News In Brief

Cambodia opposition sues poll body
Afp, Phnom Penh

Cambodia's opposition yesterday said that it had filed a lawsuit against the kingdom's poll authorities over strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen's disputed election win.
According to final results released by the NEC on Sunday, Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats in the July polls against 55 for the opposition.

American Islamist killed in Somalia
Afp, Mogadishu

A US Islamist fighting in Somalia was killed yesterday in a shootout with al-Qaeda linked Shebab militants, former comrades he had fallen out with, witnesses said.
Alabama-born Omar Hammami -- better known as Al-Amriki or "the American" -- was one of the most prominent foreigners fighting in Somalia, and the US State Department had offered a $5 million (3.8 million euro) bounty for his capture.
Hammami, 29, moved to Somalia in 2006 and began to work for Shebab recruiting young trainees through his English-language rap songs and videos.

UK launches Royal Mail privatization
Afp, London

Britain's government yesterday officially launched plans to privatise more than half of Royal Mail, saying an initial sale of shares in the state-run postal service would occur within weeks.
The government had in July announced plans to privatise more than 50 percent of Royal Mail following a major restructuring of the organisation in recent years, triggered by fierce competition from email. Media reports say the part-sale of Royal Mail could be worth up to £3.0 billion ($4.74 billion, 3.57 billion euros). An initial offer price per share was expected shortly, traders said.