Today's other stories in brief
Finland to tighten gun policies
HELSINKI - Finland said yesterday it would tighten gun policies after an 18-year-old student killed six fellow students and two staff members with a handgun when he went on a shooting rampage at his school this week.
The Nordic country had resisted EU plans to limit gun ownership to those aged 18 or older. Finns as young as 15 have had the right to own and use a gun.
Meanwhile, in Sweden, two teenage boys apparently inspired by the school shooting in Finland were arrested yesterday for conspiring to murder a school head and a janitor. - (Reuters)
59 children died in Afghan bombing
BAGHLAN - The number of children killed this week in Afghanistan's deadliest suicide attack yet was put at 59 yesterday, possibly the largest number to die in a single suicide attack anywhere in recent times.
The revelation set off recriminations about why such a large number of children were taking part in a high-profile public event. - (Guardian service)
'Reluctant' bomber pleads guilty
LONDON - The "reluctant" fifth bomber in the failed July 21st, 2005, suicide attacks in London yesterday admitted conspiring to cause explosions. Manfo Kwaku Asiedu (34), a painter and decorator of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the charge at the Old Bailey central criminal court. - (Guardian service)
Police wounded in student protests
CARACAS - Four police officers were shot and wounded during student protests yesterday in the Venezuelan city of Merida in an escalation of demonstrations against president Hugo Chavez's plan to scrap term limits. - (Reuters)
Ex Canadian PM to be investigated
OTTAWA - Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper announced an investigation yesterday into allegations of improper dealings between German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber and former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
- (Reuters)
Former NY police head indicted
NEW YORK - Former New York police commissioner and Rudy Giuliani protege Bernard Kerik was indicted on 14 federal counts including fraud, obstructing an FBI investigation and lying to the federal government, it was announced yesterday. - (Reuters)
At least 20 killed in Somalia clashes
MOGADISHU - Corpses were scattered on Mogadishu's streets yesterday after fighting between Islamist-led insurgents and Ethiopian troops killed at least 20 people, witnesses said. One Ethiopian mortar bomb crashed into the capital's Bakara market before detonating. - (Reuters)