A round-up of other world news in brief...
Lebanese PM designate steps down
BEIRUT – Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri yesterday abandoned an attempt to form a government with rival groups including Hizbullah, blaming opponents for blocking his efforts.
The Syria- and Iran-backed Hizbullah and its allies rejected a draft unity government proposed by Mr Hariri this week, more than 10 weeks after he was designated prime minister.
Mr Hariri, a Saudi- and US-backed billionaire businessman, said he had held “rounds and rounds of consultations which always ended in obstruction”. Opposition politician Gebran Bassil blamed Mr Hariri for the failure. – (Reuters)
Scientists solve bacteria potency
CHICAGO – Scientists have discovered how bacteria fend off a wide range of antibiotics, and blocking that defence mechanism could give existing antibiotics more power to fight dangerous infections.
Researchers at New York University said yesterday that bacteria produce certain nitric oxide-producing enzymes to resist antibiotics.
Drugs that inhibit these enzymes can make antibiotics much more potent, making even deadly superbugs such as MRSA succumb, they said. – (Reuters)
DeGeneres set for 'American Idol'
LOS ANGELES – The choice of comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres as the new judge on TV show American Idol appeared set to revive interest in the top-rated talent show after three years of falling ratings.
DeGeneres, one of the most popular TV chat show hosts in the United States, will replace Paula Abdul in the four-person panel when the competition returns for a ninth season in January on the Fox network.
DeGeneres, who has no musical background, said she would be the people’s voice on the panel. – (Reuters)
Berlusconi claims he is best leader
ROME – Italy’s prime minister Silvio Berlusconi hit back at his critics yesterday, saying he is by far the best leader in Italian history and has never considered resigning over scandals concerning his private life.
In a spirited performance even by his own standards, the 72-year-old media tycoon also attacked Spanish daily El Pais for its critical coverage and denied paying for sex. A prostitute who taped an encounter with him could face 18 years in prison, Mr Berlusconi said during televised news conference in Sardinia. – (Reuters)
Shipwreck toll to rise sharply
TOMBO, Sierra Leone – The death toll in a shipwreck off Sierra Leone could rise from the 80 victims so far reported, as up to 300 people were aboard and only dozens have been rescued, maritime and military officials said yesterday.
The boat, thought to be carrying 150 people, mostly children returning from school holidays, was caught in a storm off the capital Freetown on Tuesday. But the harbourmaster at Tombo, a Freetown peninsula village, said there were far more people on board than had been presumed. – (Reuters)