A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Green Party to remain neutral in Brazil runoff
SAO PAULO - Brazil's Green Party opted yesterday to remain neutral in the country's October 31st presidential runoff, saying the move could help members gain leverage and participate in the nation's political debate more actively.
Marina Silva, a former environment minister, said at a party convention in Sao Paulo that not aligning herself with any candidate allows her to serve as a "moderator" in the national politics.
The renowned Amazon defender, who campaigned on a platform of ethics over back-room politics, finished a strong third in the first round of voting on October 3rd and was credited with forcing the race to a runoff. - (Reuters)
12 die in Baghdad gold shops robbery
BAGHDAD- At least 12 people died when gunmen swooped on a row of goldsmiths' shops in a brazen robbery in the Iraqi capital yesterday and ended up in a gunfight with security forces, police and military sources said.
The gunmen used hand grenades and small arms to kill three shop owners in a market in the Mansour district of western Baghdad, an interior ministry source said. When the attackers fled the shops they were met by soldiers and police. Two gunmen, two police officers, a soldier and four civilians died in the shoot-out. - (Reuters)