A round-up of today's other world news in brief
German 'spies' in Kosovo released
PRISTINA - A panel of UN judges in Kosovo has released three alleged German spies suspected of throwing an explosive charge at the EU office in Kosovo, a lawyer said.
In a case that has attracted wide attention because of its aura of mystery, the three Germans were allowed to leave a detention centre and then leave the Balkan country.
One of the defence lawyers, Adem Ademi, would not say when they would fly home. - (Reuters)
UN envoy tries to start Congo talks
KINSHASA - A UN special envoy yesterday began a bid to set up peace talks between Congo's government and Tutsi rebels, but the two sides seemed far apart on how to end their conflict.
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo planned to meet President Joseph Kabila on a second mission in two weeks to try to end fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, where thousands of people are still fleeing.
A ceasefire declared by Tutsi rebel Gen Laurent Nkunda has halted battles with government troops, but Gen Nkunda's fighters have been attacking Congolese and Rwandan militia allies of the government. - (Reuters)
Worker killed in Christmas rush
NEW YORK - A US supermarket worker was trampled to death in a rush of shoppers at the start of the traditional Christmas sales yesterday, on the day after Thanksgiving.
The 34-year-old was swept away as long queues poured into the Long Island Walmart as the doors opened at 5am.
Police said a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking him to the ground". Four others were taken to hospital, including a pregnant woman.
Retailers extended their hours, some opening at midnight, and offered deals that promised to be deeper and wider than the discounts that shoppers found throughout November.
But across the country it was clear that, despite the crowds that showed up for the discounts, shoppers' worries about the US economy - massive layoffs, tightening credit and dwindling retirement accounts - affected buying. - (Reuters)
Four killed in ethnic clashes
LAGOS - Authorities imposed a night-time curfew on the central Nigerian city of Jos last night and soldiers were deployed on the streets after at least four people died in ethnic-religious clashes over a local election.
Residents said soldiers had deployed on the streets of the city, where clashes had broken out in the past between the Muslim and Christian communities, and that several churches and mosques had been burned. - (Reuters)