A roundup of today's other world stories in brief:
Lisbon Treaty backed by Romania
BUCHAREST- Romania's parliament yesterday overwhelmingly ratified the EU's Lisbon Treaty, signed by EU leaders last year. It was backed by 387 deputies and rejected by one.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Commission yesterday told Bulgaria and Romania they had to step up action against corruption and crime but it held off punishing the two states, who joined the EU in 2007. "To use a sport analogy, we had a poor first half, we expect a better second one, and we don't want to go into extra time or penalties," commission spokesman Mark Gray said.
- (Reuters)
US kills nine Iraqi civilians
BAGHDAD- US troops killed nine Iraqi civilians while hunting al-Qaeda militants, the US military said yesterday, the latest in a series of mistakes in which innocent Iraqis have died.
The deaths, on Saturday, which Iraqi police said were caused by a helicopter air strike, were announced as Iraq said it would begin talks with US officials this month on an agreement covering the role of US forces after a UN Security Council mandate expires at the end of 2008.
- (Reuters)
Bible 'sanctions' same-sex couples
LONDON- One of England's most senior Anglican bishops has argued that the Bible sanctions same-sex relationships, using the bonds between Jesus and John the disciple, and David and Jonathan, as examples.
The bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev James Jones, expressed the views in a book, A Fallible Church, in which he apologised for objecting to the appointment of the gay British cleric, Dr Jeffrey John, as bishop of Reading.
- (Guardian service)
Iran launches research rocket
TEHRAN- Iran yesterday launched a rocket designed to carry its first locally-made research satellite next year, showing the country's advances in ballistics at a time when the West is already jittery about Iran's nuclear plans.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad read out the countdown before the rocket blasted off, state TV reported.
The technology used to put satellites into space could also be used for weapons, but analysts differed on the significance of the event. Andrew Brookes of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said the test was nothing remarkable as Iran had already developed ballistic missiles.
- (Reuters)
Annan seeks Kenya truth commission
NAIROBI- Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan yesterday called on Kenya to set up a truth and reconciliation commission to heal divisions after more than a month of politically-motivated ethnic unrest.
"A truth, justice and reconciliation commission that includes local and international jurists should be established," said Mr Annan, flanked by government and opposition representatives.
- (Reuters)