A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Dutch seek to ban burka in public places
AMSTERDAM - The Dutch government said yesterday it would seek to ban the wearing of burkas and other Muslim face veils in public places, possibly becoming the first European country to impose suchun a ruling.
The annocement comes at a time when the debate on such veils has gathered momentum across Europe and drawn comments from leaders such as Britain's Tony Blair and Italy's Romano Prodi. - (Reuters)
Johnson launches Labour campaign
LONDON - Alan Johnson yesterday launched his bid for the Labour deputy leadership with an open letter to party members asking for their support.
The education secretary had been widely tipped as a potential rival to Gordon Brown for the leadership, but last night ruled out a bid for the top job. - (PA)
Israel urged to end flight violations
UNITED NATIONS - The UN renewed a plea to Israel yesterday to stop violating Lebanese airspace with surveillance flights the Jewish state insists are needed to guard against arms smuggling from Syria.
The UN says such flights, conducted regularly by Israeli warplanes over years, are a clear violation of the ceasefire resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in August to end the 34-day Israel-Hizbullah war. - (Reuters)
Queen owner of lost Caravaggio
LONDON - A painting owned by the Queen has been revealed to be a lost work by the Italian master Caravaggio. The picture, which has been in the royal family's possession for around 400 years, had been dismissed as a copy and was left in a storeroom for decades. Experts from the royal collection have now announced that is the Calling Of Saints Peter and Andrew - a real Caravaggio and one of only 50 surviving canvases by the 17th century artist. - (PA)
Neo-Nazis attack memorial site
BERLIN - German neo-Nazis, some shouting "Sieg Heil", rampaged in the eastern city of Frankfurt on Oder and destroyed wreaths placed to mark the anniversary of the 1938 Nazi pogrom against the Jews, police said yesterday.
A police spokeswoman said the group had launched an attack on Thursday evening, shortly after a memorial service by community and Jewish leaders. - (Reuters)