A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Hamas visit wrong, Israel tells Putin
MOSCOW - Russian president Vladimir Putin called US and Israeli leaders yesterday to brief them on a visit to Russia by Hamas - but he was told by Israel that he had made a mistake in inviting the Islamist militant group to Moscow.
Mr Olmert's office said Mr Putin stressed the importance of negotiations with Hamas, despite its refusal to recognise Israel or disband its armed wing. - (Reuters)
Boy (14) charged over child murder
MANCHESTER - A 14-year-old boy will appear in court today accused of the murder of 11-year-old Joe Geeling, whose body was found hidden in a park with multiple stab wounds.
Police charged the 14-year-old on Saturday, following his arrest on Thursday, an hour after Joe's body was found in a park in Bury, Greater Manchester. Joe, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, disappeared after leaving for home from his school on Wednesday. - (Reuters)
Benin presidential poll contested
COTONOU - Benin voted yesterday for a successor to President Mathieu Kerekou, in power for all but five of the past 33 years, but the former military ruler said the poll would not be transparent after claims of vote-rigging.
Some candidates say electoral officials have undermined checks and balances intended to fight fraud. - (Reuters)
Egypt arrests opposition figures
CAIRO - Egyptian security forces arrested five members of the Muslim Brotherhood yesterday in what the opposition Islamist group said was the latest sign of curbs on political freedoms.
An interior ministry official said the men were in possession of anti- government publications. - (Reuters)
Canadian soldier dies of injuries
KABUL - A second Canadian soldier has died of injuries received when an armoured vehicle overturned in southern Afghanistan, and another is in serious condition after an axe attack during a meeting with tribal elders. - (Reuters)
ANC councillor shot dead
JOHANNESBURG - A newly elected councillor for South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) was shot dead late on Saturday in what police said could be a politically motivated killing after last week's local government polls. - (Reuters)
Shop changes stance on pill
WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has reversed its opposition to the morning-after pill and agreed to sell it in 3,700 pharmacies. - (Guardian service)
Inquiry into footballer's killing
WASHINGTON - The US army has opened a criminal investigation into the killing of the NFL football star Pat Tillman, two years after telling his family he had died a hero's death in the Afghan war.
It took a year for the Pentagon to admit the former Arizona Cardinals footballer had been fatally shot by fellow Americans and not by enemy fire as originally claimed. - (Guardian service)