A roundup of today's other world news in brief
Virginia gunman surrenders
VIRGINIA – A gunman wanted for murdering eight people in a house, and then firing at a police helicopter, surrendered yesterday after a huge manhunt.
The drama began on Monday when a man was spotted barely alive along the side of a narrow country road in the state of Virginia. He died on the way to the hospital.
Police answering the emergency call heard more gunshots, and seven other men and women were discovered dead at a nearby home.
They surrounded a stretch of woods overnight, and as teams tried to flush out the gunman, he fired at a police helicopter and hit a fuel tank, forcing it to land.
Yesterday morning Christopher Speight (39) approached officers at the scene of the shootings and turned himself in. – (AP)
‘New York Times’ to charge online
NEW YORK – The New York Timeswill make people pay for articles online starting next year, marking a big move by a prominent newspaper to find ways to survive on the web as print subscriptions and advertising sales fall.
The New York Times Company said yesterday that it would use a “metered model”, charging readers for access after they read a certain number of articles in a month.
“This process of rethinking our business model has also been driven by our desire to achieve additional revenue diversity that will make us less susceptible to the inevitable economic cycles,” chief executive Janet Robinson said.
The move strikes at the heart of a debate in the news media as to whether to continue giving away valuable news and features on the web, or start charging at the risk of losing readers.
Ant and Dec clean up at British television awards
LONDON – Britain’s top television shows, actors and presenters went head to head last night for honours at the National Television Awards, with the winners announced as:
Entertainment Presenters:Ant and Dec;
Comedy:Gavin and Stacey;
Outstanding Serial Drama Performance:Lacey Turner in EastEnders;
Most Popular Star Travel Documentary:Stephen Fry in America Most Popular;
Newcomer:Craig Gazey, Coronation Street;
Most Popular Entertainment Programme:Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway;
Most Popular Drama:Dr Who;
Most Popular Factual Programme:Loose Women;
Most Popular Talent Show:X Factor ;
Outstanding Drama Performance:David Tennant in Dr Who. – (PA)
‘Mercy killing’
LONDON – The family of a mother who gave her brain-damaged son a lethal heroin injection last night demanded a change in the law on “mercy killing” as she was jailed for life. They said they were standing by Frances Inglis (57), who tearfully told the Old Bailey that she killed her son Tom (22) to end his “living hell”.
Inglis, of Dagenham, east London, was jailed for a minimum term of nine years after being found guilty of murder and attempted murder by a jury.
Her older son Alex (26) said he and his family supported his mother. – (PA)