A roundup of today's other world news
Scottish plan outlined for self-rule vote
LONDON – The Scottish government outlined plans yesterday to hold a referendum on independence for Scotland next year, although the proposal is not expected to get parliamentary backing.
The referendum Bill is one of 13 proposed pieces of legislation that will be put before the Scottish parliament, first minister Alex Salmond said.
The proposal for a vote to be held in 2010 is unlikely to be passed as Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives all oppose the minority Scottish National Party (SNP) government’s plans. – (Reuters)
Arrest warrant for tycoon
LONDON – A British court has issued an arrest warrant for a Russian mobile phone tycoon wanted in Moscow on charges of kidnapping and blackmail, a source connected to British law enforcement agencies said.
Russian prosecutors said they had received notification from Britain that a court in Westminster had issued an order for the arrest of Yevgeny Chichvarkin after Moscow asked for his extradition. “It has been issued (the arrest warrant) but not executed,” the source in London said. – (Reuters)
11 held on death threat to Sarkozy
PARIS – French police have arrested 11 people and questioned seven others over death threats and bullets sent to President Nicolas Sarkozy and other politicians, a judicial source said yesterday.
The 11 are shopkeepers, former soldiers and members of a shooting club who all live in villages near Montpellier.
A first batch of envelopes containing 9mm cartridges and letters with threats like “You are all dead men walking” was sent to Sarkozy and other politicians in March. – (Reuters)
No freedom for Manson follower
LOS ANGELES – Susan Atkins, who as a follower of mass killer Charles Manson was convicted nearly four decades ago for some of the most notorious murders in US history, has lost her 13th bid for release.
Atkins – terminally ill from brain cancer – was denied her freedom by the California Parole Board.
Atkins, now 61, was convicted in 1971 of taking part in seven of the infamous “Manson family” murders, including that of heavily pregnant actress Sharon Tate. – (Reuters)