echoed through the night in Tripoli - small arms and heavy weaponry. Sustained bursts that lasted several minutes, before there was a lull and then they started up again.

Explosions could also be heard. The disturbances seemed to be coming from pockets to the north and east of the city centre, and to the south-west. A government spokesman blamed small groups of armed gangs. He said pro-Gaddafi forces would be "victorious".

Rebel sources said this was the start of the uprising in Tripoli. One said many pro-Gaddafi units have fled.

There does though appear to be considerable support in the city for Col Gaddafi. Over the last few weeks armed men have stood at checkpoints across Tripoli. And civilians have been given weapons training.

There were reports of protests and gunfire in areas to the north and east of Tripoli, including the Tajoura district, where there was trouble at the start of this uprising against Col Gaddafi, the BBC's Matthew Price reports from the capital.

The most intense period of fighting came at around 11pm but the level of gunfire was much reduced by Sunday morning, our correspondent says.

The overnight fighting was almost certainly opponents of Colonel Gaddafi already in scattered parts of Tripoli rising up against pro-Gaddafi forces, rather than rebel forces advancing into the capital, our correspondent adds.

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice-chairman of the rebel National Transition Council (NTC), was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency: "The zero hour has started. The rebels in Tripoli have risen up."

"There is co-ordination with the rebels in Tripoli. This was a pre-set plan," said Mr Ghoga.

But Col Gaddafi's Information Minister Moussa Ibrahim later put the trouble down to "small armed gangs".

"Tripoli is safe, and completely under the control of the armed people committees and the volunteers and the honourable people of Tripoli," the minister said.

"Some gunmen entered two or three areas of Tripoli. They were confronted and everything ended within half an hour."

In an audio broadcast shortly afterwards, Col Gaddafi congratulated his supporters for repelling the rebels.

Engineer Abdul Haken in Tripoli: "The situation is under control"

"Those rats were attacked by the masses tonight and we eliminated them," he said.

"I know you are happy and I saw the fireworks in Green Square, I know that there are air strikes but the fireworks were louder than the air bombing."

His son, Saif al-Islam, ruled out any possibility of surrender.

"I see ourselves as victorious, I see our position is strong," he said in a speech on state TV.
He did, however, urge the rebels to open talks.

"If you want peace, we are ready," he said.

The Libyan leader certainly has support in Tripoli, our correspondent says.

Pro-Gaddafi men and women have received weapons training in recent weeks, while checkpoints have sprung up across the city.

A Tripoli resident told Reuters that Muslim clerics had called for people to rise up in parts of the Libyan capital.

The resident said the imams made the call as Muslims were breaking their daytime fast during the holy month of Ramadan on Saturday evening.

In his audio message, Col Gaddafi condemned "traitors" who were "defiling mosques" in the mainly Muslim country.

Meanwhile, a small number of Britons who have remained in Libya's capital, Tripoli, were being evacuated on a ship to Malta, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.

'Rebel momentum'

Nato, enforcing a UN-mandated no-fly zone to protect civilians since March, controls sea access to the Libyan capital.

However, rebel military spokesman Col Ahmed Bani confirmed that rebel forces had fallen back in the eastern oil port of Brega.

Brega, home to Libya's second-largest hydrocarbon complex and where oil from the country's main fields is refined, has repeatedly changed hands during the six-month-old conflict.

"Yesterday, the industrial zone was under our complete control, but the truth is that today the situation has changed due to heavy artillery shelling," Col Bani said on Saturday.

"We withdrew to the eastern part of the industrial zone."

Meanwhile, reports suggest fresh senior figures in the Gaddafi camp may have defected:

• Abdel Salam Jalloud, who helped Col Gaddafi come to power in 1969 but fell out with him in the 1990s, is believed to be making his way to Europe from neighbouring Tunisia

• Libyan Oil Minister Omran Abukraa failed to return to Libya on Thursday after a visit to Italy and went to Tunisia instead, Tunisian sources said

Libya's conflict broke out in February, inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt which toppled the presidents of those countries.

Rebels in the east rapidly consolidated their gains, but a stalemate developed in the west as rebels there faced overwhelming military force.

Shein avipongeza vyombo vya habari vya SMZ

RAIS wa Zanzibar, Dk. Ali Mohamed Shein amesema ameridhishwa na utendaji wa vyombo vya habari vinavyomilikiwa na Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar (SMZ) katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yake ikiwemo kufikisha taarifa mbalimbali kwa wananchi.

