A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Nearly 70 dead in separatist Assam attacks
GUWAHATI -Separatist rebels gunned down 10 people in two separate attacks in India's restive northeastern state of Assam yesterday, police said.
The killings raised the death toll in a wave of rebel violence since Friday night to 67. Police blamed the attack on the United Liberation Front of Asom. - (Reuters)
Ethiopian troops attacked
MOGADISHU -Gunmen attacked Ethiopian troops in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu yesterday, residents said, as Somali and US officials vowed to work together to stabilise the chaotic state.
On the second day of violence directed at Ethiopian troops, Somali gunmen opened fire on forces backing the interim government. - (Reuters)
Three killed by 'copter crash
MARSEILLE -Three people died when a helicopter ferrying their lunch companions crashed on them yesterday in the garden of a French restaurant moments after they had all dined together.
The pilot, the helicopter's owner and two friends aboard the aircraft were unharmed. A woman's leg was severed and three other diners, including a two- year-old child, were treated in hospital.
The helicopter crashed during take-off after the group trooped up the garden of the Chez Bob restaurant near the village of Salin-de- Giraud in southern Camargue to bid farewell to their friends . - (Reuters)
Airlines divert from Bristol
LONDON -Bristol airport in southwest England closed its runway yesterday to speed up resurfacing work after 10 airlines suspended operations because of safety concerns.
Since Friday, 369 flights have been cancelled or diverted after the airlines raised concerns over braking in wet conditions. - (Reuters)
George Bush snr has hip replaced
CHICAGO -Former US president George HW Bush (82) has been discharged from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, following surgery to replace his right hip.
The brief statement issued on Saturday said the former president had returned home earlier in the day following successful surgery. - (Reuters)
Russell quits 'Big Brother' show
LONDON -Veteran film director Ken Russell has quit reality TV programme Celebrity Big Brother, according to Channel 4.
Russell is the second celebrity to quit the show after the lead singer of punk rock band Towers of London Donny Tourette left the programme after just 48 hours. - (Reuters)
AFP photographer freed in Gaza
GAZA -Palestinian militants in Gaza have freed a photographer from French news agency Agence France- Presse after keeping him captive for almost a week.
Unidentified gunmen had kidnapped Jaime Razuri (50), a native of Peru, outside the agency's office in Gaza City last Monday. - (Reuters)
Farm worker attacked by pigs
LONDON -A British farm worker needed hospital treatment after being attacked by a herd of pigs, Norfolk police said yesterday. The man (51) was knocked over by a sow at a Norfolk farm in eastern England, prompting the rest of the herd to attack him. - (Reuters)
50 hurt as activists and police clash
DHAKA -Activists and police clashed yesterday in Bangladesh, injuring at least 50 people at the start of a three-day transport blockade aimed at derailing upcoming general elections. - (Reuters)