A round-up of other world stories in brief...
Nine foreigners taken hostage in Yemen
Nine foreign nationals, mostly women and children, were captured by Shia rebels in a mountainous region of northern Yemen, it emerged yesterday.
The group of seven Germans, including five children, a Briton and a Korean, had been picnicking on Friday in the province of Saada, the Yemen interior ministry said.
State-run media in Yemen said the foreigners had been working at the Jumhuri hospital in the region. The hostages belong to an international humanitarian group that has worked at the hospital since 1974. – (Guardian service)
Strained ties for Belarus, Russia
MOSCOW – The rift between Russia and Belarus deepened yesterday when Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko snubbed a security summit in Moscow in protest at Russia’s “trade war” against his nation.
Minsk is angry at rising prices for Russian gas and Moscow by Mr Lukashenko’s growing overtures to the West. – (Reuters)
Rally against Niger’s leader
NIAMEY – Tens of thousands of people marched through Niger’s capital Niamey yesterday to protest against President Mamadou Tandja’s plans to hold a constitutional referendum aimed at extending his rule.
The rally was interrupted by the death of veteran politician Amadou Moumouni Djermakoye, who had served as foreign minister several times and was a member of the ruling majority, but who had joined protests against Mr Tandja’s plans.– (Reuters)
Concern over Italy patrol plan
ROME – Italy’s interior minister vowed yesterday to push ahead with plans for citizens patrols to fight crime, despite concern over the possible fascist links of at least one group keen to participate. Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s government has agreed with its Northern League allies a plan for patrols to help police and soldiers on the streets.
Some critics compared the plan to the Blackshirts, used by fascist leader Benito Mussolini. – (Reuters)
