A round-up of other world news in brief
Police investigate death of Labour MP
LONDON – Police were last night investigating the death of Labour MP Ashok Kumar following the discovery of his body at his home earlier yesterday.
Cleveland police said they were treating the death of Dr Kumar (53) as “unexplained”.
Staff working for the MP are believed to have raised the alarm after they were unable to reach him by phone.
Police said they were called to his address on Canberra Road in Marton, Middlesbrough, at 12.30pm.
“Officers entered the property and found the body of a man in his 50s. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics,” a spokesman for the Cleveland force said.
“At this stage it is too early to say whether the death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing.”
The single Indian-born MP was not believed to be unwell. – (PA)
Separated
LONDON – British actor Kate Winslet (34) and film director husband Sam Mendes (44), one of Hollywood’s golden couples, have separated, their lawyer announced yesterday.
“Kate and Sam are saddened to announce that they separated earlier this year,” said Keith Schilling.
“The split is entirely amicable and is by mutual agreement. Both parties are fully committed to the future joint parenting of their children.
“They ask that the media respect the privacy of the family.” – (Reuters)
World's shortest man dies aged 21 while filming in Italy
LONDON – The world’s shortest man, He Pingping, has died at the age of 21, a Guinness World Records spokesman said yesterday.
Pingping, who was 29 inches tall, was filming a television programme in Italy when he developed chest problems.
The Chinese-born man, who became a record-holder in March 2008, was taken to hospital in Rome for treatment but he died on Saturday.
It is understood he died of heart complications. – (PA)
Brother of Mafia boss arrested with 18 others
PALERMO – Authorities say they have arrested the brother of Italy’s most wanted Mafioso, along with 18 others accused of helping Sicilian boss Matteo Messina Denaro avoid capture.
In operation “Golem 2”, more than 200 police from Palermo and Trapani in Sicily yesterday arrested Salvatore Messina Denaro.
He was arrested along with others who authorities said were members of a network surrounding the “boss of bosses” of the Cosa Nostra, who has been on the run since 1993.
The detainees face charges of organising godfather Matteo Messina Denaro’s secret correspondence “in order to help him remain on the run”, said a police statement.
Other charges include Mafia association, corruption and protection rackets. – (Reuters)