NEW YORK – The UN Security Council last night announced sanctions against five North Korean organisations and five individuals because of Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities.
Transfer of two weapons-related items to North Korea will also be banned. – (Reuters)
No talks before Mumbai justice
SHARM EL-SHEIKH – India said yesterday formal peace talks with Pakistan could not resume until those behind last year’s Mumbai attacks were brought to justice.
Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh was speaking after talks in Egypt with Pakistani premier Yusuf Raza Gilani, on the sidelines of a Non-Aligned Movement summit. – (Reuters)
Thaksin disputes 1.58bn seizure
BANGKOK – Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has challenged a move to seize 76 billion baht (€1.58 billion) of his family’s assets, which the government claims were raised through abuse of power.
The former telecoms tycoon, whose assets have been frozen since he was ousted as premier in a 2006 military coup, said the government’s case was politically motivated and groundless in a statement submitted to the supreme court. – (Reuters)
One killed as stage collapses
MARSEILLE – A stage being constructed for a Madonna concert collapsed yesterday, killing one person and injuring six, police said.
Technicians had been setting up the stage at the Velodrome stadium ahead of a July 19th concert when it collapsed.– (Reuters)
Call for boost to Europe’s security
WARSAW – Former leaders and officials from ex-communist eastern Europe have appealed to US President Barack Obama to boost US involvement in European security and to resist what they call Russia’s “creeping intimidation”.
In an open letter published on websites yesterday, they urged Mr Obama to show more commitment to Nato’s regional role, to missile defence and to efforts to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian energy. Signatories, included Poland’s Lech Walesa, the Czech Republic’s Vaclav Havel and ex-presidents of Romania, Latvia and Lithuania.
Divorce for singer Amy Winehouse
LONDON – Singer Amy Winehouse (25) ended her two-year marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil (27) when the couple were granted a divorce in London yesterday.
Neither Winehouse nor Fielder-Civil were present for the proceedings at the High Court’s family division. – (PA)