A round-up of other world news stories in brief
Military jet crashes in San Diego
SAN DIEGO - A military F-18 jet crashed yesterday into a California neighbour- hood near San Diego after the pilot ejected, igniting at least one home, officials said.
Television images showed smoke billowing from the crash site in a tightly packed suburban neighbourhood near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. No one on the ground was believed to be injured, but there were reports that there might have been a second pilot on board.
"At this point, the only indication is that the only person who may be injured is the pilot," said Monica Munoz, of the San Diego police department. - (Reuters)
EU naval operation to combat piracy
BRUSSELS - The European Union agreed yesterday to launch an anti-piracy naval operation off the coast of Somalia involving warships and aircraft from several nations.
The mission, the first such naval operation mounted by the EU, will initially involve three warships - from Greece, Britain and France - and two maritime surveillance aircraft from France and Spain.
The naval force will be joined by a fourth ship from Germany upon approval of the mission by the German parliament, which is expected mid-month, EU officials said. Two maritime surveillance aircraft will be provided by France and Spain, they said.
- (Reuters)
Canada's Dion to step down early
OTTAWA - Stephane Dion, the embattled leader of Canada's opposition Liberal Party, said yesterday he would step down as soon as a successor could be chosen and that this should be done by late January.
Mr Dion, who led the centrist party to a disastrous result in the October 14th general election, had planned to step down in May. But, he said, he agreed that a new leader needs to be in place before the House of Commons resumes on January 26th. - (Reuters)
Three members of Eta arrested
PARIS - French police have arrested three members of the Basque separatist organisation Eta including one who is believed to be the new military leader of the group, the government said yesterday. - (Reuters)
EU split over Congo force
BRUSSELS - EU ministers were split yesterday over the UN's call for an EU force to boost peacekeepers in Congo, with Belgium urging the bloc to send a bridging mission and Britain wanting it to bolster UN troops.
Last Friday, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon repeated a call for an EU "bridging force", saying it may take up to six months for the UN to deploy 3,000 more peacekeepers to Congo to boost its 17,000-strong force. - (Reuters)