A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Peace talks in Sudan stall as war looms
KHARTOUM - Peace talks in Sudan between Somalia's government and Islamists were postponed yesterday after both sides failed to meet face-to-face in a blow to hopes of averting war in the Horn of Africa nation.
"There is a need for further consultation on both substantive and procedural issues to move the dialogue forward," said a statement from mediators including the Arab League, the European Union and the African Union.
It called for restraint by both sides and said the international community was committed "to continue assisting the Somali parties in sustaining their talks in Khartoum as soon as possible upon consultation with all the parties". - (Reuters)
Man jailed over fatal arson attack
LONDON - A 31-year-old man was jailed for a minimum of 35 years yesterday for the murder of three children and their stepfather in an arson attack on their home in Staffordshire, central England.
Mark Goldstraw had denied any involvement in the fire that killed his ex-girlfriend Samantha Carter (16), her sister Patricia (10), brother Marcus (7) and their stepfather, Roddy Hine (44). The four died after an explosion set fire to their home in Cheddleton, near Leek, shortly before midnight on March 9th this year. - (Reuters)
Judge throws out bomb plot charges
LONDON - Two brothers charged with failing to disclose information about a suspected plot to bomb US-bound airlines in August walked free from court yesterday when a judge threw out the charges.
Mehran and Umair Hussain were originally charged with failing to tell police that their brother Nabeel, who has been charged with conspiracy to murder and plotting terrorism, was involved in the suspected plot. - (Reuters)
Moscow 'cannot' back Iran measure
MOSCOW - Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday that Moscow would not support a draft United Nations sanctions resolution on Iran proposed by European states.
"We cannot support those measures which in fact aim to isolate Iran from the outside world, including the isolation of the people who are charged with leading negotiations on the nuclear programme," Lavrov was quoted as saying. - (Reuters)
Oil rig adrift off Norwegian coast
OSLO - An oil rig with 75 people on board is adrift off the coast of Norway after it became separated from a tug boat in severe weather.
The oil rig, managed by British company Dolphin Drilling, was being towed to Poland for upgrades when the tug boat line was lost yesterday afternoon. Poor weather prevented helicopters rescuing personnel. - (PA)