6 people were injured in a crowd crush at Cape Town's main World Cup fan zone

Six people were injured in a crowd crush at Cape Town’s main World Cup fan zone Thursday when thousands of fans attempted to get into the venue, a city spokesman said. “People were anxious to get in and just surged ahead. Fortunately it was a contained incident and calm was restored quickly,” city spokesman Pieter Cronje said.All the injured were South African and officials have prevented people from entering the fan zone at Cape Town’s historic Grand Parade where Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech as a free man after his release from prison in 1990.

The Grand Parade viewing area is the largest of 10 special fan zones scattered across South Africa’s Western Cape province.Cronje said an estimated 16,500 people had streamed to the venue in Cape Town’s city center to see a concert and fireworks display ahead of Africa’s first hosting of the tournament.

Police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said police tried to warn the public through loudhailers that the viewing area was full, but they continued pushing forward.”People at the back then kept moving forward and a crush ensued,” Van Wyk said in a statement. Three people were injured, one man suffered a broken leg and two women sustained broken ankles.

At least 15 people were injured last Sunday when fans tried to force their way into a match between Nigeria and North Korea.Excitement among South Africans is reaching fever pitch with less than 24 hours to the host nation’s opening game and tournament kick-off against Mexico in Johannesburg.(Reuters)

South African split on Mandela's attendance at opening

JOHANNESBURG South African soccer fans are split whether Nelson Mandela should attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup.Mandela, who emerged from 27 years in prison under the former government’s oppressive apartheid system to eventually become president, is expected to make an appearance at Soccer City on Friday ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

“It is important for our country (that he attend) as he is the one that united our nation, especially through his attendance of the 1995 Rugby World Cup,” said Lardus Bosman, a 21-year-old university student in Pretoria. “And as he might be reaching the end of his life, it is important that he should attend this historical South African event.”Mandela took over as president in 1994, four years after being released from jail, and will be remembered for his role in changing the fate of many South Africans by fostering democracy in the country.

His attendance at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, when South Africa surprisingly beat New Zealand following years of exile from international sport, was seen by many as the moment when South Africans were truly united – partly because “Madiba” congratulated former captain Francois Pienaar while wearing a green Springboks shirt.But some people are more concerned about the 91-year-old Mandela’s health, and believe he should not travel to Soccer City if he is too frail.

“The Bafana team should rather visit him at his house before the opening match so that he can wish them good luck,” said An-Li Pretorius, a 23-year-old professional cyclist.Rebecka Lesedi, a 49-year-old domestic worker, agreed that Mandela should stay indoors and watch the ceremony at home.

“He’s too old,” Lesedi said.Hanco Kaggelhoffer, another professional cyclist, suggested that Mandela should appear at the ceremony via satellite. And Mmathapelo Zondo, an 18-year-old university student, agreed that a video message would be OK if the former president can’t make it on his own.

“If his health is not good, he should not be pushed to attend the ceremony, and a live message from him to the South African team should rather be broadcasted,” Zondo said.FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Sunday he did not know if Mandela would be at the ceremony, but if not, “his spirit will be present.”

Mandela has a reputation for inspiring teams to victory with his presence, known as the “Madiba magic.” A year after the Rugby World Cup, he wore a Bafana Bafana shirt before their triumph in the 1996 African Cup of Nations – still South Africa’s only major soccer title.

But Mandela, who stepped down as South Africa’s first black president in 1999, has rarely appeared in public since 2004. He did, however, make a surprise appearance last year at an ANC rally before the national election, and was photographed with the World Cup trophy last month.

The World Cup is being in held in Africa for the first time, and Mandela was a key factor in South Africa’s winning bid. But Johannes Segeri, a 25-year-old waiter, said the raucous African atmosphere that is sure to mark the festive occasion could cause problems for Mandela.”The loud vuvuzelas and the excitement of the crowd will be too much for him to handle,” Segeri said.(AP)

Two bomb blasts hit the mosque in the Somali capital, The explosion killed at least 25 people and wounding dozens more

Mogadishu – Two bomb blasts hit the mosque in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The explosion killed at least 25 people and wounding dozens more.Explosion rocked the mosque is located in an area very crowded Bakara Market. When the explosion happened many people were praying in the mosque.

“The body count that we have collected 25,” said Muse Ali, head of ambulance services told AFP on Sunday (01/05/2010).This bomb blast is the second attack this week aimed to mosques in the Bakara Market, an area controlled by two rebel groups namely Al Hizbul Shabaab and the Islamic.There is no party which claimed responsibility for the blast. But a witness said, the senior leadership of Al-Shabaab, which is Fuad Mohamed Khalaf become one of the victims were injured. Khalad estimated is the target of this attack.