Dk. Shein alisema hayo Ikulu wakati alipokutana na watendaji wa Wizara ya Habari, Utamaduni, Michezo na Utalii katika utaratibu wake wa kuonana na viongozi mbalimbali wa Serikali.

Alisema amefurahishwa na utendaji wa gazeti la Serikali la Zanzibar Leo ambalo limekuwa likitoa taarifa mbalimbali kwa wananchi kuhusu yanayotokea nchini na ulimwengu.

Aidha, alitaka kutolewa kwa elimu zaidi na wananchi kuelimishwa kuhusu mipango ya teknolojia ya kisasa ya digital ambayo inatazamiwa kutumiwa na vyombo vya habari vya televisheni na redio.

Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar inamiliki vyombo vya habari ikiwemo Sauti ya Tanzania pamoja na (TVZ) ambavyo hivi sasa vipo chini ya Shirika la Utangazaji la Zanzibar (ZBC).

Libya rebels capture key refinery

The BBC's Matthew Price in Tripoli says capturing the Zawiya refinery is a major coup for the rebels

An oil refinery outside the Libyan town of Zawiya, just 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, has been taken by opposition forces, a BBC correspondent confirms.

A BBC crew was taken around the refinery by the rebels who have captured the complex.

There was no sign of pro-Gaddafi troops, and dozens of rebel groups could be seen milling around.

This contradicts a statement by the Libyan PM who said earlier that government forces were in control.

There were no snipers, and the nearest fighting was at least 3-4km (two miles) away, says the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes at the refinery.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have lost territory to the rebels in recent days.

Rebel fighter Abdulkarim Kashaba said on Wednesday that they had taken "control [of] the gates of the refinery" and were planning an assault.

Heavy gunfire could be heard after rebels in cars loaded with large-calibre ammunition sped towards the refinery.

Although much of the fuel used by the Libyan army is smuggled across the border from Tunisia and Algeria, the refinery provides supplies for the capital, Tripoli, says the BBC's Matthew Price in Tripoli.

Rebels also appear to be consolidating their gains in Zawiya itself, and the Libyan army is clearly on the back foot, he adds.

Our correspondent notes that although the government is insisting it will fight back, there is a distinct nervousness among some government employees that has not been seen before.

Control of Zawiya is seen as important because it straddles a major road linking Tripoli to Tunisia.

If opposition forces could maintain control of the town, they would have Tripoli surrounded by land, with Nato - which has been enforcing a UN-mandated no-fly zone to protect civilians since March - blocking sea access

Eto'o move to Anzhi goes cold: Agent

Samuel Eto'o's agent says talks over a transfer worth 30-35 million euros from Inter to Anzhi Makhachkala have stalled.

 

 

The two clubs have been in talks about a sale, and it was believed that the Cameroonian 30-year-old had already agreed to personal terms on a three-year deal which could earn him a record- breaking £300,000 per week.

However, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that a planned medical in Rome for the move was put on hold as the clubs continue to search for an agreement on the transfer fee.

Now Eto'o's representative, Peppino Tirri, has cast doubt on the deal.

“I’m not optimistic at this moment in time,” Tirri said. “There are a few things that need to be sorted out. Nothing has been resolved. The deal is on ice for now.

“Negotiations have come to an end for today, we’ll talk again on Friday.”

Anzhi believe that a deal is nearing conclusion, with club representative German Tkachenko telling ANSA news agency: "We are very close. We could close today, tomorrow or next week."

Inter president Massimo Moratti has also confirmed that the interest from the Russians is real.

"When an offer like that comes around, it's difficult to match or refuse," Moratti told Gazetta dello Sport.
Eurosport

Eight dead in Israel 'terrorist wave'

GUNMEN yesterday opened fire on two Israeli buses in separate attacks near the southern city of Eilat, killing five and wounding many others before three were killed themselves.

The incidents prompted a defence official to describe the shootings as part of a ''wave of terrorist attacks''.

Israel Defence Forces killed three gunmen, a defence spokesman said, while in other incidents, attackers fired an anti-tank missile at a private car carrying civilians and a device exploded next to an IDF patrol.

