Separatist attack rocks Madrid
A group of Basque separatists detonated a car bomb outside of a Madrid convention center on Wednesday, injuring 42 people. The attack came just hours before the king and queen of Spain, along with Mexican president Vincente Fox, were to attend an art fair at the convention center. A warning call was phoned in to a local newspaper shortly before the attack, and police were evacuating the area when the bomb went off. The attack is believed to be the work of ETA (Euskadi ta Askatasuna), a designated terrorist group fighting for an independent Basque state.
Phillipine clashes leave 60 dead
Three days of fighting between the Philippine army and two rebel groups on the island of Jolo have left nearly 60 people dead. Violence broke out on Monday, when hundreds of rebels launched an ambush against army soldiers, as well as three other attacks across the island. The ambush ended a nearly nine-year-old peace agreement between the government and one of the rebel groups. The government of the Philippines has moved more military equipment to the island to help put an end to the fighting.
Troops authorized to aid Somalia
The African Union has authorized the deployment of troops to help the government of Somalia return in safety. Somalia's government was formed last year at a conference in Kenya, with the aim of ending the lawlessness in the country. Somalia has been under the rule of local militias which overthrew the nation's military dictator in 1991. The exact number of troops that will be deployed was not mentioned; however, Uganda has already pledged to send 2,000 troops.
Palestinian groups say cease-fire 'not binding'
Two Palestinian militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have declared that the cease-fire agreement signed between Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Tuesday is "not binding" on members of their groups. The agreement, designed to end four years of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, is seen as important step on the "roadmap for peace." Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been observing an unofficial truce since Mahmoud Abbas came to power.
Togo president ascends to power
Following a rushed amendment to allow him to take power until 2008, Faure Gnassingbe took over leadership of the African nation of Togo. This comes after the sudden death of Gnassingbe's father, the previous president, on Sunday. The move has drawn criticism from many groups, with the African Union discussing the possibility of sanctions until the nation restores "constitutional legitimacy." Gnassingbe has promised to hold elections "as soon as possible."
