In Short

A roundup of today's other stories in brief:

A roundup of today's other stories in brief:

Kennedy to get treatment at Mayo Clinic

WASHINGTON - Congressman Patrick Kennedy, son of Edward Kennedy, yesterday announced he will seek treatment for a substance abuse problem.

"I have been fighting this chronic disease since a young man," Mr Kennedy said, adding that he will return to the Mayo Clinic.

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The announcement came shortly after police reported that Mr Kennedy was charged with "failure to give full time and attention" and "failure to keep in proper lane" after he crashed his car on Thursday night into a barrier near the Capitol. The report made no mention of possible alcohol consumption.

- (Reuters)

East Timor seeks further policing

UNITED NATIONS - East Timor urged the UN yesterday to keep international police officers in the country for another year after deadly riots in the capital Dili.

Foreign minister José Ramos-Horta told the Security Council that they would need a company of international police at least, because of "the volatility and fragility of the situation" with presidential and parliamentary elections due to be held by next May. A company is typically 75 to 150 police.

- (Reuters)

Former president widens poll lead

LIMA - Former Peruvian president Alan Garcia apparently widened his lead against nationalist former army commander Ollanta Humala ahead of a June 4th presidential run-off vote, helped by perceived Venezuelan meddling in the race, a pollster said yesterday. The Datum poll showed the centre-left Mr Garcia with 56 per cent support compared to 44 per cent for Mr Humala, who is considered as farther to the left.

- (Reuters)

Five Palestinians killed in air strike

GAZA - An Israeli air strike killed five Palestinian militants yesterday at a training camp used by militants in the Gaza Strip, further dampening peace prospects in the region.

The Israeli military said they were targeting a camp used by an umbrella group of militants, the Popular Resistance Committees.

- (Reuters)