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Journalism of Courage
Nairobi: Voters in Kenya were today given another 24 hours to cast their ballots in the country’s second ever general elections to elect a new president and parliament amid opposition charges of vote rigging and post poll violence that claimed three lives. Polling opened early today in Kenya’s second ever elections amid tight security and confusion with several polling stations either not opening or opening late due to lack of adequate ballots or ballot boxes and absence of officers.
Iraq rations
Baghdad: The Iraqi government said on Sunday it will reduce baby milk rations by a third next month, blaming the US and Britain for delaying supplies. “At a time when children of the world gather to celebrate the New Year, the American administration and the British government are intentionally punishing the Iraqi children,” said a trade ministry statement. The ministry said the US and Britain were delaying the arrival of baby milk supplies, although contracts were signed in August and registered at the UN sanctions committee in September. As a result, rations will be reduced by 33 percent in January.
Zardari arrives
Islamabad: An armoured personnel carrier took the husband of former PRIME minister Benazir Bhutto from his cell in southern Karachi to the airport on Monday where he was flown to the federal capital to take his oath of office as senator, nine months after being elected. Asif Zardari, who has been in jail since his wife’s government was dismissed last year, was whisked away from the Islamabad international airport in a convoy of police vehicles.
British nationality
London: Christmas came early this year for billionaire Jean-Paul gETTY ii who shortly before Yuletide was awarded British nationality after 25 years’ residence here, Home Office sources said Sunday. Getty, 65, is said to have immediately given up his American passport. As the son of Jean-Paul Getty, he inherited the world’s largest private fortune amassed from oil and currently has one billion pounds (1.7 billion dollars) to his name. But Getty Junior is also one of the most extravagant donors to British sporting and cultural organisations. Despite this, Getty’s last application for British nationality was turned down by the last Conservative government.
1 killed, 100 hurt
Tokyo: One passenger was killed and over 100 were injured when a uNITED Airlines jumbo jet with 393 people onboard hit a massive air turbulence over the Pacific late last night. The flight 826 en route from Tokyo to Honolulu hit the turbulence about two hours after taking off from the new Tokyo international airport in Narita, officials said.
Cambodia fighting
Thailand: Fresh fighting flared up today between Cambodia’s warring factions in two separate towns on the Thai border, forcing more than 500 refugees to cross into Thailand, Thai military offers said. The flood of civilians crossed near the Thai town of Aranyaprathet early today after a new wave of firefights erupted between troops loyal to strongman Hun Sen and those of his rival Prince Norodom Ranariddh, they said. The fighting broke out near the town of Poipet, just across the border from here.
