A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Hispanics in US set to reach 50m
WASHINGTON – The Hispanic population in the US is tipped to break 50 million for the first time, the 2010 census is expected to report, with most growth over the last decade driven by Latinos.
The US Census Bureau is releasing the first national findings from the 2010 Census, which s expected to show greater than expected growth for the Hispanic population, currently at about 47 million, analysts say. – (Reuters)
Kuchma charged over 2000 murder
KIEV – Former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma says he has been charged over the 2000 murder of opposition journalist Georgiy Gongadze.
Ukraine’s general prosecutors office on Tuesday opened a criminal case against Mr Kuchma (72), president from 1994 to 2005, on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Gongadze, one of his sharpest public critics.
Mr Kuchma told reporters as he left the prosecutor’s office: “I have been charged.” – (Reuters)
Stalker guilty of attacks on elderly
LONDON – A former London minicab driver, dubbed the “Night Stalker”, has been convicted of “sickening and depraved” attacks on pensioners during a 17-year campaign of terror.
Delroy Grant (53) was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday of 29 counts of preying on 18 elderly men and women. Police fear he may have attacked as many as 500 vulnerable people. – (Reuters)
6.8 quake hits northeast Burma as tremor felt 770km away in Bangkok
RANGOON – A strong earthquake has struck northeastern Burma, shaking buildings as far away as Bangkok. No tsunami was generated.
The quake struck along the borders with Thailand and Laos, about 110km from Chiang Rai. The northern Thai city suffered a little damage, according to Thai television.
The 6.8-magnitude quake was just 10km deep, according to the US Geological Survey.
At that strength and depth, the monitor said 600,000 people experienced strong or violent shaking. The buildings are considered vulnerable so moderate to very heavy damage is expected in homes. Buildings swayed in Bangkok, about 770km south of the epicentre. One woman was reported killed. – (AP)
Warhol painting of Liz Taylor for sale
LONDON – A portrait of Elizabeth Taylor by Andy Warhol will go under the hammer in New York on May 12th and is expected to fetch as much as $30 million, according to auctioneers Phillips de Pur. Taylor died on Wednesday aged 79.
Liz #5, painted in 1963, is “a dazzling tribute to Elizabeth Taylor”, the auction house said yesterday. “It is Warhol at his very best, with a perfect screen, glowing colours and impeccable provenance.” – (Reuters)