A round-up of today's other stories in brief
40 die in stampede for food coupons
MADRAS - At least 40 people, mostly women, were killed and more than 50 injured in a stampede for food coupons at an aid shelter in Madras yesterday. Almost 3,000 people affected by recent floods had lined up from dawn in a narrow alley leading to a school in the Indian city to collect vouchers.
Some reports suggested a downpour had prompted the stampede, while others claimed the accident was triggered by a rumour it was the last day for coupons. - (Guardian Service)
Swiss hospital to assist suicide
LAUSANNE - A university hospital in Switzerland yesterday became the first in Europe to allow assisted suicide on its premises. The university of Lausanne said it would allow patients from new year's day to kill themselves on its wards, provided they were incurably ill and of sound mind. Assisted suicide is already legal in Switzerland, though euthanasia is not. - (Guardian Service)
Fate of Moore sculpture feared
LONDON - Police fear thieves who hoisted a two-tonne Henry Moore sculpture on to a truck may try to sell it for scrap for a fraction of its real value - £3m (€4.43m). - (Reuters)