A roundup of today's other world news in brief:
Nato military exercise plan for Georgia
BRUSSELS– Nato said yesterday it would hold military exercises next month in Georgia, a former Soviet republic promised eventual alliance membership but whose territory was invaded by Russia last August.
No immediate comment was available from Russia, which considers Georgia part of its traditional sphere of influence.
Russia invaded Georgia to defeat an attempt by its pro-western leadership to retake the breakaway South Ossetia region. – (Reuters)
Cleopatra and Antony’s tombs
ABUSIR– The tombs of Cleopatra and Mark Antony may have been discovered in Egypt, scientists announced yesterday. Archaeologists will begin excavating three likely sites near the Mediterranean next week.
The queen of Egypt and her Roman general lover took their own lives after being defeated in the battle of Actium in 31 BC. – (AP)
Death of French academician
PARIS– Maurice Druon, author of the Chant des Partisans, one of France's most rousing hymns to the wartime Resistance, has died at the age of 90.
Druon, a member of the Académie française and winner of the country's most prestigious literary prize, was also a government minister. – (Reuters)
Female Eta suspect arrested
PARIS– French police have arrested a woman suspected of being an Eta militant while another alleged member of the Basque armed separatist group escaped.
The two suspects were arrested in central France after a car chase with police. – (Reuters)
US criticises Saudi girl’s marriage
WASHINGTON– The US yesterday called the case of an eight-year-old Saudi girl married to a man 50 years her senior a "clear and unacceptable violation of human rights", in a rare criticism of its oil-producing ally.
A Saudi court upheld for the second time last week the marriage on condition the husband does not have sex with the girl until she reaches puberty. – (Reuters)
Man bites python to free himself
NAIROBI– A Kenyan man bit a python who wrapped him in its coils and hauled him up a tree in a struggle that lasted hours.
Farm manager Ben Nyaumbe, who survived with damaged lips and bruising, was working when the serpent struck. – (Reuters)