Other world stories in brief
Shooting alert at Sarkozy farewell
JERUSALEM- Body- guards rushed Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert and visiting French president Nicolas Sarkozy to safety yesterday after an Israeli police officer shot himself in the head during a departure ceremony at Tel Aviv airport.
Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni were at the foot of the steps of their aircraft when security guards heard a gunshot.
The two leaders appeared not to have heard anything but Ms Bruni ran up the steps. Mr Sarkozy was directed into the aircraft, and Mr Olmert was rushed to his car. Israel's president Shimon Peres, who was also at the ceremony marking the end of Mr Sarkozy's three-day visit, was led away.
Within moments the incident was over, and Mr Olmert boarded the aircraft. Some reports suggested that the officer fell from a building and his gun fired accidentally. Others suggest he shot himself in the head. The officer was reported to be at least 100 metres from the aircraft. - (Guardian service)
Calls for calm as Gaza truce broken
BERLIN- World powers called for calm in the Middle East yesterday after violence in the region shook a Gaza truce and overshadowed a donors' meeting for Palestinian police and legal institutions in Berlin.
Militants in the Hamas- controlled Gaza Strip fired at least two rockets into southern Israel after Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in the West Bank city of Nablus. The Quartet urged that the calm be respected in full and expressed the hope it would endure, negotiators said. - ( Reuters)
Daughter delays Fritzl trial
BERLIN- Elisabeth Fritzl, the Austrian woman who was locked in a cellar for 24 years, has refused to testify against her father who imprisoned her, saying she is not yet ready to face him.
Doctors caring for Ms Fritzl (42), told the Austrian media she needs more time to prepare for the encounter, which will require her to give evidence against Josef Fritzl (73) via a video link. While they would not be in the same room, she would be able to see her father and could face questioning by him.
The hearing was due to start in a week, on Elisabeth's insistence, so her father's trial could begin as soon as possible. It has now been put on hold indefinitely. - (Guardian service)
Bush pledges aid for Philippines
WASHINGTON- US president George Bush pledged help to Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo in the aftermath of a typhoon, saying he was sending an aircraft carrier to aid in the relief effort.
Mr Bush, after White House talks with Ms Arroyo, expressed condolences for victims of last weekend's typhoon. - (Reuters)