Today's other stories in brief
Gun killer's father may face charges
BERLIN – Prosecutors may charge the father of a German teenager who went on a killing rampage last week with involuntary manslaughter for leaving the murder weapon unlocked in his bedroom, despite knowing his son was depressed.
Tim Kretschmer (17) used his father’s Beretta pistol to kill 12 students and teachers at his former school, and three other people, on Wednesday, before shooting himself dead when cornered by police.
Prosecutors in the southern German city of Stuttgart said yesterday they had launched an investigation into the father’s role in the crime after establishing that he was probably aware of his sons fragile mental state. – (Reuters)
Report of papal visit ‘premature’
Senior Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi has told The Irish Times that weekend reports suggesting that the pope might visit Britain in September 2010 are “premature”, pointing out that Pope Benedict’s programme for 2010 has not yet been decided, writes Paddy Agnew in Rome.
Various British media sources had claimed that the pope might accept a recent invitation from British prime minister Gordon Brown.
Vatican insiders last night suggested that while the idea of a British pastoral visit was being seriously considered, it was much too early to conclude that the pope would definitely visit. It is highly unlikely that such a visit would also include Ireland, North or South.
Four die in Pakistan blast
RAWALPINDI – A bomb exploded near a bus stop in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi yesterday, killing four people, police said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility. – (Reuters)
Islamists release UN hostages
MOGADISHU – Four UN humanitarian workers kidnapped yesterday in southern Somalia have been freed, hardline Islamist insurgents said.
“I can confirm to you that all four aid workers were released from militia who abducted them in Wajid this morning – unconditionally after a joint effort,” a spokesman said. – (Reuters)
Medvedev warning to Russian tycoons
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has urged Russia’s biggest businesses to put jobs ahead of profits, in a thinly veiled warning to the country’s super-rich oligarchs, writes Daniel McLaughlin.
“People have been getting very rich in a very short time . . . Now it is time to return debts, moral debts,” Mr Medvedev said.
Chris Tarrant arrested at home
TV presenter Chris Tarrant was arrested after a woman claimed she was assaulted during a domestic incident at his home. Tarrant (62), host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Colour of Money, was arrested in the early hours at his home in Surrey.
The 62-year-old was released without charge.