'Relations between Zimbabwe and the West hit a new low yesterday after a convoy of British and American diplomats on their way to meet opposition activists was attacked by President Mugabe’s militiamen and police.

Five American and four British diplomats were detained for several hours after the confrontation at a police roadblock, during which officers slashed their tyres, seized their mobile phones and beat up a driver employed by the US Embassy.'  www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4075775.ece

fears of rising intolerance towards migrants in italy grew after a masked armed group went on the rampage in rome, smashing shop windows and hurling verbal abuse - the group attacked a food shop owned by an indian migrant and two stores operated by bangladeshis - the assault comes as Silvio Berlusconi's administration launches a crackdown on illegal immigration and just days after a mob firebombed gypsy camps in naples - last month crowds at rome's town hall welcomed newly-elected mayor Gianni Alemanno with fascist salutes. [news source - guardian]