Today's other stories in brief
Bush signals missile shield to go ahead
GDANSK- US president George Bush thanked Poland yesterday for being ready to host the US missile shield and sent a clear signal he would not scrap the plan in the face of an alternative offer from Russia.
Mr Bush, making a whistle-stop visit to Poland after attending the Group of Eight meeting in Germany, met Polish president Lech Kaczynski to discuss missile defence and Russia's vehement opposition to its positioning in Moscow's former backyard in central Europe.
"First let me say I appreciate the support for the deployment of the missile defence interceptors here in Poland," Mr Bush told a joint briefing with Mr Kaczynski.
"We will negotiate a fair agreement that enhances the security of Poland and the security of the entire continent against rogue regimes who might be willing to try to blackmail free nations." - (Reuters)
Israeli troops kill Palestinian youth
HEBRON - Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian youth and wounded another near the occupied West Bank town of Hebron yesterday.
Residents said the two were out hunting near a village in the southern part of the West Bank. They were not known to be connected to any militant groups. - (Reuters)
Early retirement for top US officer
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said yesterday it would not renominate Gen Peter Pace as the top US military officer, avoiding a contentious debate with the Democratic-led Congress over the unpopular Iraq war.
Instead, US defence secretary Robert Gates nominated Adm Mike Mullen, the current head of the navy, to take over from Gen Pace when his two-year term expires at the end of September.
Mr Gates paid tribute to Gen Pace but said after consulting with Republican and Democratic senators, he had come to believe the general would face a bruising reconfirmation hearing. - (Reuters)
Zhukov's son jailed for assault
LONDON - Petr Zhukov, the son of powerful Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Zhukov, was sentenced on Friday to 14 months in jail for grievous bodily harm, a spokeswoman for Southwark crown court said.
His friend, Artjom Dashko, was sentenced to 12 months in jail for the same offence. The crown prosecution service said the incident, which could end in deportation for the pair after they have completed their sentences, was a drunken attack on investment banker Ben Ramsey last year which left the victim needing hospital treatment. - (Reuters)
Driving ban for George Michael
LONDON - Singer George Michael was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and banned from driving for two years yesterday for driving while unfit.
The star told a judge he was "ashamed" of putting other people at risk after being found slumped, drooling and sweating, at the wheel of his Mercedes at a junction in north London in October. - (Reuters)