In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

'Baby Doc' charged with corruption 

A Haitian prosecutor has formally charged former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier with corruption, theft, misappropriation of funds and other alleged crimes committed during his 1971-1986 rule.

The charges must now be investigated by the judge who will decide whether a judicial case should go ahead.

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The former ruler, who is accused by human rights groups of being responsible for the killing and torture of opponents during his 15 years in power, fled Haiti in 1986 to escape a popular uprising.

Duvalier returned unexpectedly after inconclusive November 28th elections.

7.2 magnitude quake hits Pakistan

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southwest Pakistan last night, the US Geological Survey said.

The agency revised an initial estimate that the quake was very shallow and said it probably centred at a depth of 52 miles (83 km), 34 miles (55km) west of Dalbandin, a town of about 15,000 people.

First reports from the region, close to the troubled Afghan frontier, suggested injuries may have been limited, not least given the sparse population. – (Reuters)

Gay couple win landmark case

Devout Christian hotel owners who refused to allow a gay couple share a double room acted unlawfully, a judge in Bristol ruled yesterday.

Civil partners Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy won their landmark discrimination claim in a case backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The judge said the defendants’ rights “can be limited to protect the . . . freedoms of the claimants”.