In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Non-aligned to back Iran on nuclear power

VIENNA - Non-aligned states will back Iran's right to nuclear fuel production at a UN meeting this week, unmoved by US calls to join efforts to get Tehran to stop enriching uranium, diplomats have said.

UN Security Council powers offered Iran a package of incentives last week and Washington has nudged Non-Aligned Movement states to endorse it at a session of the International Atomic Energy Agency governing board. - (Reuters)

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Libyan HIV retrial postponed again

TRIPOLI - The retrial of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor accused of infecting hundreds of Libyan children with HIV has been postponed for a second time to give lawyers more time to prepare evidence.

Washington has long backed Bulgaria and the European Union in saying the nurses and doctor, in jail in Libya since 1999, are innocent. - (Reuters)

Venezuela, Peru rift continues

LIMA - Peruvian president- elect Alan Garcia has spurned demands for an apology from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez for remarks that have sparked a diplomatic rift between the two countries.

Mr Chavez on Sunday said Mr Garcia had to apologise before he would restore diplomatic ties with Peru. The two South American countries withdrew ambassadors in May amid Peruvian allegations that Mr Chavez was interfering in the June presidential race. - (Reuters)

Kennedy admits drug driving

WASHINGTON - Congressman Patrick Kennedy, a member of one of America's most famous political dynasties, has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of prescription drugs when he crashed his car near the US Capitol last month.

Kennedy (38), a Rhode Island Democrat, is the son of Massachusetts Democrat senator Edward Kennedy and a nephew of former president John F. Kennedy and former attorney general Robert. - (Reuters)

'Da Vinci Code' banned in Egypt

CAIRO - Egyptian authorities will confiscate copies of the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code and ban the film based on the book from showing in Egypt, the culture minister has told parliament. - (Reuters)

France prepares for heat wave

PARIS - France has declared a drought in 15 departments as temperatures climbed above seasonal norms and officials have taken early steps to protect the elderly who were vulnerable during a 2003 heat wave that killed thousands.

Temperatures in Paris and other regions topped an above-average 30 degrees Celsius (86F) for the fourth day, France's national weather agency said. - (Reuters)

US recognises Montenegro poll

WASHINGTON - The US has recognised the independence of Montenegro, helping cement the international community's acceptance of a referendum last month in favour of its breakaway from a union with Serbia. - (Reuters)

Forced child brides halted

KARACHI - Authorities in Pakistan have stopped five girls being forcibly given away in marriage as compensation for a double murder nine years ago, according to a government spokesman.

Although the Pakistani government says it promotes the rights of women, it is still common in rural areas, where feudal and tribal ways hold sway, for girls to be given as compensation to settle disputes. - (Reuters)