ALGERIA: Algerian security forces have killed 40 suspected Islamist rebels in clashes in a mountainous province 300 km west of the capital Algiers.
The guerrillas belonged to a small conservative group known as Humat Adaawa, al- Khabar newspaper reported. Other daily papers said government forces used heavy weaponry and air strikes to destroy rebel hideouts in the province of Relizane.
Last Tuesday, newspapers said security forces had killed 15 members of the radical Islamist Armed Group, including its new leader Rachid Abu Tourab. - (Reuters)
Glaswegians urged to boil their water
GLASGOW - 140,000 people have been reminded to continue to boil all tap water in their homes for drinking, brushing teeth and preparing food, after the parasite cryptosporidium was found in supplies. The parasite, which routinely causes severe diarrhoea, was discovered during routine testing of Glasgow's water supplies.
Scottish Water said it was safe to use water for washing and domestic tasks, but stressed that babies should not be bathed in it. - (PA)
Three Britons charged in Egypt
CAIRO - Egyptian prosecutors have formally charged three Britons and 23 Egyptians with membership of an outlawed Islamist group,the Islamic Liberation Party, and ordered them to stand trial in an emergency court. They are also accused of trying to reactivate such an illegal group and participating in a group that works against the state of Egypt. - (AFP)
Man who chased thieves injured
DERBY - A man was seriously injured by a car yesterday as he chased two youths who had stolen his partner's handbag. The 42- year-old chased the youths on to the dual carriageway in Derby after they had taken a handbag from his parked car. The youths, who were riding bicycles, fled on to the busy road. - (PA)
Becker strikes deal on German taxes
BERLIN - Former tennis champion Boris Becker has avoided the prospect of spending time behind bars by reaching agreement with the German judiciary on millions of euros of tax he allegedly evaded paying when he was at the height of his career.
He will pay a hefty price for the deal worked out between his lawyers and a state prosecutor: €6.5 million, including interest, according to today's edition of the magazine Spiegel, plus two years probation. He will thus avoid a lengthy court case and a possible jail term of up to two years. - (Guardian service)
Action against smoking cigarettes
ROME - The Italian health minister has come up with a novel way of combating nicotine addiction: a warning flashing up as a subtitle when an actor lights a cigarette. According to the proposal floated this week, Humphrey Bogart's smoky mystique in Casablanca could be undercut by: "Warning, this is pro-smoking propaganda".
Researchers estimate that a cigarette appears on TV screens every seven minutes during prime-time programming aimed at the young. - (Guardian service)