A roundup of today's other world news in brief
Norwegians face death for DRC killing
KINSHASA – A military court in Democratic Republic of Congo has condemned to death two Norwegians accused of killing their driver, the chief prosecutor said yesterday after a retrial in the north of the country.
Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland were charged with the murder of their driver after he was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head east of the northern city of Kisangani in May last year. The former soldiers were also charged with espionage.
“They have been condemned to death,” prosecutor Col Pierre Agabu confirmed. – (Reuters)
Paedophiles get life for murder
GLASGOW – Two paedophiles were jailed for life yesterday for the murder of a woman almost 13 years ago who they believed intended to tell authorities about their sexual abuse of a boy.
Charles O’Neill (47) was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years and William Lauchlan (33) a minimum 26 years for murdering Allison McGarrigle and dumping her body at sea in 1997. – (PA)
Berlusconi leaves Zapatero in lurch
ROME – Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi created an awkward scene at a joint news conference yesterday when he abruptly walked off and left his Spanish counterpart, José Luís Zapatero, alone on the podium. Both leaders had just finished making opening statements when Mr Berlusconi told reporters to direct questions at Mr Zapatero and suddenly walked off. – (Reuters)
US to ensure BP pays oil spill cost
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration will take the necessary steps to ensure that the American people are not left paying for the clean-up and damages from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and that BP will bear that cost, attorney general Eric Holder said yesterday.
Mr Holder said he promised “the American people will not pay a dime for the clean-up of the Gulf region and that BP will be held responsible for all damages”. – (Reuters)