Channel 10 in Israel reported a fourth attack by gunmen, but there was no official confirmation or details.

The military said a ''large number'' of assailants were working in multiple squads.

''We are talking about a terror squad that infiltrated into Israel,'' said Israeli military spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Avital Leibovich.

''This is a combined terrorist attack against Israelis.''

The exact number of dead and wounded remains unknown - a spokesman for Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat told The Age 29 people injured in the attacks had been brought to the hospital initially, seven had been sent on to Soroka Hospital in Beersheva and 19 had been released.

Israel's Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, said Palestinian terrorists were behind the coordinated attacks in southern Israel, local media reported.

''The event reflects the weakening of the Egyptian hold on Sinai and the expansion of terrorist action in the area. The source of the terror acts is Gaza, and we will act against them with full force and determination.'' A senior hamas leader in Gaza, Ahmad Yousef, denied the group's responsibility for the Eilat attacks. Yoram Meital, the chairman of the Herzog Centre for Middle East Studies, called for ''a careful, meticulous investigation into the attacks,'' saying it was too soon to tell who was responsible.

Ely Karmon, a senior researcher at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism (IDC Herzliya) said: ''It is quite clear that the bulk of the people who were in the teams that undertook the attacks were from Egypt … the question is whether this was a joint venture with the Palestinians or whether they were members of other Egyptian jihadist groups.''

AP reported that one of the bus drivers said he had seen Egyptian soldiers open fire, but military spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai said he was not aware of any Egyptian military involvement. Israeli forces tracked down some of the assailants and were engaged in an ongoing gunbattle with them, General Mordechai said.

The attackers fired mortars and an anti-tank missile.

The military spokesman's office said a roadside bomb was detonated when a military patrol arrived at the scene of the bus attack and drove over the device.

General Mordechai said the nature of the attack indicated that it had been well planned.

The military said several assailants had been killed in the shootout with Israeli forces, but did not give a number.

A doctor at the main hospital in the area said the medical facility had been put on an emergency alert.
Israel Radio said roadblocks were thrown up in the area and that entrances and exits to Eilat were sealed.

Senior Israeli defence officials convened in emergency session at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.
Initial reports indicated that the attacks began when three gunmen travelling in a car along Highway 12, which follows the Israel-Egypt border, fired at the bus carrying soldiers and civilians from Beersheva to Eilat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ''getting updates about the wave of terrorist attacks in the south'' and holding consultations with the minister of defence and the army, he said.

General Mordechai said the attacks were part of a ''grave and complex event'' in which civilians and soldiers were injured.

Al-Jazeera reported that most of the passengers on the first bus were Israeli soldiers and residents of Eilat and were on their way from their bases to go home for the weekend.

Mourinho 'destroying Spanish football', says Barcelona's Gerard Piqué

Gerard Piqué, left, reckons José Mourinho is the main reason for the off-field melees that have marred recent Clásicos

Barcelona's defender Gerard Piqué has accused the Real Madrid coach, José Mourinho, of "destroying Spanish football" after an ill-tempered Supercopa final.

Mourinho, as he was in England and Italy, has quickly become a contentious figure in Spain and under his watch last season Real had four men sent off in five games against their deadliest rivals.

Barcelona won the trophy as two goals from Lionel Messi secured a late 3-2 victory – a 5-4 win on aggregate – but there was still time for another Real red card as a brutal challenge from Marcelo on Cesc Fábregas resulted in him being dismissed in the closing moments.

A huge melee unfolded involving players, substitutes and staff from both sides, with Mesut Ozil and David Villa both shown red cards despite having already been substituted.

Mourinho, meanwhile, may come under scrutiny for his role in the fracas as he was pictured heading towards the Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova and making contact with his face. Vilanova responded by pushing Mourinho, who walked away grinning.

After the game Piqué fumed at the Portuguese's actions, saying: "I do not talk about the brawl. But it's a shame, it is not the first time and it's always the same.

"Someone has to take action on the matter. Mourinho is destroying Spanish football. There is talk about the Catalans, but the problem is with Madrid. I think it's going too far. It cannot always end well. In the end this will end very badly."

Mourinho's opposite number Pep Guardiola did not address the issue but had a word of caution for those involved in the tense atmosphere on the pitch.

"The images speak for themselves. We must be careful, because one day we will cause harm, not on the field but off, and we're all a little responsible for this."

