A round-up of today's world news stories in brief
Nato denies report of civilian deaths
KABUL – Afghan government and Nato officials disputed each other’s accounts of reports that more than 50 civilians were killed after being caught up in fighting between foreign forces and insurgents.
Government spokesman Siamak Herawi said 52 people, many women and children, were killed by a Nato rocket attack on Friday in Sangin, Helmand province, but the Nato-led force said a preliminary investigation had not yet revealed any civilian casualties. – (Reuters)
Most Americans say Obama has not focused on job creation
WASHINGTON – Americans by a large majority believe President Barack Obama has not focused enough on job creation, as economic fears threaten Democrats ahead of November elections, a Reuters-Ipsos poll has found.
In a sign of trouble ahead for the ruling Democrats, the poll found evidence of a sizable enthusiasm gap with Republicans more energised about voting in the congressional elections.
Americans expressed deep unhappiness with the direction of the economy, which they identified overwhelmingly as the country’s top problem. The US jobless rate is at a stubbornly high 9.5 per cent. People were more negative about Mr Obama’s performance on the economy than on any other question surveyed and satisfaction was dropping more sharply on the issue from past surveys. – (Reuters)
Utah polygamist to get retrial
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah supreme court has tossed out the sexual abuse conviction of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs and ordered a new trial on charges of forcing a girl (14) to marry her first cousin.
Jeffs, the self-proclaimed prophet of a breakaway Mormon sect, was sentenced in November 2007 to 10 years to life for convictions on charges he was an accomplice to rape. However the court ruled that the judge had erred in giving instructions to the jury. – (Reuters)
UK refuses to extradite Bosnian leader
LONDON – A British court has refused to extradite former Bosnian wartime leader Ejup Ganic, wanted in Serbia on war crimes charges, saying his trial would be politically motivated.
Ganic, a member of Bosnia’s multi-ethnic presidency during the three-way 1992-95 war that pitted his fellow Muslims against Serbs and Croats, hailed the ruling as a vindication. Serbia said it would appeal to a higher court. – (Reuters)