Other world news in brief
Somali gunmen free aid workers without ransom
MOGADISHU – Somali gunmen have freed two European aid workers without receiving a ransom, after holding them hostage for nine days in one of the world’s most dangerous places for relief agencies.
Attacks on humanitarian staff in the Horn of Africa country have cut their ability to help in one of the world’s worst emergencies.
Gunmen seized a Belgian doctor and Dutch nurse working for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on April 19th in the central region of Bakol where they had been carrying out a nutrition study. – (Reuters)
Obama says NY jet stunt a ‘mistake’
New York – US president Barack Obama yesterday described as a “mistake” a photo-opportunity staged by the White House in which a low- flying aircraft skimmed New York’s skyline, evoking memories of the 9/11 attack.
The jet, which serves as Air Force One when the president is on board, spent half an hour circling the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s financial district yesterday morning, leading to concerned office workers evacuating buildings.
Mr Obama, who was unaware of the stunt until after the incident, said it would not happen again.
White House sources indicated he was “furious” on learning of the photo-opportunity. The idea behind it was to capture the Boeing 747 with a landmark in the background, in this case the Statue of Liberty. – (PA)
30-year term for drug lord’s brother
MIAMI – A US court has sentenced the brother of jailed Colombian drug lord Diego Montoya to 30 years in prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the US.
Eugenio Montoya Sánchez was a high-ranking member of the Norte del Valle cocaine cartel and was responsible for managing its finances, including maintaining cartel stash houses to store the cash proceeds of drug deals, prosecutors said.
He was arrested in 2007 by Colombian authorities and extradited to Florida. – (Reuters)
No deal in EU talks to cap working week
BRUSSELS – A final round of talks on capping the working week in the EU failed to reach agreement, dashing prospects of a reform that could end the culture of long working hours.
The EU’s Czech presidency and the European Parliament failed to agree on details of the legislation, which would have ended opt-outs that 15 EU members have from the bloc’s 48-hour weekly limit. – (Reuters)
Albania applies to join EU
PRAGUE – Albania formally applied yesterday to join the EU, Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek, whose country holds the EU presidency, said after meeting Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha.
It follows Montenegro, which applied in December. – (Reuters)
Blow for Brown in expenses row
LONDON – British prime minister Gordon Brown has been dealt a major blow over MPs’ expenses last night as a Commons watchdog sought to derail his attempts to drive through reforms this week.
The standards and privileges committee urged MPs to postpone decisions until after the completion of an independent review, which is due to take several months. – (PA)