Today's other world stories in brief
Farc set to free hostages on Sunday
BOGOTA – Colombian rebels plan to free on Sunday some of the six hostages they have pledged to release, Senator Piedad Cordoba, who has been co-ordinating the operation, said yesterday.
Farc offered in December to free two local politicians and four members of the security forces, and negotiators have been organising the release since then. – (Reuters)
3,000 Zimbabwe cholera deaths
GENEVA – Zimbabwe’s cholera outbreak has killed over 3,000 people and infected more than 57,000 Zimbabweans, the World Health Organisation said yesterday.
WHO figures released yesterday showed an increase of 57 deaths and 1,579 new infections since Tuesday. – (Reuters)
Extortion against Travolta claimed
NASSAU – A Bahamian paramedic pleaded not guilty and was held without bail on Monday on charges he conspired to extort $25 million (€19 million) from John Travolta after the actor’s son died in the Bahamas this month.
Prosecutors allege paramedic Tarino Lightbourne (47) tried to extort money from Travolta by means of threats.
– (Reuters)
Lawyer’s fraud on disabled alleged
NEW YORK – A New York lawyer appointed to oversee the assets of incapacitated clients, including children with cerebral palsy, pocketed $4 million (€3 million) for his own use, the Manhattan district attorney’s office alleged.
Steven Rondos (44) and his law firm, Raia and Rondos, are charged with money laundering, grand larceny and scheming to defraud. He is accused of defrauding 23 incapacitated clients plus the estate of one dead person.
Mr Rondos was appointed by New York judges to manage and distribute monetary settlements for clients with cerebral palsy and to manage money for elderly clients with mental or physical impairments.
– (Reuters)
Jackson sued over ‘Thriller’
NEW YORK – A day after plans for a Thriller musical were announced, it has emerged that Michael Jackson is being sued by the original director of the classic 1980s video.
Legal papers filed on behalf of John Landis claim that Jackson withheld profits from him and that the star is guilty of "fraudulent, malicious and oppressive" conduct. – (Reuters)