Today's other stories in brief
Officer caught up in G20 death suspended
LONDON – A British policeman caught on camera shoving to the ground a man who later died during the anti-G20 protests last week has been suspended pending an investigation, police said.
In a statement, London's Metropolitan Police force said an officer of its Territorial Support Group, one of four who had made themselves known to officials, had been relieved of his duties. – (Reuters)
French download Bill voted down
France’s parliament has rejected a Bill that proposed disconnecting internet users if they download music or films illegally, with the ruling UMP party failing to turn out in force to approve the law.
Opposition politicians managed to defeat it at a final vote in the National Assembly yesterday when only a small number of UMP lawmakers turned up for the session. – (Reuters)
Rowling quits MS society role
LONDON – JK Rowling has announced she is standing down as patron of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland, claiming the charity is being split by an internal row.
The Harry Potter author, who has been a high-profile supporter of the society for almost a decade, said a "long-standing and escalating" conflict between the Scottish arm of the charity and management in London had damaged morale and caused staff to quit, and she could no longer act as the organisation's public face. – (Guardian service)
Man divorces wife by text message
RIYADH – A Saudi man has divorced his wife by text message. The man was in Iraq when he sent the SMS informing her she was no longer his spouse. He followed up with a telephone call to two of his relatives.
A court in the Red Sea city of Jeddah finalised the split after summoning the two relatives to check they had received word of the husband's intention. – (Reuters)
Fiat workers hold managers hostage
BRUSSELS – Fiat workers in Brussels briefly held local managers inside their office in a bid to renegotiate terms for planned job cuts, the latest in a spate of so-called "boss-nappings" across Europe. – (Reuters)