A round-up of today's other stories in brief
De Villepin may change jobs contract
POISSY - French prime minister Dominique de Villepin has told jobless people that he is ready to improve his contested youth employment contract, but he has refused to bow to street protests and a threat of a national strike.
The prime minister, battered in the polls and facing a stern test of his ambition to contest 2007 presidential elections, repeated his call yesterday for unions and employers to work with him on how best to implement - not abandon - the measure. - (Reuters)
Russia, China agree energy deal
BEIJING - Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Hu Jintao have agreed to increase energy co-operation, as Russian gas giant Gazprom said it would look to meet some of China's frustrated energy needs.
Mr Putin, who has made energy security the theme of Russia's presidency of the G8, said in November that diversifying energy export routes was a top priority, with supplies to Asia of paramount importance. - (Reuters)
Israeli forces foil van bomb attack
JERUSALEM - Israeli security forces pulled over a van on the main highway from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv yesterday and discovered a bomb inside. Ten Palestinians were arrested, a police spokesman said.
Israel has been on high alert for possible Palestinian suicide bombings as its March 28th general election approaches. - (Reuters)
Skakel murder appeal denied
BOSTON - Connecticut's highest court says it has denied a request by Kennedy relative Michael Skakel (45) to reconsider an appeal of his conviction for the 1975 murder of his 15-year-old neighbour Martha Moxley.
Skakel was convicted in 2002 of bludgeoning Ms Moxley to death and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Skakel was 15 at the time of the killing. - (Reuters)
Old Bailey told of al-Qaeda plots
LONDON - A terrorist cell allegedly linked to al-Qaeda planned to blow up pubs, nightclubs and trains in a bombing campaign in Britain, the Old Bailey heard yesterday. Some of the seven-strong gang, all British citizens, had trained at terror camps in Pakistan where they hatched the plot after practising causing explosions with ammonium nitrate and aluminium powder, it was alleged. - (PA)
Anglican priest quits over cartoon
LONDON - A senior Anglican priest has resigned as editor of a Welsh- language church magazine after publishing a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.
Meurig Llwyd Williams, archdeacon of Bangor, included the drawing, reprinted from the French newspaper Le Soir, in Y Llan, which has a circulation of 400. It showed Muhammad sitting on a heavenly cloud with God and Buddha and being told: "Don't complain - we've all been caricatured here." - (Guardian service)
Russian woman survives 35m fall
MOSCOW - A Russian woman fell 35 metres (114 ft) from the 11th floor of her apartment building and survived, according to Russia's Channel One television. The woman (21), who was not named, is in hospital being treated for concussion, bruises and a displaced spine. Doctors say she should make a full recovery. - (Reuters)
Italy makes hit squad arrests
ROME - Italian police say they have arrested nine members of a hit squad accused of the election-day killing of a senior regional government official last October. Among those held were the suspected gunman and the driver of his getaway car. - (Reuters)