Oter world news in brief
230 absconded from care home at centre of row
The care home in Scotland attended by two teenage girls who leapt to their deaths from a bridge reported more than 200 cases of missing youngsters in the last year, it emerged yesterday.
Neve Lafferty (15) and Georgia Rowe (14) jumped more than 100ft from the Erskine Bridge, near Glasgow, into the River Clyde last Sunday, hours after spending a “happy” weekend with relatives.
They were pupils at the nearby Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, and had apparently sneaked out of the centre shortly before 9pm.
The Care Commission confirmed that the centre reported 232 cases of young people absconding to police in one 12-month period.
The commission said that many of the incidents were repeat cases involving the same girls. – (PA)
Pope creates five new saints
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict created five saints yesterday including Belgian priest Damien who worked and died among Hawaiian lepers, earning the admiration of President Barack Obama who sent a message hailing Damien's canonisation.
The US president was born in Hawaii, where Damien worked in the leper colony of Molokai, caught leprosy and died in 1889. – (Reuters)
17 missing as ferry sinks in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH – At least 17 people were missing and presumed drowned in Cambodia after an overloaded ferry sank in the Mekong river, officials said yesterday.
The 14 women and three men were travelling to a local Buddhist temple to watch a performance in northeastern Kratie province, about 200km from Phnom Penh, when their ferry sank late on Saturday. – (Reuters)
Young man hanged in Iran for stabbing
TEHRAN – Iran hanged a man yesterday who was under 18 when he stabbed a boy to death, Iranian media said, with one report saying the victim’s parents helped to carry out the execution.
Behnoud Shojaie was put to death in Tehran’s Evin prison a month after the EU urged the Islamic Republic to halt his execution, which had been postponed at least once last year and again in August. – (Reuters)
'Side swipe' secret of conker success
LONDON – A "side swipe" is the secret to success, this year's World Conker Champion said yesterday.
Thomas Gormley (53) said after eight years trying he had changed his technique and walked away with the crown.
Dressed as Scottish sitcom character Rab C Nesbitt, Mr Gormley said he thought the costume had also given him a helping hand. Hopefuls from 18 countries took part in the contest. – (PA)