The rest of today's world news in brief
Geldof warns against protectionism
LONDON – Bob Geldof has called on governments to "hold their nerve" in fighting world poverty in the midst of a global financial crisis.
He warned that policies of “protectionism” would “ruin nations”. At a conference in London yesterday, Geldof said poverty was an “engine of war” and failure to address it would cause countries to “strike out”. – (PA)
Marches banned amid riot fears
RIGA – Latvia has banned all marches linked to the controversial anniversary next week of its second World War SS veterans because it fears they might spark a riot like one in January.
The January rioting, when citizens angered at the economic crisis attacked parliament and overturned police cars, was the worst in Latvia since the fall of the Soviet Union. – (Reuters)
Morales expels US embassy official
LA PAZ – Two weeks after he accused the CIA of conspiring against his energy policies, leftist Bolivian president Evo Morales has expelled a US embassy official. "I've decided to declare Francisco Martinez . . . who works for the United States embassy, persona non grata," Mr Morales, a fierce critic of the US, said yesterday. – (Reuters)
US urges China to obey sea rules
WASHINGTON – The US has urged China to observe international maritime rules after the Pentagon said five Chinese ships, including a naval vessel, harassed a US navy ship in international waters.
The Chinese vessels “shadowed and aggressively manoeuvred in dangerously close proximity” to the USNS Impeccable on Sunday, a US defence department statement said. – (Reuters)
Gambia opposition leader arrested
BANJUL – Gambian police arrested a leading opposition figure while he was investigating reports that armed groups were going from village to village searching for witches, a senior member of his party said yesterday.
Halifa Sallah, leader of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, was arrested on Sunday in a village about 20km (12.5 miles) southwest of the capital. – (Reuters)