SA racist killer gets life term

A psychologist rejected claims that Nel was mentally unfit to stand trial. A judge has sentenced a 19-year-old white South African to four life terms in jail for killing four black people in a shooting spree in January. Those shot dead by Johan Nel included a three-month-old baby and a boy of 10. Witnesses told the court he shouted racist abuse while shooting. The killings led to angry protests by thousands of people. Correspondents say Nel showed no emotion as he was sentenced. The judge said racism could not be tolerated. Police spokesman Lesego Metsi said Judge Ronald Hendricks and the prosecuting lawyer were under police protection after receiving 50 death threats on their mobile phones, the South Africa Press Association reports. This sends a strong message that perpetrators of heinous and racist murders will be brought to book and rot in jai Superintendent Metsi told South Africa's Times newspaper that all the callers were white who said Judge Hendricks would be killed if he handed down a life sentence. Earlier psychologist Kobus Truter had rejected claims that Nel was mentally unfit to stand trial and had said he should be sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in prison. Mr Truter said Nel, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, believed white people were under attack after his family and friends became the victims of several violent crimes. The Young Communist League welcomed the sentence for the shooting spree in the Skierlik settlement in a farming area of North West province. "This sends a strong message that perpetrators of heinous and racist murders will be brought to book and rot in jail," the league said in a statement. Nel was also sentenced to 68 years on 11 counts of attempted murder, five years for holding a firearm and three years for possession of ammunition.

China fears grow over job losses

Many migrant workers are already finding it hard to get work. China has said its employment outlook is "grim", amid worries that economic problems could lead to social unrest. Unemployment is expected to rise next year as businesses close because of a lack of orders. Chinese leaders are already warning that an economic downturn could lead to further protests by those facing financial hardships. It could also undermine the Chinese leadership, whose legitimacy has been built on improving living standards. If people see that economic growth can no longer be maintained, then the very basis of the government has been eroded Over the last few weeks, there have been an increasing number of signs that China is feeling the effects of a global economic slowdown. Yin Weimin, minister of human resources and social security, said that had resulted in a "grim" employment situation in China. "This is particularly the case for labour-intensive small- and medium-sized companies," Mr Yin told a news conference. He said some firms had closed down altogether and others had reduced production, leading to workers being laid off.

India 'sinks Somali pirate ship'

The Indian navy is now patrolling off the Somali coast. An Indian navy warship has destroyed a suspected Somali pirate vessel after it came under attack in the Gulf of Aden. The INS Tabar sunk the pirate "mother ship" after it failed to stop for investigation and opened fire instead, an Indian navy statement said. There has been a surge in piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia. The latest attack came days after the Saudi-owned Sirius Star supertanker and its 25 crew were seized by pirates and anchored point off the Somali coast. Vela International, operators of the Sirius Star, told the BBC no demands had yet been received from the pirates. The company also said all the crew were safe. Indian Navy spokesman, Commander Nirad Sinha, describes the attack The biggest tanker ever hijacked, Sirius Star is carrying a cargo of two million barrels of oil - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m (£67m). Analysts say the pattern of other hijackings suggests a ransom request is likely to follow. Given the value of the tanker and its cargo, that is expected to be a sizeable demand. Two of the captive crew are British. The UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said the Royal Navy was co-ordinating the European response to the incident. "The problem of piracy around Somalia is a grave danger to the stability in the region," he told the BBC. Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991 and has suffered continuing civil strife.

Seized tanker anchors off Somalia

Pirates have anchored a hijacked Saudi oil tanker off the Somali coast, as the spate of hijackings gathered pace with two more ships seized on Tuesday. Vela International said all 25 crew on the Sirius Star - the biggest tanker ever hijacked - were said to be safe. The vessel is carrying a cargo of 2m barrels - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - worth more than $100m. A cargo ship and a fishing vessel were the latest to join more than 90 vessels attacked by the pirates this year. A Hong Kong cargo vessel was attacked early on Tuesday morning in the Gulf of Aden, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said. Chinese media said the ship, with a crew of 25, was carrying wheat intended for Iran. The other vessel, a fishing boat registered in Kiribati, was carrying a crew of 12, the IMB said. Its owners lost contact with it on Tuesday morning. The owner of the Sirius Star, seized on Saturday 450 nautical miles (830km) off the Kenyan coast, said they were not aware of any ransom demand. SOMALIA PIRACY 92 attacks this year - most in the Gulf of Aden 36 successful hijackings 14 ships currently held, including the MV Faina carrying tanks 268 crew held hostage Source: International Maritime Bureau, 2008 Q&A: Somalia piracy Rules frustrate anti-piracy efforts Technology sets sights on piracy Vela International said in a statement that it was "awaiting further contact from the pirates in control of the vessel". The South Korean-built vessel, which is about the length of a US aircraft carrier, was heading for the US via the southern tip of Africa when it was hijacked. The US Navy described the seizure as an "unprecedented" attack. It confirmed that the tanker had anchored off the Somali coast near the town of Harardhere. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal condemned the hijacking as "an outrageous act", but gave no indication of what action, if any, Saudi Arabia intended to take. Somalis on shore spoke of their surprise at seeing the huge vessel pass just off the coast. "I headed for the sea to fish, but I saw a very, very large ship anchored less than three miles (5km) off the shore," said Abdinur Haji, a fisherman in Harardhere. "I have been fishing here for three decades, but I have never seen a ship as big as this one," he said.

Unusual rush of voters in Kashmir

Many voters began queuing early. In Indian-administered Kashmir, there has been unusually strong turnout in the first phase of elections for a new state government. Queues of hundreds of voters formed from early morning in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley, defying a boycott called by separatist groups. Voters have also come out in strength in the Hindu-majority Jammu region. Meanwhile, troops fired teargas shells and used batons to break up anti-poll protests in the Bandipora area. The election is being seen as a stern test for Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region. In recent months there have been huge pro-independence demonstrations in Kashmir which were met with force by the security forces, leaving many dead. And dozens of separatist leaders have been detained to prevent them leading protests against the poll. Voting is being held in seven phrases, lasting until 24 December. Counting of votes will take place on 28 December.