Picha ya leo

Haya ni majengo yaliyopo katika ukanda wa bahari ya Hindi nchini Somalia. Angalia picha hii kwa makini kisha ujiulize wewe mwenyewe majengo hayo yalikuwa mzuri namna gani kabla ya vita vya wenyewe kwa wenyewe?

Assad must resign, says Obama

Barack Obama has led a demand by world leaders for the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, to surrender power. The US president declared that the "sustained onslaught" of Assad's regime against pro-democracy protesters had cost it all legitimacy.

The US president was joined by David Cameron of Britain, Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Angela Merkel of Germany, as well as the European Union in demanding Assad immediately resign.

Obama said the Syrian people's pursuit of democracy was an inspiration that had been met with "ferocious brutality" by their government.

"The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way. His calls for dialogue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own people," Obama said.

"We have consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition or get out of the way. He has not led. For the sake of the Syrian people the time has come for President Assad to step aside."

David Cameron issued a joint statement with and Merkel that noted Assad had ignored appeals from other Middle East states, the Arab League and the United Nations security council to end the violent crackdown.


Bashar al-Assad is guilty of a brutal crackdown that leaves him with no legitimacy as president of Syria, Barack Obama and EU leaders have declared

"Our three countries believe that President Assad, who is resorting to brutal military force against his own people and who is responsible for the situation, has lost all legitimacy and can no longer claim to lead the country. We call on him to face the reality of the complete rejection of his regime by the Syrian people and to step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people."

The EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said there had been a "complete loss of Bashar Assad's legitimacy in the eyes of the Syrian people".

Obama said the US was stepping up sanctions against Syria, including freezing its assets and banning petroleum products of Syrian origin, to put pressure on Assad to leave office. But he insisted that "the United States cannot and will not impose this transition upon Syria".

"It is up to the Syrian people to choose their own leaders, and we have heard their strong desire that there not be foreign intervention in their movement," Obama said.

"What the United States will support is an effort to bring about a Syria that is democratic, just and inclusive for all Syrians. We will support this outcome by pressuring President Assad to get out of the way of this transition, and standing up for the universal rights of the Syrian people along with others in the international community."

The US has calibrated its response to the violence in Syria, wary of Damascus's role as a strategic key to the Arab world and the risk the crisis could be exported beyond its borders.

Washington has also been cautious about putting its authority on the line, fearing damage to its standing if Assad were to defy its calls for him to go.

The call from western capitals came as it was revealed that UN human rights investigators have listed the names of 50 regime figures who could be prosecuted by the international criminal court (ICC) for crimes committed against civilians during the violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

The list is believed to contain officials from the president's inner circle and security agencies. It marks the first time that government insiders have faced the prospect of criminal charges since the five-month uprising began.

A decision on whether to refer the names to the ICC is likely to be made on Thursday.

The UN report accuses officials of torture, summary executions and abuse of children – allegations that could amount to crimes against humanity. It accuses security forces of indiscriminately firing at demonstrators, sometimes from helicopters, and says injured protesters have been killed inside hospitals, sometimes being locked alive in mortuary freezers. It says Syrian officials confirmed that around 1,900 demonstrators had been killed by mid-July, and states that hundreds more have been killed since then.

"Children have not only been targeted by security forces, but they have been repeatedly subject to the same human rights and criminal violations as adults, including torture," the report said.

The report's authors were denied access to Syria and spent four months interviewing defectors and demonstrators who had fled the country.

Dozens of former members of the security forces have made their way to Amman and Istanbul, where they have detailed the orders given to them by senior officers to attack demonstrators.

Activists and defectors have compiled details of alleged atrocities by troops whose commanders insist they are targeting terrorists holding their communities to ransom.

The communities themselves have regularly given a diametrically opposed version of events, claiming that the armed men terrorising them are government-backed militias, known as al-shabiha or ghosts, who work with security forces.

One defector, a conscript who was deployed to the southern city of Dera'a in April, told the Guardian that his unit's first order was not to shoot at armed men. "The officer said they were with us," the soldier said. "They said we were only to shoot at the demonstrators."

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday night with the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, Assad said the operations in the restive Syrian cities of Latakia and Homms had finished. However, activists on the ground reported on Wednesday that security forces were still active in both places.