Somali Pirates plants to Blow the Ship Oil for $ 20 million

Nairobi  Somali pirates on Wednesday threatened to blow up a ship hijacked the majors unless the ransom was paid $ 20 million, and hijack a Panamanian-flagged merchant ship. South Korea sent a destroyer to ambush dream Samho carrying two million barrels of crude oil with a crew that includes five South Koreans and 19 citizens of the Philippines, after the ship was seized this month.

“We are demanding $ 20 million ransom for the release of South Korean ship,” said Hashi, leader of the pirates that controlled the ship was owned by a Singapore company. “The ship and its crew safe. We know that a number of warships to attack plan, but told them that the ship will be detonated if they attack us,” said the pirate nest in Hobyo.

Meanwhile, Andrew Mwangura, officials of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme based in Kenya, said the Panamanian-flagged vessel MV VOC controlled pirate Daisy at dawn at the site some 190 kilometers southeast of the port Salalah in Oman. The ship was manned by 21 Filipinos.

He said the big ship sailing from the United Arab Emirates to a port that is not mentioned on the Suez Canal when it was hijacked. It is unclear what brought the ship of goods.

EU naval patrols in the area confirmed the hijacking of ships weighing 47,183 tons of it in the news site. Three hijacked Thai fishing vessel at the weekend and a series of failed attacks launched since then.

Pirates operating off the coast of Somalia to increase piracy attacks on ships in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden in recent months despite a foreign navy held off the coast of the Horn of Africa . The waters off the coast of Somalia is home to most piracy-prone world, and the International Maritime Bureau reporting 24 attacks in the region between April and June 2008 alone.

The pirates attacked more than 130 merchant ships in that year, an increase of more than 200 percent of the attacks in 2007, according to the International Maritime Bureau. Pirate groups in Somalia, which operates in a strategic sea lane that connects Asia and Europe, making millions of dollars in ransoms from hijacking ships in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

Multinational naval patrols in the strategic sea route connecting Europe with Asia through the Gulf of Aden availability appears that only the bands of pirates operating expand their attacks deeper into the Indian Ocean.

Pirate the failed Horn of Africa country is currently holding a dozen ships and over 200 crew, including British couples ship hijacked off the Seychelles. Security Council has approved the operation of incursions into Somali territorial waters to fight piracy, but warships patrolling the area did not do much, according to Puntland Fisheries Minister Ahmed Saed Ali Nur.

the weak Somali transitional government, currently battling a bloody insurgency, is not able to stop the action of the pirates who hijack ships and demand ransom for the release of vessels and their crews. Pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles, using speedboats to pursue their goal. Submerged Somalia since the lifting of energy and anarchism war commanders overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. In addition to piracy, kidnappings and deadly violence have also affected the country.( Reuters)

Mogadishu The explosion of landmines in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu has killed eight people

Mogadishu The explosion of landmines in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu has killed eight people, and mortar shells that insurgents fired at the city’s airport when the president arrived injuring six people, witnesses said, and medical parties, Sunday. Al Shabaab guerrillas fired mortar shells perluru-soon after the plane carrying President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and the speaker of parliament landed Saturday night. Peace army troops the African Union (AU) reply to the attack by guerrillas firing bases.

“All is not mortar shells hit the airport but landed in civilian areas,” said Ali Muse, coordinator of the ambulance service told AFP. He said five people died in Bakara market, where the Al Shabaab often launch attacks. Four of them are women. On Tuesday, the UN urged the security forces of Somalia, AU troops and Islamic guerrillas do not attack blindly into areas that many of its inhabitants, and say this is a violation of the laws of war.

Since the overthrow of a dictator in 1991, Somalia has no effective government for nearly two decades. Residents in the area of settlement Waberi, the capital, said eight people were killed when a landmine planted near a coffee shop which are frequently visited by government troops exploded Saturday night, agakya in a single attack on security forces.

“The blast killed five soldiers and three civilians. The pieces of human flesh are everywhere and some of the injured victims screaming for help,” said Joseph Abdulqader eyewitness told Reuters. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but accused the families of the action was carried out Al Shabaab. “They killed our people, they ignored our people, our flag, and our sovereignty,” cried Fadumo Abdi, a son killed in the blast.

