Saturday, March 01, 2003
Claim more than 50 Zimbabwe Opposition members arrested
Police in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare have arrested more than 50 members of the main opposition party who were canvassing ahead of a by-election, the Opposition claims. [MORE]
Ivory Coast president to address 'death squad' allegations
Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo is poised to address claims that pro-government "death squads" are on the rampage in his war-torn nation as his new prime minister said the formation of a unity government is fraught with hurdles. [MORE]
Iraq begins destruction of banned missiles
Iraq says it has started destroying the first four of its banned Al-Samoud 2 missiles in line with a key United Nations (UN) disarmament demand, amid demands by Washington and its allies for Baghdad to disarm fully. [MORE]
Philippines to sign counter-terrorism pact with Aust
The Government of the Philippines is to sign a counter-terrorism pact with Australia.[MORE]
More than 10 die as Taiwan tourist train derails
A popular tourist train has derailed in Taiwan killing more than 10 people. [MORE]
Govt's priority in war room, not family room: Swan
The Federal Opposition is calling on the Government to implement a paid maternity leave scheme immediately.[MORE]
Britain's oldest couple celebrates 79 years of marriage
A British couple, who grew up in the same street and began courting when they were 14, have broken a national record by celebrating their 79th wedding anniversary, media reports said. [MORE]
UAE calls for Saddam to resign
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued an appeal at the Arab summit for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to resign and put Iraq under the tutelage of the Arab League and the United Nations, a source close to the UAE delegation said. [MORE]
Pope to send peace envoy to US
Pope John Paul will send a senior cardinal to Washington on a personal peace mission to try to avert a war in Iraq, the Vatican said. [MORE]
UN inspectors set out to destroy Iraq's illegal missiles
United Nations weapons inspectors have left their compound in Baghdad to destroy the first of Iraq's al-Samoud 2 missiles.[MORE]
Freeman win caps emotional week
Olympic champion Cathy Freeman ended an emotional week doing what she does best, where she feels most comfortable. Freeman made light of wet conditions at the A-Series track meet in Melbourne on Saturday to win the 400 metres in 52.17 seconds. A week that started with the news that her three-and-a-half-year marriage to American Nike executive Sandy Bodecker was over ended with yet another 400m victory, albeit against modest opposition.[MORE]
Bulls book Gabba final
Champions Queensland surged into their fifth consecutive home domestic four-day series final with a nine-wicket victory over Victoria with a day to spare at the Gabba on Saturday.[MORE]
Dizzy out for England clash
Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie will miss the world champions' final World Cup Group A game against England at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.[MORE]
Keane hints at early retirement: report
Manchester United's tough-tackling midfielder Roy Keane has given a big hint he may retire sooner than expected because of his serious injury problems, the Sun reported in the UK on Saturday.[MORE]
Sydney Gay Mardi Gras parade dishes up biting satire
Hundreds of thousands of spectators are taking in the biting satire and celebration of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.[MORE]
Roos through to Cup semis
The Kangaroos are through to the semi-finals of the pre-season cup after beating Melbourne by 13 points at Docklands on Saturday night.[MORE]
Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras kicks off
The dykes on bikes led the 25th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade of 140 floats.[MORE]
Those liable for oil spill could be fined up to $1 million: EPA
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) says fines of up to $1 million could be handed out to those responsible for an oil spill at Phillip Island in Victoria .[MORE]
Mehrtens in doubt for Auckland game
Canterbury Crusaders flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens could miss next week's Super 12 top-of-the-table clash with the Auckland Blues after injuring his knee against the Queensland Reds on Saturday.[MORE]
Thorpe planning to swim seven events at Worlds
Australian superstar Ian Thorpe said on Saturday he was planning to contest seven events at this year's swimming World Championships in Barcelona. Thorpe said he would add the 200 metres individual medley to his exhaustive schedule. Thorpe used the ACT Open Swimming Championships in Canberra for a final hit-out in the 200m medley on Saturday and confirmed he would contest the event at the Australian titles.[MORE]
WA cyclone warning downgraded
The weather bureau has cancelled its cyclone warning for inland communities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.[MORE]
N Korea says US spy flights prepare for war
North Korea has accused the United States on Saturday of stepping up spy flights as a preparation for war as South Korea's new president vowed to work for a swift, peaceful end to the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula. [MORE]
English pair set for Aus Open title
English veterans Laura Davies and Suzanne Strudwick will go head-to-head for the women's Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney on Sunday. At 10-under par 206, the 39-year-old Davies and 36-year-old Strudwick have a four-shot lead on a group of six players, including defending champion Karrie Webb, who suffered two bad swings which cost her five shots in her round of 74. Davies is chasing her 66th career title in her 19th season while Strudwick, who turned professional two years before Davies in 1983, is after her first win in 12 years and just the third of her career.[MORE]
South Asia stops for India v Pakistan
Cricket-crazy fans throughout India and Pakistan were glued to their television sets on Saturday as the two countries played in what has been billed as the "Clash of the Centurion".[MORE]
Champion Crusaders down Reds
The Canterbury Crusaders notched up a second consecutive win in the Super 12 competition, and with it another bonus point, after they thrashed the Queensland Reds 34-6 in Christchurch Saturday night. Their four-try bonanza followed the Crusaders' 37-21 opening round win over the Hurricanes, giving Robbie Deans' team their best start to a Super 12 campaign since 1999 and extended their record for most consecutive victories to 15. Crusaders captain Reuben Thorne was pleased to get another bonus point, but said conditions were "pretty difficult and it got worse as it went on, but we're happy to get five points."[MORE]