In Latakia, a Mediterranean port city that has been the subject of a four-day military assault, security centres were overflowing with detainees and hundreds of prisoners were being held in the city's main football stadium and a cinema.

The push into Latakia ordered by commanders this week was stridently criticised by other nations in the region, with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Tunisia and Qatar withdrawing their ambassadors and Turkey warning it had uttered its "last words" on the crackdown.

Messi double sinks Real Madrid in Camp Nou thriller (Spanish Super Cup)

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona downed Real Madrid 3-2 to claim the Spanish Super Cup in a wonderful contest at the Camp Nou that was marred by a late fued on the touchline involving both teams.

Real had fought back twice on the night as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo (20) and Karim Benzema (81) had cancelled out goals by Andres Iniesta (15) and Messi (44) for the home side before Messi's second of the night on 86 minutes enabled Barca to claim the trophy with a 5-4 win on aggregate. The pair had contested a 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeau on Sunday.

All hell let loose two minutes into four added on by the referee as Marcelo's disgraceful late challenge on Barca debutant Cesc Fabregas - who replaced Pedro with eight minutes remaining after his £35 million switch from Arsenal - prompted a feud on the touchline between players and officials from both clubs.

Marcelo was shown a straight red card as players from both sides pushed and shoved each other with Real boss Jose Mourinho appearing to prod a Barca assistant coach in the eye with his finger.

The German international midfielder Mesut Ozil also had to be restrained before the referee sparked wild celebrations on the home bench as Barca lifted the first major trophy of the season in Spain.

Pictures of the game:



Barcelona's players celebrate after scoring a goalduring the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona



Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) scores a goal under the look of Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.


Barcelona's forward David Villa (3rdR) celebrates with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (2ndR) and teammates after scoring a goal during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.


Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) argues with Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique (L) during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Barcelona won the Spanish Supercup 3-2


Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) and Barcelona's forward David Villa (L) wait to kick off aftera Real Madrid's scoring during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.


Barcelona's midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrates his goal during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona


Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celerates after scoring a goal during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Barcelona won the Spanish Supercup 3-2.


Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (L) battles for the ball against Real Madrid's Pepe during their Spanish Supercup second leg soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona


Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the second leg of the Spanish Supercup football match (FC) Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF on August 17, 2011 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona


Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (L) battles for the ball against Real Madrid's Pepe during their Spanish Supercup second leg soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona


Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola (R) and Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho gesture during their Spanish Supercup second leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona


Barcelona's David Villa (R) tries to block Real Madrid's Di Maria during their Spanish Supercup second leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium

Migrant schools closed in Chinese capital

Thousands of migrant workers' children in Beijing have been left with no school to attend after officials abruptly closed their schools.

State media said some 14,000 children in three districts of the Chinese capital had been hit.

Officials said the schools had not met safety standards or were unapproved.

The move has sparked concern over discrimination against the children of migrant workers, who are not allowed to attend state-funded schools.

Under China's household registration (or Hukou) system, its tens of millions of migrant workers remain registered in their home towns even if they move to the city to work.

Without a "city" registration, they do not have access to some state-subsidised services, like health and education.

So the children of migrant workers often have to attend cheap, privately-run schools, some of which have not been approved by the authorities.

State-run Xinhua news agency said 24 schools in Beijing's Haidian, Chaoyang and Daxing districts had been closed just before the start of the new term.

Xie Zhenqing, the head teacher of one of the schools that was demolished, said her 1,400 students now had nowhere to go.

"I know nothing about what they are going do with the students and teachers, when the school will reopen, any relevant polices, what their plan is, I know nothing, they just shut down the school all of a sudden," she told AFP news agency.

Education officials told Xinhua news agency that the schools were closed because they did not meet official standards on construction, sports facilities and other safety issues.

But the head teacher of one closed facility said it was unrealistic to expect migrant schools to meet these standards.

Zhang Zhiqiang, founder of aid group Migrant Workers' Friend, told AFP the move highlighted discrimination against migrant workers, and Xinhua news agency said the issue had sparked "wide public concerns over inequality in education".

Debate has increased over the household registration system in recent years, with some academics calling for it to be abolished.

Abductors make ransom demand for release of John Mikel Obi's father

Abductors have made a 20m naira (£78,509) ransom demand for the release of Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi's father, Nigerian police said.