Somalia’s parliament is expected to convene Sunday for the first time since December after repeatedly delayed, but the trial was suspended for four days due to “technical reasons”. A number of Somali MPs leave Somalia to save themselves in the state of African countries, Europe and the United States, could cause ttidak parliament to convene a quorum.( Reuters)

Shakira and South African band Freshlyground has been chosen as the official World Cup anthem

JOHANNESBURG  A song by Colombian pop star Shakira and South African band Freshlyground has been chosen as the official World Cup anthem.The song, “Time for Africa,” is expected to be released to radio stations across the world next week and will be available for download beginning April 26.

Shakira and Cape Town’s Freshlyground will perform the song at the World Cup kickoff concert in Soweto on June 10, and at the tournament’s opening ceremony and before the July 11 final.Freshlyground made the announcement Friday.(AP)

http://www.youtube.com/v/7GRk52yRXYY&rel=0&fs=1

Madonna laid the first brick of her new girls' academy near Malawi's capital Tuesday

LILONGWE, Malawi Madonna laid the first brick of her new girls’ academy near Malawi’s capital Tuesday, in which she encouraged Malawian girls to “dare to dream,” according to the inscription on the brick.The pop star said it has long been her dream to build a girls’ school. She said she hopes the girls attending the academy will go on to become doctors, lawyers and future leaders of their country.The $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls is scheduled to open in 2011, and will assist 500 orphaned children.

At the same event, Madonna also launched a telecommunications and fundraising initiative that aims to provide education to children around the world by offering secondary school scholarships and by supporting schools in developing countries in accessing the internet.”Kids will be able to connect with kids from the other parts of the world,” the singer said. “This will promote peace throughout the world.”Telecommunications giant Ericsson will donate computers to various schools in 11 African countries through the United Nations Millennium Village initiative, where model villages are established to demonstrate how the quality of life in African rural areas can be improved through community-led development.Daughters Lourdes and Mercy accompanied Madonna to Tuesday’s ceremony.

The pop diva looked relaxed as she used a trowel to turn the earth. She wore a long-sleeved striped top, white cotton slacks, a patterned scarf and pale ballet flats. She also wore a black-banded straw hat and dark sunglasses on the sunny day.Madonna arrived in Malawi on Monday for a weeklong charity tour to inspect projects she established since her first visit in 2006 while filming a documentary on its devastating poverty and AIDS crisis.Madonna has adopted two Malawian children, David Banda and Mercy Chifundo James, both four. She also funds six Malawian orphanages, which feed, clothe and educate some 25,000 orphans. (AP)

China-based hackers stole Indian national security information, 1,500 e-mails from the Dalai Lama's office and other sensitive documents

BEIJING China-based hackers stole Indian national security information, 1,500 e-mails from the Dalai Lama’s office and other sensitive documents, a new report said Tuesday.Researchers at the University of Toronto said they were able to observe the hacking and trace it to core servers located in China and to people based in the southwestern city of Chengdu. The researchers said they monitored the hacking for the past eight months.

The report said it has no evidence of involvement by the Chinese government, but it again put Beijing on the defensive. Separate reports earlier this year said security investigators had traced attacks on Google and other companies to China-based computers.”We have from time to time heard this kind of news. I don’t know the purpose of stirring up these issues,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference in response to questions about the report.

“We are firmly opposed to various kinds of hacking activities through the Internet,” Jiang said. She said China will fight cybercrime according to law.She added the researchers have not formally contacted China.The report describes a hacking operation called the “Shadow network” that researchers were able to observe as it broke into computers and took information, including computers at Indian diplomatic offices in Kabul, Moscow and elsewhere.

The report said the researchers were able to recover Indian national security documents marked “secret” and “confidential,” including ones referring to security in India’s far northeast, which borders China. Others related to India’s relationships in the Middle East, Africa and Russia.

Researchers also recovered 1,500 e-mails sent from the Dalai Lama’s office between January and November 2009, the report said.A map in the report showed computers were compromised on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. One was a United Nations computer, at the U.N.’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.”In addition we found personal banking information, scans of identification documents, job (and other) applications, legal documents and information about ongoing court cases,” the report said.

The identity and motivation of the hackers remain unknown, the report said.”We have no evidence in this report of the involvement of the People’s Republic of China,” it added. “But an important question to be entertained is whether the PRC will take action to shut the Shadow network down.”

There was no immediate comment Tuesday from the government in India, China’s massive neighbor to the south with which it has a growing military rivalry and lingering territorial disputes.Rob Deibert, director of the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, said the Indian government was notified in February.”Their reaction was that they were very grateful. They were going to look into it further and they asked for continued dialogue and cooperation between us,” Deibert said in a telephone interview.

