Today's other stories in brief
Barak leads in Israeli Labor contest
JERUSALEM - Former prime minister Ehud Barak was leading a close race for the leadership of Israel's Labor Party yesterday ahead of challenger Ami Ayalon, television exit polls showed.
Labor is the senior partner in the coalition of prime minister Ehud Olmert and its leader will hold a key post in the cabinet. - (Reuters)
Heavy fighting rages in Lebanon
NAHR AL-BARED - Heavy fighting raged yesterday between Lebanese troops and al-Qaeda-inspired militants at a Palestinian refugee camp, the battleground for Lebanon's bloodiest internal violence since the civil war.
Heavy shelling continued especially at the northern entrance of the Nahr al-Bared camp, while fires raged and smoke billowed from the camp's cinderblock buildings. - (Reuters)
Mbeki pleased by Zimbabwe stance
CAPE TOWN - South African president Thabo Mbeki described himself as "encouraged" by the attitude of Zimbabwe's government and opposition since being asked to mediate in their dispute, writes Joe Humphreys.
"We are encouraged in this regard by the positive attitude evinced by the protagonists in that country," he said.
US accuses Arab allies over sex trade
WASHINGTON - The US yesterday accused its Arab allies, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, of being among the world's worst offenders in failing to prevent people from being sold into the sex trade and servitude.
The US state department added the four to its list of 16 countries subject to possible sanctions, including the loss of US aid and support for World Bank and International Monetary Fund loans. - ( Reuters)
Afghan policemen killed by US forces
JALALABAD - US-led forces killed seven Afghan policemen, an official said yesterday, and three people were shot dead at a Nato checkpoint, raising further concern about mistaken fire incidents in Afghanistan. - ( Reuters)