16 Killed in shootout in Somalia

MOGADISHU - Fighting between Somali government troops and police killed 16 people in Somalia’s capital yesterday, witnesses said, underscoring the weak UN-backed government’s inability to control its armed forces.

Nelson Mandela’s condition improving
JOHANNESBURG - Former president Nelson Mandela’s recovery from a respiratory infection continued yesterday, with doctors saying he had a restful and peaceful night, the presidency said.

South Sudan awaiting world nod on vote  
ADDIS ABABA -  The leader of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, said yesterday he looked forward to the international community confirming his region’s referendum in which voters overwhelmingly chose to secede from the north.

Third Algerian dies from self-immolation
ALGIERS -  A third Algerian has died from self-immolation, the daily al Watan reported, while another tried to set himself alight Sunday, adding to a grim tally of Tunisia-inspired acts.

Algerians smuggle kids for better social care
ALGIERS - Algerian parents are risking the lives of their children by sending them to Europe aboard unsafe craft to take advantage of better social care facilities, a senior official said yesterday.

Jump in SA malaria cases after holidays
JOHANNESABURG -There has been a “considerable” rise in South Africans showing malaria symptoms in recent weeks, the Netcare hospital group said on Monday.

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