Today's other world news stories in brief
Israel allows food and fuel into Gaza Strip
GAZA - Israel reopened its border crossings with the Hamas-run Gaza Strip yesterday, allowing in limited amounts of food and fuel.
It was the third time Israel had opened the crossings since November 4th, when a deadly army raid into the coastal territory triggered a surge in rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
The violence has threatened a five-month-old truce along the Israel-Gaza frontier.
In addition to truckloads of food, Israel opened the crossings to gas for cooking and fuel for Gaza's sole power plant.
Palestinian officials said the quantities were too small to alleviate the shortages. - (Reuters)
Greenland votes for autonomy
The inhabitants of the world's largest island turned out yesterday in winter darkness to cast their vote for what many believe is the first step towards independence.
The people of Greenland voted overwhelmingly for increased autonomy from Denmark - a move that will see the 56,000-strong population take greater control over the island's potentially huge natural resources and mean Greenlandic becomes the official language.
According to the island's election commission, 76 per cent of voters supported the referendum, which outlined a new system for sharing future oil revenues with Denmark and gave locals control over the courts, the police and the coastguard. - (Guardian service)
UN appeal for Zimbabwe aid
UNITED NATIONS - The UN yesterday appealed to rich countries to be generous in funding a $550 million appeal for aid for crisis-stricken Zimbabwe, assuring donors the assistance would get through.
The appeal, part of a record $7 billion worldwide humanitarian appeal for 2009 announced in Geneva last week, is the highest ever for Zimbabwe and compares with just under $400 million sought a year ago.
A chronic economic crisis, including hyperinflation, has led to what UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called a "desperate" situation in the southern African country.
Zimbabwe is also paralysed politically, with rival parties so far unable to agree on the make-up of a unity government despite months of talks. - (Reuters)
Man who signed U2 dies of cancer
LONDON - The music PR who got U2 their first record deal died today after a two-year battle with cancer.
Rob Partridge signed the band to Island records in 1980 when they were unknowns struggling for recognition.
He twice won the Music Week PR of the Year Award - in 1985 and 1987 - for his work on behalf of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine.
Mr Partridge left Island in 1990 to set up his own public relations agency.
He remained the band's publicist for many years and remained a friend of frontman Bono. - (PA)