Cyclone hits Samoa

PAGO PAGO: A Pacific storm with hurricane-force winds churned across sparsely populated islands of American Samoa on Saturday, taking aim at the US territory’s capital region, which is still recovering from a deadly tsunami. Tropical Cyclone Rene hit the territory’s eastern Manu’a islands on Friday, before growing in strength with winds reaching 138 kph and gusts to 165 kph by late evening. Several Manu’a residents reached by phone said the winds have been extremely strong but they have not heard of any reports of injury. Telephone links, however, have been intermittent.

Albanian crisis

TIRANA: Albania’s president has started round-table talks with the government and the main opposition party to end a seven-month political crisis over alleged electoral fraud. Prime Minister Sali Berisha of the governing Democratic Party and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama, also Tirana mayor, met on Saturday at President Bamir Topi’s office. The Socialists have boycotted Parliament for months and staged large protests. They claim the Democrats manipulated vote-counting in the June 28 national elections and are demanding a recount.

Bombing anniv

DRESDEN: Thousands of neo-Nazis and their opponents were expected in the eastern German city of Dresden on Saturday on the 65th anniversary of the deadly Allied bombing at the end of World War II. Police put officers in place to prevent clashes between the two groups. Up to 7,000 far-right supporters from Germany and other European countries are expected, police spokesman Thomas Geithner said. Organisers characterise the event as a “mourning march.” “The most important task for us is to keep both blocks separated and not to allow them any contact,” Geithner said.