At least 49 dead from alcohol poisoning in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – An illegal brew laced with industrial alcohol caused the deaths of 49 people in Kenya, medical workers said yesterday, while police continued to search for a woman suspected of distributing the drink to local bars.

More than 174 people were hospitalised Saturday and Sunday, after drinking the home-made brew containing methanol – a toxic wood alcohol added to the concoction to give it more kick.

More poisoned patients were still arriving at Machakos General Hospital, medical superintendent Simon Mueke said by telephone.

“Two people have gone completely blind, and another eight have reduced vision of varying degree,” he said.

Girl, 14, killed in Florida shark attack

DESTIN, Florida (AP) – Tim Dicus was surfing when he heard the scream. He turned and saw a girl swimming as fast as she could – and another one face down in a bloody circle of water.

Dicus, 54, paddled over to the wounded 14 year-old girl, who had been swimming on a boogie board about 100 metres offshore.

“Right next to her was the shark, about to come up and attack her again,” Dicus said. He put the girl on his surf board and the shark – which appeared to be a bull shark about 2.5 metres (8 feet) long – went after her hand.

“He just followed us right to the beach,” Dicus said. “He was determined to finish lunch. I hate to put it that way, but that was what he was trying to do.”

The girl was bitten on the thigh, and was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, said Walton County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Donna Shank.

Pentagon seeking dialogue with Iraqi insurgents

MOSUL, Iraq (AFP) – At least 25 people were killed in bombings targeting Iraqi security forces yesterday as US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld confirmed that Pentagon officials had been in contact with insurgents in a bid to stem the violence.

A US soldier was also killed and two wounded in a roadside bombing in the capital, while the military confirmed two more deaths from a suicide attack on a convoy last week.