A round-up of other world stories in brief...
One of al-Qaeda leaders killed in strike, says US
ISLAMABAD - The head of al-Qaeda's operations in Pakistan has been killed by a US air strike in South Waziristan, close to the Pakistani border with Afghanistan, a US counter-terrorism official said.
Usama al-Kini was believed to be responsible for attacks including the bombing of a Marriott hotel in Islamabad that killed 55 people in September, and an unsuccessful attempt to kill the former Pakistaniprime minister, Benazir Bhutto, who was later assassinated, the official added.- (Guardian service)
Pop star Dave Dee (67) dies
LONDON - Sixties British pop star Dave Dee has died aged 67 after a long battle with cancer.
The former policeman was the lead singer with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich and enjoyed a string of chart hits including The Legend of Xanadu, Bend It, and Save Me. - (Reuters)
Tory apologises to McCanns
LONDON - A leading Tory youth activist apologised "unreservedly" to Kate and Gerry McCann last night after dressing up as their missing daughter at a New Year's party.
Conservative Future member Matthew Lewis was criticised by the family after bragging about the stunt on his Facebook site. - (PA)
Tamil Tigers suffer defeat
COLOMBO - Sri Lankan troops yesterday inflicted a second major defeat in a week on the Tamil Tigers, capturing the strategic Elephant Pass, and are now preparing to attack the separatists' last stronghold, the president said. - (Reuters)
Quake death toll reaches 13
SAN JOSÉ - The death toll from a strong earthquake in Costa Rica rose to 13 yesterday and officials feared more bodies would be found in the rubble of a major landslide near a popular tourist site.
Ten victims were buried when Thursday's quake triggered a landslide at the scenic La Paz waterfall on the flanks of the Poas Volcano, Red Cross spokesman Luis Guzmán said.
It was not clear if the dead included foreigners. - (Reuters)