Today's other stories in brief
Third Swedish minister flouts tax laws
STOCKHOLM - Sweden's finance minister says he wants to stay in his job after becoming the third member of the new cabinet to admit breaking tax rules.
The right-of-centre government of prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who took office less than two weeks ago, has been severely embarrassed by the tax-related resignations of the culture minister and the trade minister.
Now key ally Anders Borg, who presented his first budget on Monday, has confirmed reports in local tabloids that he broke tax rules when employing a nanny and house cleaner. - (Reuters)
US population passes 300m
WASHINGTON - The US population has surpassed 300 million people, the US Census Bureau said yesterday, although it will not designate the person who broke the barrier.
The Census Bureau keeps count of the estimated number of Americans, based on the birth rate, death rate and immigration rate, and says the United States adds another person to its population every 11 seconds. - (Reuters)
Madonna defends Malawian adoption
LONDON - Singer Madonna has defended her decision to adopt a one-year-old Malawian boy, after the child was flown to London overnight to a life of luxury with one of the world's most famous couples.
In her first comments since her decision to adopt baby David Banda sparked global media hype, the American singer and mother of two said she wanted to save one child from a life of poverty in a country with a million orphans. - (Reuters)
Ecuador election too close to call
QUITO - An ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and a conservative tycoon were in a dead heat after Ecuador's election and headed to a gruelling run-off in November, according to official results released yesterday.
Left-wing economist Rafael Correa, who wants to sweep away Ecuador's political old guard and restructure foreign debt, won 25.2 per cent of the votes and banana mogul Alvaro Noboa 25 per cent with 50.9 per cent of the ballot boxes counted. - (Reuters)
Bindi Irwin (8) to make TV series
NEW YORK - The eight-year- old daughter of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray, is to follow in her father's footsteps by starring in a new TV wildlife series, sparking a debate about whether the youngster is being exploited.
From early next year Bindi Irwin will star in a 26- part series on Discovery Kids network, with the working title Bindi, the Jungle Girl.
A spokeswoman for Discovery said the documentary started several months ago as a show with Irwin and his daughter and would include scenes between the youngster and her father. - (Reuters)
Roma complaints over Cohen film
BERLIN - A German group representing Roma interests says it has filed a suit to try to stop British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen showing his latest film in Germany.
The group said it had filed a complaint to prosecutors over the film, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, saying it treated violence and discrimination against Roma peoples as acceptable behaviour. - (Reuters)
Warrant for actor on tax charges
TAMPA - Actor Wesley Snipes (44), star of the Blade movie series, has been charged with tax fraud in an indictment that alleges he illegally claimed refunds of almost $12 million.
A warrant has been issued for Snipes's arrest but the actor's whereabouts are unknown. - (Reuters)