BETHLEHEM: At least 44 people were killed yesterday when a bus carrying trade union members to a South African May Day rally crashed into a reservoir. Officials feared dozens more may have died.
In what is one of the country's worst road crashes, rescuers dragged the bus from the water while divers searched for more bodies. Ten survivors of the accident, which happened 150 miles south of Johannesburg, were rushed to hospital.
"There were between 80 and 90 people on the bus," a police spokeswoman said.
Supt Sam Sesing said the driver got lost in Bethlehem early on Thursday morning and took a road out of town which led straight into the dam. - (Reuters)
New move to end oil rigs blockade
LAGOS: A Nigerian union leader said there would be a "fresh initiative" today to bring an end to the blockade of four oil rigs which has trapped around 80 foreign workers for 12 days.
Mr Joseph Akinlaja, secretary general of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers said: "Our wish is to end the impasse in a peaceful manner." On April 19th, union members blockaded helipads and landing platforms in protest at the dismissal of five colleagues for alleged theft. - (AFP)
Afghanistan now secure - Rumsfeld
KABUL: US Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday the bulk of Afghanistan was now secure and US-led forces had moved from combat to stabilisation and reconstruction.
But US-backed Afghan President Mr Hamid Karzai admitted his government had not been able to set up a strong administration countrywide and much had to be done. - (Reuters)
Iraq 'worst place for journalists'
NEW YORK: Iraq, Cuba and Vietnam top a list published yesterday of the worst places in the world to be a journalist, based on existing threats to press freedoms.
Iraq earned the No 1 spot on the roll of dishonour, compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, because of the number killed during the US-led invasion.
Nine journalists were killed in action, four others died in accidents or from illness, while several more were wounded and two remain missing. - (AFP)
Souvenir grenade kills one at airport
AMMAN: A grenade, carried from Iraq as a war souvenir by a Japanese journalist, exploded at Amman airport in Jordan yesterday killing a security officer and injuring several others. The journalist was slightly hurt in the blast. - (Reuters)
Killings for body parts investigated
MEXICO CITY: Mexican authorities are investigating whether some of the unsolved murders of hundreds of women in northern Mexico in the past decade were committed by organ traffickers seeking body parts.
According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney General's office on Wednesday, authorities are investigating, in particular, the deaths of 14 women in Cuidad Juarez who appear to have been killed for their organs. - (Reuters)