In Brief

Somali government lifts broadcast ban MOGADISHU – Somalia’s transitional government lifted a broadcast ban on Tuesday, said the government spokesman, a day after it had ordered three Somali radio stations and an international television channel to stop operations.

In Baidoa, meanwhile, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi ruled out peace talks with the Islamic movement that his forces – with key help from Ethiopian troops – had just ousted from the capital. He also said he hoped to see African peacekeepers in Somalia by month’s end, but so far only one country has committed to contributing troops and few others have shown enthusiasm for a proposed 8 000-strong African mission to bolster the government’s attempt to create law and order.* Nigerian accused of dealing with al Qaeda ABUJA – Nigerian prosecutors have accused a media company director of taking $300 000 from al Qaeda in 2002 to arrange combat training in Mauritania for 17 members of a group called the Nigerian Taliban.Muhammed Damagun pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to three charges of terrorism.The case relates to a short-lived spate of attacks in 2003 and 2004 by the self-styled Nigerian Taliban, a group of reclusive Islamists in the far north of Nigeria.* Republicans face uncomfortable vote WASHINGTON – Bruised by the elections and divided on the Iraq war, Republicans will find themselves in a tough spot when Democrats force them to go on record for or against President George W Bush’s troop strategy.Democratic House and Senate leaders intend to hold votes to gauge Republican opposition to Bush’s decision to send 21 500 more troops to Iraq.The Senate leadership is expected by today to propose a resolution denouncing the plan, with debate planned around the same time Bush delivers his State of the Union speech Tuesday.Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Democrat, said the House will follow suit with its own resolution.Nampa-AP-ReutersHe also said he hoped to see African peacekeepers in Somalia by month’s end, but so far only one country has committed to contributing troops and few others have shown enthusiasm for a proposed 8 000-strong African mission to bolster the government’s attempt to create law and order.* Nigerian accused of dealing with al Qaeda ABUJA – Nigerian prosecutors have accused a media company director of taking $300 000 from al Qaeda in 2002 to arrange combat training in Mauritania for 17 members of a group called the Nigerian Taliban.Muhammed Damagun pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to three charges of terrorism.The case relates to a short-lived spate of attacks in 2003 and 2004 by the self-styled Nigerian Taliban, a group of reclusive Islamists in the far north of Nigeria. * Republicans face uncomfortable vote WASHINGTON – Bruised by the elections and divided on the Iraq war, Republicans will find themselves in a tough spot when Democrats force them to go on record for or against President George W Bush’s troop strategy.Democratic House and Senate leaders intend to hold votes to gauge Republican opposition to Bush’s decision to send 21 500 more troops to Iraq.The Senate leadership is expected by today to propose a resolution denouncing the plan, with debate planned around the same time Bush delivers his State of the Union speech Tuesday.Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Democrat, said the House will follow suit with its own resolution.Nampa-AP-Reuters