A round-up of other world news in brief
Greek police use tear gas on demonstrators
ATHENS – Greek police used tear gas yesterday to disperse a small group of rioters who broke away from an anti-austerity rally in central Athens, police said.
About 1,500 people marched on parliament, holding banners reading, “We won’t pay for the crisis.”
A group of some 30 people hurled stones and bottles at police, who responded with tear gas. – (Reuters)
'Chubby' Brown cleared of assault
MIDDLESBROUGH – British comedian Roy “Chubby” Brown was yesterday cleared of hitting a 21-year-old woman in the face during a row in a supermarket car park.
Brown (65), charged under his real name of Royston Vasey, was accused of punching Kelly Oliver after a dispute which arose while he was parking his Lexus. – (PA)
Top Tory loses expenses appeal
LONDON – British shadow defence secretary Liam Fox yesterday lost his appeal against a ruling he should repay more than £22,000 in parliamentary allowances for mortgage interest on his second home. Dr Fox was one of five MPs and ex-MPs whose appeals were dismissed in a report by former High Court judge Sir Paul Kennedy. – (PA)
Kidnapped British boy is released
JHELUM – A British boy kidnapped nearly two weeks ago while on vacation in Pakistan was freed unharmed by his abductors yesterday after a ransom was paid, officials said, ending a high-profile ordeal.
Provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah said an “international gang of kidnappers” was responsible for the abduction of Sahil Saeed, who is from Oldham in northern England. – (Reuters)