After an overnight exchange of mortar shells between Somali government forces and rebels that killed at least nine civilians and injured 14 others, a military officer the from government side defected to the Islamist group al Shabaab with more than 60 guns. Residents said government shells targeted houses occupied by al Shabaab members in the north of Mogadishu.
The World Cup football tournament kicks off in one week, and host South Africa is busy putting on the finishing touches. But not everyone is looking forward to the tournament. Authorites in cities including Cape Town are being accused of clearing the poor from the streets - to create a good impression for visiting fans. Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa has more.