Wikinews Shorts: September 29, 2010

A compilation of brief news reports for Wednesday, September 29, 2010.


Landslide buries 30 people in Colombia

 

Around 30 people have been buried in a landslide in the municipality of Giraldo, Antioquia Department, Colombia. Many of the people buried were bus passengers who were walking across a road that had previously been blocked off by another landslide. The locations of those trapped have been determined by sniffer dogs, but it could still take several days before rescuers can reach them. Heavy rain is believed to be a factor in the landslide.

While visiting the scene, President Juan Manuel Santos said that "[w]e are doing everything we can to find them."

Sources



Maatia Toafa named as new prime minister of Tuvalu

 

Maatia Toafa has been declared the new Prime Minister of Tuvalu. The Prime Minister of Tuvalu is chosen by the Tuvalun Parliament, via secret ballot. Toafa won this ballot eight votes to seven, defeating runner up Kausea Natano. He replaces former Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia who has held the post since 2006. This is Toafa's second term as prime minister; he previously held the post between 2004 and 2006.

Sources



Former Pakistan defence minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal dies aged 67

 

Former Pakistani politician Rao Sikandar Iqbal has died at the age of 67 from kidney failure. At various points in his political career, Sikandar held the position of Defence minister of Pakistan; Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Cooperatives; and the Federal Minister of Sports, Culture and Tourism. He was also a founding member of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Tributes have been paid to him by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Sources