News In Brief

Bombings across Iraq kill 13
Ap, Baghdad

A series of bombings across Iraq targeting shoppers, security forces and a militia group killed at least 13 people yesterday, officials said.
The deadliest attack took place in the town of Suwayrah, 40 kilometers south of Baghdad, where a car bomb ripped through a commercial area, killing five civilians and wounding 14, a police officer said.
A suicide bomber attacked a police checkpoint in the town of Samarra, 95 kilometers north of the capital, killing three officers, authorities said. The blast wounded four officers and five civilians.

Fifty police hurt in Tunisia violence
Afp, Siliana

Fifty Tunisian policemen were injured in clashes with protesters in the marginalised town of Siliana where a general strike degenerated into violence, the interior ministry said yesterday.
The violence broke out on Wednesday as the town observed a strike to mark the first anniversary of riots that left more than 300 people injured, and as strikes were held in two other regions amid rising social discontent and political deadlock.

Tuaregs stop Mali PM visiting town
Afp, Bamako

Tuareg demonstrators yesterday occupied an airport runway to prevent Mali's Prime Minister Oumar Tatam Ly visiting the rebel-controlled northeastern town of Kidal, officials said.
Protesters said Malian soldiers shot and wounded three of the demonstrators, but the Malian army denied that.
An African military source said troops with the UN military support mission in Mali, MINUSMA, had tried but failed to stop the demonstrators occupying and blocking the runway.

Dubai wins Expo 2020
Afp, Dubai

Dubai beat off opposition from Brazil, Russia and Turkey on Wednesday to win the right to host the 2020 World Expo, sparking celebrations in the Gulf city and a stunning fireworks display at the world's tallest building.
City authorities declared yesterday a school holiday to celebrate the victory.
The Burj Khalifa tower, which stands 828-metres high, was lit up with the pyrotechnics, while fireworks were also set off elsewhere in the coastal city.
There were jubilant crowds at the foot of the tower and in Dubai's shopping malls.
"I am so proud to be living in the city of the future," beamed Indian student Depika, who said he was born in Dubai and had seen the city "develop very quickly".