In Short

A round-up of other world news in brief

Zimbabwe's political crisis deepens 

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s political crisis deepened yesterday after the first meeting between president Robert Mugabe and prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai since the latter’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) boycotted the unity government, an MDC spokesman said.

Spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the MDC and Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF were “worlds apart” after the two old foes met to try to end a stalemate that raises further questions over their ability to rebuild a ruined economy. – (Reuters)

NEW YORK – One of Fidel Castro’s sisters has claimed in a memoir that she spent years collaborating with the CIA.

Juanita Castro (76) wrote in My Brothers Fidel and Raul: The Secret Story that she initially backed the overthrow of the Batista dictatorship in 1959 but she quickly became disillusioned with the new regime.

She agreed to help the US agency gather information on her brother, but says she refused to accept money and stated that she would have no part in any violence. – (PA)

China seeks more army ties with US    

WASHINGTON – China’s military sought to assure the US yesterday that its arms buildup was not a threat and said Beijing wanted to expand co-operation with the Pentagon to reduce the risk of future conflicts.

At the start of a visit to Washington, Xu Caihou, vice- chairman of the People’s Liberation Army central military commission, said military ties with the US were generally moving in a “positive direction”. – (Reuters)

Tunisian leader wins fifth term 

TUNIS - Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has won a fifth term with 89.62 per cent of the vote in a presidential election, officials announced yesterday.

One opposition leader said the result showed there was no political freedom in Tunisia, echoing accusations by human rights groups that opposition activists were attacked and journalists harassed in teh build-up to Sunday's vote.