A round-up of today's other stories in brief
PJ Proby charged with £47,000 fraud
LONDON – Pop singer PJ Proby appeared in court yesterday, charged with cheating the British state benefits system out of more than £47,000 ($76,200).
American-born Mr Proby (72), enjoyed British success in the 1960s with a string of hits including Somewhereand Mariafrom West Side Storyand enhanced his fame by being banned from the BBC after splitting his skin-tight trousers during a notorious concert in Luton.
Magistrates in Worcester ruled that Mr Proby, who denies the charges, should be committed to stand trial at the city’s crown court, the Press Association reported. – (Reuters)
New Zealand's PM sets election date
WELLINGTON – New Zealand will hold a general election on November 26th, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday, confirming a date which had been widely expected.
Mr Key’s centre-right National Party governs with the support of three minor parties and holds a commanding lead in opinion polls over the main opposition centre-left Labour Party.
A Reuters poll of four major polls gives National average support of 54.5 per cent against Labour’s 32.6 per cent.
White Stripes announce break-up
NEW YORK – Grammy- winning rock duo The White Stripes announced their break-up yesterday, citing “a myriad of reasons” that they did not disclose and saying they want to “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band”.
“The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live,” said a statement on the band’s website.
The raw, punk and blues influenced White Stripes, consisted of vocalist Jack White and ex-wife Meg White. – (Reuters)