A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
EU envoys say up to 600 killed in Congo
KINSHASA- Up to 600 people were killed last week in fighting between the army and a former rebel leader's forces that "seriously wounded" Congo's young democracy, European Union ambassadors said.
Fighting erupted in Kinshasa last Thursday after troops loyal to former presidential candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba refused an order to disarm. Clashes continued for two days before Mr Bemba's forces were routed.
"There are fairly clear indications coming from the hospitals and morgues that are giving the number [ of dead] at between 200 and 600," German ambassador Karl-Albrecht Wokalek said. - (Reuters)
Egyptian ballot fixed, say groups
CAIRO- The Egyptian government yesterday said it had won 75.9 per cent approval for changes to the constitution in a referendum that opponents and human rights groups say was fixed. Justice minister Mamdouh Mara'i said turnout for the voting on Monday was 27.1 per cent.
Opposition groups boycotted the vote in protest and human rights groups said the real turnout was much lower. The independent Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights estimated that 5 per cent of registered voters took part. - (Reuters)
Snoop Dogg refused UK entry
LONDON- The US rapper Snoop Dogg has been denied entry into the UK, prompting the cancellation of this week's joint tour with fellow musician P Diddy.
The pair had to scrap yesterday's performance at London's Wembley Arena and a string of gigs in Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham this week, scheduled as part of their European tour.- (Guardian service)
Police arrest 33 in child porn sting
WARSAW- Polish police have detained 33 people in a sting operation against suspected users and dealers of internet child pornography, officials said yesterday.
Police can detain the suspects for 48 hours after which they have to formally charge them. Interior ministry spokesman Michal Rachon said a nationwide operation on Monday involving 360 police, seized 2,400 disks and 51 computers containing 1,000 gigabytes of child pornography. - (Reuters)
Buena Vista star dies of cancer
HAVANA- Cuban musician Faustino Oramas, adored for his saucy ballads and one of the last remaining stars behind the acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club compact disc, died yesterday age 95, Cuban state radio said.
He was nicknamed "El Guayabero" after a town that inspired him to write a song after he got into trouble there for flirting with a married woman. He died of liver cancer. - (Reuters)