The other world news stories of the day...
Ex-police chief pleads guilty to corruption
NEW YORK – Former New York city police commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded guilty yesterday to lying to White House officials, tax evasion and other charges in a deal that could send him to prison for almost three years.
Kerik, whose corruption trial had been due to start next week, also admitted as part of his guilty plea that he had received apartment renovations from a construction firm suspected of organised crime ties, and that he helped the company win city contracts. – (Reuters)
EU warns Ukraine over gas supplies
BRUSSELS – The EU has urged Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko to prevent any delays in payments for Russian gas that might affect gas flows to EU citizens.
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso told Mr Yushchenko it was essential that there be no blockages to Ukrainian payments for gas supplies from Russia, a commission spokesman said. – (Reuters)
Praying murderer convicted
LONDON – A man whose prayers for forgiveness were overheard by police who bugged his car has been convicted of murder.
George Maben’s “confession” was played to an Old Bailey jury, which found him guilty of killing his girlfriend’s mother. It was after detectives heard his words, “God, forgive me for what I have done,” that they arrested him for strangling Maureen Cosgrove (65). – (PA)