Michael Obi, who runs a transport firm in Jos, has not been seen since Friday.

On Tuesday Obi's family were called twice by the abductors who told them Michael had been moved to Lagos.

They contacted the family again on Wednesday to make the ransom demand, but police have not revealed if further negotiations are taking place.

In the second call on Tuesday the abductors gave the family the location of the car which Michael Obi was driving when he went missing.

The vehicle was then found in Jos, but the Obi family declined to say where exactly it was recovered.

Speaking before the ransom demand, Babawo Muhamed, a close friend of the Chelsea player, told BBC Sport: "Yes, they found his car and spoke with them which is a positive step forward.

"Hopefully, they will be in touch again. Mikel has been greatly affected by this. But he is holding on."

The family held a prayer vigil at the family compound on Monday.

Obi was told of his father's abduction before Sunday's goalless Premier League draw between Chelsea and Stoke City, but decided to play.

"I've always tried to help the country. This is the time for the country to help me," Mikel said on Monday.

"Whoever knows where my dad is should please contact me."

It is not the first time a relative of a Premier League player has been abducted in Nigeria. Former Everton defender Joseph Yobo's brother was kidnapped in 2008.

British Honeymooner Killed by Shark in the Seychelles

Officials in the Seychelles banned swimming in some areas Wednesday after a British man on his honeymoon was mauled to death by a shark.

Thirty-year-old Ian Redmond was the second tourist to die this month from a shark attack in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Media reports say the victim's wife watched helplessly from the beach as her husband was attacked off the island of Praslin on Tuesday. Police say the shark ripped off the man's arm and even though he was picked up by a nearby boat, he did not survive the loss of blood.

Authorities say they will try to capture the shark and have requested help from experts in South Africa in identifying what type it is.

The Seychelles is world famous for its beaches and was the honeymoon destination of Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine last May.

Ugandan police break up opposition vigil

Uganda's government says it will not tolerate an Egypt-style uprising

Ugandan police have fired tear gas and water cannon filled with a pink dye to break up an opposition vigil near the capital, Kampala.

Several hundred opposition supporters gathered for a "light a candle" ceremony to mourn at least nine people killed during protests in April.

Police said the meeting was illegal and could cause violence.

The opposition has vowed to step up protests against President Yoweri Museveni's government.

The BBC's Joshua Mmali in Kampala says police fired water cannon and tear gas to prevent the vigil from taking place in the city's Kirera suburb.

The parliamentary leader of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, Nandala Mafabi, was forced to leave after being drenched by the water cannon, our correspondent says.
'Preventing the worst'
FDC Deputy Foreign Secretary Anne Mugisha said police had criminalised the event.

"Police deployed early and turned Kireka town into a battlefield. They were determined to fight and as usual they found an excuse to brutalise peaceful activists - but we are not deterred a bit," she told Reuters news agency.

Police spokesman Ibn Senkumbi said the security forces intervened because they did not want violence to erupt.

"We didn't allow the crowd to grow big because we wanted to prevent the worst from happening. We were not opposed to the rally but they refused to listen to us on the venue where they should stage it," Mr Senkumbi said.

Mr Museveni - who has been in power since 1986 - has accused the opposition of plotting an Egypt-style uprising after failing to beat him in elections in February.

In April the opposition organised "walk to work" protests against the rising cost of food and fuel in Uganda.

The opposition says security forces were responsible for the deaths of at least nine people during the protests.

FDC leader Kizza Besigye was beaten up, arrested and charged - among others - with disobeying lawful orders and inciting violence.

Last week a court dropped the charges.

Thousands protest outside jail where Anna Hazare held in India

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told parliament that the hunger strike by the anti-corruption activist, Anna Hazare, is "totally misconceived".

He said the 74-year-old was trying to circumvent democracy by demanding the overhaul of an anti-corruption bill.

Mr Hazare spent the night inside Tihar jail in Delhi after rejecting an offer by the authorities to release him.

Protests backing his campaign have been gathering momentum across the country and thousands have gathered outside the prison where he is being held.

Tottenham in talks to sign Man City's Emmanuel Adebayor

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed the club are in talks with Manchester City over a loan move for 27-year-old striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor fell out with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini last year and spent a spell on loan at Real Madrid.

Spurs and City have been in talks for some time over a deal, with Adebayor's reported £170,000 a week wage packet proving to be the only real problem.

