A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
ANC wins poll but loses Cape Town
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's ANC powered to victory yesterday in local government polls but its triumph was dimmed by the loss of Cape Town, which has come to symbolise the country's raw racial tensions.
The African National Congress went into Wednesday's election virtually guaranteed its third major victory since the end of apartheid in 1994, with voter loyalty still strong.
But in Cape Town, the one city in the country without a black majority and the official seat of the national parliament, the ANC looked certain to lose control of city government in a tight race that saw the largely white opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) outpolling the former liberation movement. - (Reuters)
US Patriot Act renewal approved
WASHINGTON - The US Senate yesterday gave final congressional approval to renewing the Patriot Act, a centrepiece of President George Bush's war on terrorism.
A day after passing a related bill to better protect civil liberties, the Senate approved the renewal measure on a 89-10 vote. It next goes to Mr Bush to sign into law.
First enacted after the September 11th attacks, the Act expanded the power of the US government to obtain private records, conduct wiretaps and searches. and share information. - (Reuters)
Al-Qaeda attack suspect captured
BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities have captured a Saudi man who confessed to taking part in last week's suspected al-Qaeda attack on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil facility, Iraqi state television said yesterday. - (Reuters)
Three held over £53m robbery
LONDON - Three people appeared in court yesterday on charges linked to Britain's biggest ever robbery.
The two men and a woman - the first people to be charged eight days after the £53 million raid - were remanded in custody until March 13th. Car salesmen John Fowler (60) and Stuart Royle (47) were accused of conspiracy to rob the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent. Mr Fowler was also charged with kidnapping the depot manager, his wife and son, and handling stolen goods.
Mr Royle's girlfriend, Kim Shackleton (39), faced a charge of handling stolen goods. - (Guardian service)
'Oliver!' actor Jack Wild dies at 53
LONDON - The stars of the musical Oliver! last night paid tribute to Artful Dodger actor Jack Wild, who has died from cancer. He was 53.
Wild was just 16 when he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the classic 1968 movie musical. But, in his own words, he spent the "70s and 80s in a drunken haze". He was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000 and was left unable to speak following surgery to remove his tongue and voicebox. - (PA)
Hamas begins visit to Russia
GAZA - Hamas seeks international legitimacy today with an official visit to Russia, marking its first talks with a major power involved in Israeli- Palestinian peacemaking.
Although it deals a blow to US-led efforts to isolate Hamas since it swept the Palestinian elections in January, Russia's mediation is seen by some in the West as a chance to talk the faction into renouncing violence and recognising Israel. - (Reuters)
Officers face dressing down
BERLIN - Three German police officers face disciplinary action after lifting their kilts at a fancy dress party while wearing nothing underneath, police said yesterday.