Other stories from around the world in brief
Zimbabwe drops terror charges
HARARE - Zimbabwe prosecutors have dropped terrorism charges against six men, including an opposition member of parliament, accused of plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe.
State media yesterday said the group had planned to disrupt Mr Mugabe's 82nd birthday celebrations last month in the eastern border town of Mutare where he was feted at a municipal stadium by thousands of supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party. - (Reuters)
Tremors shake Mozambique
MAPUTO - Two earth tremors shook central Mozambique yesterday in what officials described as aftershocks of a powerful earthquake that killed four people in the southeastern African nation last month.
No deaths or injuries were reported from the tremors, which occurred about two hours apart in the central province of Manica, the same region that was hit by an earthquake on February 23rd. - (Reuters)
Czech vote allows same-sex unions
PRAGUE - The Czech lower house of parliament has voted to override a presidential veto and approve a law allowing same- sex partnerships.
The law allowing same- sex couples to officially register and terminate their relationships was originally approved by the lower house. In mid-February President Vaclav Klaus vetoed the bill.
An absolute majority of 101 in the 200-seat lower house was needed to override the veto. - (Reuters)
International child porn ring cracked
CHICAGO - Canadian and US law enforcement officials say they have cracked an international pornography ring that featured live molestations of children streamed over the internet.
Twenty-seven people from nine US states and from Canada, Australia and Britain have been charged with possession, distribution, receipt and manufacture of child pornography. - (Reuters)
Cancer, implants link not found
NEW YORK - A study of almost 2,800 Danish women who received breast implants between 1973 and 1995 has found that they actually had a lower risk of breast cancer than a group of similar but implant-free women. Also, the implants were not tied to other types of cancer, according to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer. - (Reuters)
Mosquito-borne disease confirmed
FRENCH GUYANA - The first case of the mosquito- borne disease chikungunya has been confirmed in French Guyana, say local health authorities. Results are due today of tests carried out on a second person, who also displayed symptoms of the painful disease for which there is no cure or vaccine. - (Reuters)
Pavarotti concerts postponed
SAO PAULO - Tenor Luciano Pavarotti has postponed concerts in Latin America and Europe because of health problems, according to a Brazilian state media office.
The Italian star was taken to a hospital in New York on Tuesday night, the Minas Gerais state government said. Pavarotti was due to appear in Minas Gerais state on Saturday. - (Reuters)
Ethiopia releases 395 detainees
ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has released another 395 detainees held on suspicion of involvement in violent protests over last year's election. Most were detained after the disputed May 2005 poll which returned prime minister Meles Zenawi to power.
Thousands were arrested and security forces killed more than 80 people in violence last June and November in Addis Ababa. - (Reuters)