A round-up of today's other stories in brief
China plans to inspect North Korean cargo
NEW YORK - China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, said yesterday his country would carry out inspections to spot any suspicious arms from North Korea but ruled out interdiction, an apparent reference to stopping cargo on the high seas.
"Inspections yes, but inspections are different from interception and interdiction," Mr Guangya said. - (Reuters)
Hawaiian quake damages roads
HONOLULU - Hawaii suffered major road and port damage in the most powerful quake in the Pacific archipelago in two decades, but no deaths or serious injuries were reported.
Power had been mostly restored and schools were partially opened 24 hours after the 6.7 magnitude quake and repeated aftershocks hit a few miles off the island's west shore. - (Reuters)
NY lawyer jailed for aiding terrorism
NEW YORK - A New York attorney convicted of aiding terrorism by helping a client smuggle messages to militant followers was sentenced to 28 months in prison yesterday.
Lynne Stewart (67) was convicted in February 2005 of helping her imprisoned client, Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, to contact the Islamic Group - listed by the US government as a terrorist organisation - with messages prosecutors said could have ignited violence in Egypt. - (Reuters)
Lawmakers found guilty of fraud
JOHANNESBURG - Fourteen current and former South African lawmakers were convicted of fraud yesterday after they pleaded guilty to abusing travel allowances in one of the biggest corruption scandals in the post- apartheid era.
South Africa's Cape High Court approved plea bargain deals reached with prosecutors, the national prosecuting authority said.
Some of those convicted were fined, while others were given suspended sentences. - (Reuters)
Pope's visit to Turkey confirmed
ROME - The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Turkey from November 28th to December 1st.
Pope Benedict will travel to Ankara, Istanbul, Ephesus and Izmir during his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country. - (AP)