“A small portion of it contained very very sensitive information, some of it market secret, some of it marked confidential, some of marked restricted,” he said. “It was a major compromise across all aspects of the Indian national security state.”Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna is visiting China this week to take part in celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.

The office of the Dalai Lama was aware of new hacking report.”These things are not new,” said Tenzin Takhlha, a spokesman for the office of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader accused by China of supporting independence for Tibet. He said the office is working closely with the researchers to secure its computer systems.

A Canadian research group involved in Tuesday’s report, the Information Warfare Monitor, released a similar report a year ago that said a cyberspy network, based mainly in China, hacked into classified documents from government and private organizations in 103 countries, including the computers of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan exiles.Tibet’s government-in-exile quickly denounced that network at the time.(AP)

Alicia Keys, Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend would be among the performers hitting the stage on June 10 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg

Kicking off one of the world’s biggest sporting events should be the job of some equally big superstars. The 2010 FIFA World Cup did its best to recruit A-list artists, and on Wednesday, the soccer organization confirmed that Alicia Keys, Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend would be among the performers hitting the stage on June 10 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg, South Africa.”It’s going to be insane,” Keys told MTV News, shortly after the announcement.

“I’m very excited about going to Africa, and the fact that the World Cup is in Africa is unbelievable for me! To be a part of that is incredible.”

Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and South African rock group BLK JKS will be among the musicians celebrating the first World Cup on their continent. The opening celebration, which is held on the eve of the first match, will also likely include appearances by soccer legends past and present, plenty of celebrity power and more performances to be announced soon.

Keys is excited to go back to Africa and work with her Keep a Child Alive foundation, which provides support for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. FIFA is doing its part to help too: All net proceeds from the concert will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, a campaign to build soccer-training centers in Africa that will also offer education and health-care services to disadvantaged communities.

Niger's military plans to run the uranium-exporting country until politicians agree on a new constitution

NIAMEY Niger’s military plans to run the uranium-exporting country until politicians agree on a new constitution and are ready for fresh elections, West Africa’s regional mediator said after meeting the junta on Sunday.No timeframe has been set for the transition back to civilian rule but a spokesman for the junta said on Sunday that elections would be held “as soon as possible” and the situation was similar to a coup in 1999 that led to transparent elections.

Niger’s military ousted President Mamadou Tandja in a swift coup last week, putting an end to months of political wrangling between him and the opposition.The seizure was formally condemned but it is also widely seen at home and abroad as a chance to end a political impasse.”They have assured us there will be an opening for everyone here in Niger, for an inter-Nigerien dialogue,” Mohamed Ibn Chambas, president of the ECOWAS Commission, told reporters after meeting the military junta.

“It is this process that will lead to a new constitution and credible elections,” Chambas added. “They said they want a short transition that ends as soon as possible, but it is also the political dialogue that will define the timetable.”Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital Niamey on Saturday to show support for the army, but also to call for elections to be organized.Tandja and his rivals were locked in a dispute over the president’s extension and deepening of his powers last year, a move that drew criticism and sanctions from abroad.

Although he held a successful referendum that officially gave him three more years in power after his mandate ran out in December, the row divided the nation. The military ended it by blasting their way into Tandja’s palace to arrest him.The junta says it had to act to end tensions.”We were encouraged by the fact that the authorities themselves are mindful that this is not their normal function and they are eager to finish this task and go back to their normal military and security duties,” Chambas said.

COUP-HAPPY ARMY?

It was the third coup in West Africa in the last 18 months, in what some observers say is an alarming shift away from democracy in a region seeking stability and investment.But a spokesman for the military junta, known as the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, said the 1999 coup, when the army ousted the president but held elections soon afterwards, should allay concerns about the military’s plans.”If you want proof, in 1999 we had a similar situation and we handed back power and we had 10 years of stability. We are going to do the same thing,” Colonel Djibril Hamidou Hima said.Hamidou Hima also rejected accusations that the army, which has ousted four of Niger’s presidents, was too eager to step in.

“This is not the case. We left the political actors to try and find a solution. This did not happen. Social tensions got worse. We didn’t launch a coup we just re-imposed legitimacy, because this had already disappeared,” he said.Hamidou Hima said Tandja was being held in a villa in Niamey. The prime minister, interior minister and finance minister are also under house arrest.Despite a flurry of international criticism and Niger’s suspension from the African Union, many in Niger and diplomatic circles say the ousting of Tandja has unblocked a political stalemate that months of ECOWAS-run talks failed to resolve. (Reuters)