In Short

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

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

Rehnquist's death leaves court vacancy

United States: President George Bush yesterday called the late US Chief Justice William Rehnquist a man of "character and dedication" and said he would work swiftly to fill the two openings at the Supreme Court.

"It will serve the best interest of the nation to fill those vacancies promptly," Mr Bush said in a brief message in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

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Mr Rehnquist died at home on Saturday after a long battle with cancer, an event that gives Mr Bush the rare opportunity to name a second justice to the Supreme Court. - (AP)

Oil spillage after tug runs aground

Shetland - A man is expected to appear in court after a tug ran aground and leaked 200 tonnes of diesel oil into the north Atlantic ocean around Shetland.

Thirteen crewmen had to be airlifted off the coast guard towing vessel Anglian Sovereign when it got into difficulty in gale force winds on Saturday night.

Pollution booms have been set up around the damaged boat, which later limped into harbour. - (PA)

N Korea criticises South's war games

Pyongyang - North Korea criticised the South yesterday for conducting war games with the US and said the two allies would be held responsible for problems that may affect six-country nuclear talks.

South Korea and the US annually assess defence readiness in computer-simulated drills .

"The South Korean authorities will together with the United States be held entirely responsible for the adverse effects the invasion exercises against the North will have on the progress of the six-party talks and on North-South relations," the KCNA news agency said. - (Reuters)