Sinn Fein members overwhelmingly voted Sunday to begin cooperating with the Northern Ireland police, a long-unthinkable commitment that could spur the return of a Catholic-Protestant administration for the British territory. Crucially, however, the party motion approved Sunday commits Sinn Fein to begin supporting the police only after power-sharing is revived, and only if the Democratic Unionists agree to transfer control of Northern Ireland’s justice system, including the police, from Britain to local hands by May 2008.
Israel: First Muslim in Cabinet
The Israeli government overwhelmingly approved the appointment of the country’s first Muslim Cabinet minister Sunday. Raleb Majadele, a parliamentary backbencher from the Labor party, says his appointment is meant to give representation to Israel’s Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the country’s 7 million citizens.
Somalia: Gunmen, police battle
Gunmen attacked police in northern Mogadishu on Sunday, leading to an hourlong battle that left two dead and further demonstrated the U.S.-backed government’s feeble grip on power. A Somali government spokesman Sunday warned that Islamic fighters from the deposed Council of Islamic Courts were regrouping and coming back to the capital as Ethiopia prepares to withdraw.
Pakistan: Power line hits riders
Dozens of people sitting on the roof of a crowded passenger train were by hit by an overhead power line in southern Pakistan on Sunday. As many as 11 people were killed, either electrocuted or tossed from the moving train, and scores were injured.
From Herald news services
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