In Short

A round-up to today's other stories in brief

A round-up to today's other stories in brief

Islamist on trial for 'threat to Denmark'

COPENHAGEN - The spokesman for a radical Islamic group has been charged with threatening the Danish government in a leaflet urging Muslims to "eliminate" rulers who prevent them from joining the insurgency in Iraq, according to a Danish prosecutor.

The leaflets, distributed by the Danish chapter of Hizb ut-Tahrir in 2004, called on Muslims to join the insurgents fighting coalition troops.

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They also urged Muslims to "eliminate your rulers if they stand in your way", a phrase prosecutors interpret as a direct threat to the Danish government. - (AP)

Al-Qaeda militant goes on trial

ISTANBUL - A Syrian al- Qaeda militant has gone on trial in Turkey charged with planning bomb attacks on synagogues, the British consulate and an HSBC bank branch which killed more than 60 people in Istanbul.

Louai al Sakka is charged with masterminding and securing finance for the bombings in November 2003. A Turkish al-Qaeda cell admitted responsibility for the attacks. - (Reuters)

Four of drug trial men recovering

LONDON - Four of the six men taken seriously ill after a drug trial have been taken off organ support, the hospital treating them has said.

The four are "making a steady recovery" and are responding well to treatment, according to a statement from Northwick Park Hospital in London.

The other two men are still critical but continue to show early signs of improvement. - (PA)

Man (85) on trial over Nazi past

VILNIUS - An 85-year-old man suspected of helping the Nazis round up Jews during the second World War has gone on trial in Lithuania.

Algimantas Dailide, who moved to the US in 1955 and lived there until he was deported in 2003 for lying about his wartime past, testified about his role during the Nazi occupation of the Baltic country.

Mr Dailide is accused of being a member of the Nazi- sponsored Lithuanian security police, the Saugumas, which took part in the arrests of Jews during the war. - (AP)

Poll shows leftist candidate ahead

MEXICO CITY - Leftist front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has extended his lead for Mexico's July presidential election despite growing attacks from opponents, a new opinion poll shows.

The survey in the Milenio daily yesterday said 38 per cent of those polled would vote for Mr Lopez Obrador, the Party of the Democratic Revolution's candidate. - (Reuters)

Tycoon may not get early release

MOSCOW - Jailed Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky could be turned down for early release next year because he has been disciplined for breaking prison rules, his lawyer said yesterday.

Khodorkovsky was last week given seven days in a punishment cell for drinking tea in the wrong place, his lawyers said. - (Reuters)

UK minimum wage raised 6%

LONDON - Britain has raised its minimum wage by 6 per cent to £5.35 (€7.21) an hour in October, pleasing trade unions but prompting complaints from business leaders that an increase way above inflation would lead to job cuts. - (AP)