A round-up of other world news in brief
US healthcare Bill vote delay for day or two
WASHINGTON – Democratic leaders in the US House of Representatives scrambled yesterday to allay lingering concerns about a broad healthcare overhaul and said a landmark vote planned for today could slip a day or more.
House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer indicated Democrats were short of the 218 votes needed to pass the reform Bill but said “we’re very close”. House members were warned that the final vote could be Sunday or even later in the week.
Democrats spent the day cajoling dozens of party moderates concerned about abortion and immigration provisions in the Bill, as well as its $1 trillion price tag and its possible effect on budget deficits. – (Reuters)
Troops hurt during Afghan mission
HERAT – More than 25 Nato and Afghan troops were wounded during a search for two missing US paratroopers in western Afghanistan.
The Taliban said the two missing soldiers were dead and that it had recovered their bodies.
A statement yesterday by the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said more than 25 troops were wounded during a search and rescue mission.
Lieut Darin Russell, a spokesman for Nato forces, said the troops were wounded “by insurgent activity”. He declined to give further details of the incident, which he said was under investigation. – (Reuters)
Miss England gives up title after brawl
LONDON – Beauty pageant winner Miss England gave up her title yesterday after reports that she had been involved in a nightclub brawl with another beauty queen.
Rachel Christie, niece of former British Olympic gold-medal sprinter Linford Christie, was arrested earlier this week after allegedly getting into a fight with Miss Manchester, Sara Jones, at a club in the northern English city, newspapers reported.
Ms Christie, who had become the first black winner of the title in July, was accused of punching Ms Jones in a row over her boyfriend, who appears on the TV show Gladiators. – (Reuters)
Paraguay's army chief sacked
ASUNCIÓN – Paraguay’s leftist president sacked the commander of the armed forces yesterday, days after dismissing three other military chiefs in a shake-up seen to be aimed at shoring up his political support among senior ranks.
President Fernando Lugo, a former Catholic bishop, is facing intense pressure from rightist rivals who control congress.
Mr Lugo warned this week that a “handful of military officers” might be siding with his foes, although he denied any coup threat.
Opponents have criticised the military shake-up, Mr Lugo’s third since taking office a year and a half ago. – (Reuters)