A round-up of today's other world news in brief ...
Verdict in Suu Kyi trial expected today
BURMA – Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was bracing herself for the worst ahead of today’s verdict in her high-profile trial, gathering medicine and books to prepare for a feared prison term, her lawyer said.
The frail 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was “physically and mentally fine, and very alert,” Nyan Win, one of her lawyers, said.
“She is getting ready for any result,” he said. “She is preparing for the worst.”
Suu Kyi is charged with violating the terms of her long house arrest when an American intruder swam across a lake and spent two nights at her home in early May. She faces a minimum of three years and maximum of five years in prison. – (Reuters)
Nigerian sect leader killed
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – The leader of a radical Islamic sect in northern Nigeria was killed in police detention hours after being captured by the security forces, a police spokesman said.
He has been killed. You can come and see his body at the state police command headquarters, said Isa Azare, spokesman for the police command in the northern city of Maiduguri. – (Reuters)
Wage agreement in S Africa strikes
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s striking council workers union has reached a wage agreement with employers, according to a local government association official, a deal that could ease political pressure on President Jacob Zuma.
Xolile George, chief executive of the South African Local Government Association (Salga), said yesterday that all parties agreed on a wage package but he did not give details. –(Reuters)
Dog missing for nine years found
MELBOURNE – A dog that went missing nine years ago has been found alive and well 1,200 miles from home.
Inspectors from Australia’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were investigating a possible animal cruelty case at a home in Melbourne when they found the dog, called Muffy, sleeping outside on a scrap of cardboard.
A microchip in Muffy’s neck identified her owner and after a few days of searching for a current phone number, officials tracked down Natalie Lampard, who had not seen Muffy since she disappeared from her garden in Brisbane nine years ago. – (AP)
Proposed increase to parental leave
BRUSSELS – The European Union’s executive has proposed increasing minimum parental leave to four months per child by 2011 from three months, which will affect national laws in Ireland, Britain, Portugal Romania and Malta.
Parental leave in the 27- nation EU is paid or unpaid, depending on national law. It is in addition to maternity leave, which is paid leave taken for a minimum 14 weeks after a mother gives birth, and paternity leave if provided by a given country.
The proposal would also allow three of each parent’s four months to be transferred to the other. – (Reuters)
Royalties awarded after 42 years
LONDON – Organist Matthew Fisher has won a share of the royalties of A Whiter Shade of Pale – 42 years after the record became one of the biggest hits in pop history.
Lawyers yesterday said the ruling from the House of Lords could cause a copyright headache for major artists – with musicians who performed on successful recordings lining up to bring claims for their contributions.
Fisher (61) from Croydon, south London, who now works as a computer programmer, launched his claim against the lead singer of Procol Harum, Gary Brooker, in 2005. – (PA)