A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Portugal re-elects Silva as president
LISBON – Debt-laden Portugal re-elected President Anibal Cavaco Silva for a second term yesterday with about 55 per cent of the vote, according to television exit polls.
Although he hails from the opposition centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD), analysts expect Cavaco Silva to uphold Socialist prime minister Jose Socrates’ strategy of cutting the budget deficit via austerity measures to soothe investor concerns about Portugal’s public finances. But as Mr Socrates’ government has a minority in parliament, any rifts on policy with the PSD, failure to meet budget targets or a request for an international bailout could add importance to the president’s role as mediator, or even an agent of govern- mental change. – (Reuters)
Nuclear talks possible, says Iran, as meeting ends in stalemate
TEHRAN – Iran hopes to resume talks with world powers on its nuclear programme, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday, a day after discussions ended in stalemate.
“If the other party is determined and committed to law, justice and respect, there is hope that in the next sessions good results would be achieved,” Mr Ahmadinejad said.
Two days of talks with the United States, France, Germany, China, Russia and Britain ended without progress on Saturday with the group’s lead negotiator, the European Union’s Catherine Ashton, saying no further meeting was scheduled.
Mr Ahmadinejad spoke as if it were understood the talks would resume. “In the upcoming meetings there will be good agreements made, provided the two parties remain committed to the spirit of the talks,” he said. – (Reuters)
Man charged with Yeates murder
BRISTOL – A man has been charged with the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates, police in Bristol have said.
Vincent Tabak (32) will face Bristol Magistrates Court tomorrow accused of killing Ms Yeates (25).
Det Chief Insp Phil Jones, who led the inquiry, said last night: “This evening we have charged Vincent Tabak with the murder of Joanna Yeates. I would like to pay tribute to Jo’s family and Greg for their assistance . . . Their support to us has been invaluable.”
Mr Tabak, a Dutch engineer who lived next door to Ms Yeates at Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol, was arrested on Thursday.
Specialist search teams have been examining Mr Tabak’s flat in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. – (PA)