"The chairman is talking to Man City about the player," said Redknapp.

ADEBAYOR'S CAREER

• Born 26 February 1984, Togo
• Metz (2001-2003)
• Monaco (2003-2006)
• Arsenal (2006-2009)
• Manchester City (2009-2011)
• Real Madrid (2011-)
• 38 caps for Togo, 16 goals

Redknapp added: "Where they [the negotiations] are at, I genuinely don't know."

Mancini has made it clear Adebayor, who joined City from Arsenal in a £25m deal in July 2009, has no future at the club, while Adebayor said in April that he wished to remain with Real.

The former Togo international scored twice against Tottenham in the Champions League quarter-final first leg clash between the two teams at the Bernabeu.

During that match, Spurs fans chanted abusive songs at the former Arsenal marksman, but the player himself said this summer the songs would not put him off signing for Redknapp's team.

Tottenham are on the search for a new striker having recently sold Robbie Keane to LA Galaxy.

Redknapp has been linked with a number of other strikers this summer, including FC Twente forward Bryan Ruiz.

The Spurs boss was in the Netherlands to watch the Costa Rica international score in Twente's 2-2 draw with Benfica on Tuesday night, but admits a deal for the frontman is unlikely as he is more concerned about adding to his midfield, which has been hit by injuries to key players.

"I went and watched the game and watched him play," said Redknapp. "He is a good player but we are more desperate in other areas.

"I don't think anything is going to happen. He's a good player that I have watched before. I just like going to watch football matches so I thought I'd just go and see the game."


Meanwhile, Redknapp is facing an injury crisis ahead of their Europa League play-off first leg clash against Hearts on Wednesday with six midfielders unavailable.

Luka Modric - who is wanted by Chelsea - is out with a groin injury.

The Blues are reportedly set to return with a new offer for the Croatian, but Redknapp insists the club's stance that the 25-year-old will not be sold has not changed.

"I don't know where it's at and Daniel [Levy] has said all along that he is not going to sell Luka so that is probably it as far as I know," Redknapp added.

"There is no sign of him going. It's an area we need to strengthen and we have one or two irons in the fire.

"We are trying [to get players in]. We have some names and we are trying to get one or two in. We need to do a little bit of business."

Manchester City close to signing Samir Nasri from Arsenal

Manchester City are close to agreeing a deal to sign Samir Nasri from Arsenal.

The transfer could be finalised in the next 24 hours, with City paying Arsenal a reported £25m.

Nasri, who joined the Gunners from Marseille in 2008, is into the final 12 months of his contract and has rejected a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The France midfielder, 24, would become the second high-profile departure from Arsenal this week after Cesc Fabregas joined Barcelona on Monday.

Nasri used social networking site Twitter to congratulate Fabregas on his move and criticise Gunners fans who directed an abusive chant towards him during Saturdays 0-0 draw at Newcastle.

NASRI - CAREER STATS

• Born: 26 June 1987, Marseille
• Height: 5ft 10in
• Position: attacking midfield
• Marseille: 145 apps, 11 goals
• Arsenal: 124 apps, 27 goals
• France: 24 apps, 2 goals

"I heard what the fans were singing about me on Saturday and it is really disrespectful because I'm still a [sic] Arsenal player", he wrote.

There were suggestions Nasri would undergo a medical on Wednesday - and camera crews gathered at the Bridgewater Hospital.

But that was never likely because the clubs were - and are still are - in negotiations and no medical can take place until a deal is agreed.

Arsenal began discussions with Nasri in December 2010 but the Frenchman is understood to have stalled on a new three-year contract worth £90,000 a week - and in June he cast further doubt over his future.


The Gunners reportedly turned down a £20m bid from from Manchester United in early July and manager Arsenal Wenger said he was prepared to lose Nasri on a free transfer next summer rather than sell him now.

"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," stated Wenger. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.

"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you."

City boss Roberto Mancini then made clear his intention to bring Nasri to Eastlands and although Wenger claimed on Monday that the player may yet stay, the situation has since developed.

If the deal goes through Nasri will receive a huge pay rise and become Mancini's third major summer signing following the arrivals of Gael Clichy, Stefan Savic and Sergio Aguero.

Nasri has scored 27 goals in 124 appearances for Arsenal and has won 23 caps for France.