Other world news in brief
Karzai claims US-led attack killed civilians
• KABUL- Afghan president Hamid Karzai yesterday condemned a US-led coalition military operation that his office said killed 17 civilians, including women and children.
The US military said only militants had been killed in the operation, which it said was aimed at the Talibans roadside bomb network in the eastern Laghman province.
In a separate incident three civilians were killed and nine others injured by a suicide bomb attack that targeted a Nato-led convoy in the Maywand district of Kandahar province, the district police chief said. - (Reuters)
US navy launches anti-piracy force
• DUBAI- The US navy will launch a force to combat piracy in the waters off Somalia as foreign navies try to stem a sharp rise in attacks in the region which threaten key oil shipping lanes, the US navy has said.
The new anti-piracy force would start in mid-January and be an offshoot of the US-led coalition of naval forces which has been operational in the region since 2001. - (Reuters)
Earthquake rocks Costa Rica
• SAN JOSE- A strong earthquake struck Costa Rica yesterday shaking buildings and causing minor damage in the capital. The magnitude 6.2 quake occurred some 35km (22 miles) from San Jose, the US Geological Survey said.
Residents of the capital reported pieces of ceiling falling but there were no immediate reports of casualties. - (Reuters)
Angola alert over deadly virus
• LUANDA- Angola has increased border restrictions with the Democratic Republic of Congo where an outbreak of the highly contagious and deadly Ebola virus is believed to have infected 40 people and killed 13.
State-owned daily Jornal de Angola said yesterday migratory movements between part of Angolas eastern province of Moxico and the DRC were suspended. - (Reuters)
Outspoken editor shot dead
• COLOMBO- A gunman shot and killed the outspoken editor of a newspaper that often clashed with politicians in the second assault on the media on the Indian Ocean island in three days.
Sunday Leader chief editor Lasantha Wickramatunga was shot while sitting in a car stuck in rush-hour traffic. The Sunday Leader has been locked in court battles with many politicians over corruption, including the president's brother, defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. - (Reuters)
Court orders torture inquiry
• HARARE- A Zimbabwean court yesterday ordered an investigation into allegations of torture brought against the police by opposition activists charged with plotting to topple President Robert Mugabe. The seven are charged with plotting insurrection, sabotage and terrorism. - (Reuters)