A round-up of today's other stories in brief:
Briton admits plot against US targets
LONDON - A Briton arrested amid a massive US security alert two years ago has admitted in a London court plotting to blow up financial targets in the United States and carry out "dirty bomb" attacks in Britain.
Dhiren Barot, a Muslim convert, yesterday admitted plotting to blow up the headquarters of the New York Stock Exchange, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Citigroup and Prudential in Washington, New Jersey and New York.
"Explosions at these premises were clearly designed to kill as many people as possible," said prosecuting lawyer Edmund Lawson.
- (Reuters)
Israeli drone kills 2, hurts 10 in Gaza
GAZA - An Israeli missile fired from an unmanned drone yesterday killed two Palestinians, including a young girl, and wounded 10 others in Shijaia neighbourhood in Gaza City, local residents and hospital staff said.
An Israeli army spokesman said the attack was aimed at a senior militant from the armed wing of Hamas.
- (Reuters)
Toxic waste ship unloads in Estonia
TALLINN - A ship which Ivory Coast says discharged toxic waste that killed eight people in Africa has been allowed to leave an Estonian port and sail to a treatment plant where it was due to unload its cargo.
The Panamanian- registered Probo Koala was seized on September 27th in the port of Paldiski, following a request by Ivory Coast, where thousands of people suffered vomiting, stomach pains and other symptoms in late August.
Estonia mounted a criminal investigation after impounding the tanker - which the company says is carrying routine petroleum "slops" from the inside of oil tanks - suspecting it may have discharged dangerous waste materials into the Baltic Sea.
- (Reuters)
Pope calls for improved dialogue
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict has said Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders need to work harder to improve dialogue among their faithful and to eliminate the use of religion to sow hate or violence.
Pope Benedict, who was embroiled in controversy over remarks about Islam last month, made the comments during an audience for a delegation of Jews from the Anti- Defamation League.
- (Reuters)
Obliging judge jails elderly thief
COLUMBUS - An American man who could not find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect social security: he robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police to arrive.
Timothy Bowers (62) told a judge in Columbus, Ohio, that a three-year prison sentence would suit him - and the judge obliged.
"At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage," Bowers told Judge Angela White. "There is age discrimination out there."
- (AP)