A round-up of today's other world news in brief
319 more held over ethnic Xinjiang riots
BEIJING – Chinese police have detained 319 people suspected of involvement in deadly ethnic rioting in northwestern Xinjiang region last month, after a “wanted” list of suspects spurred tip-offs, the official Xinhua agency has said.
The report, which cited local security officials, did not give an overall total for the number of people now being held in connection with the riots. Officials have previously said more than 1,500 had been detained. None has been publicly charged or released. – (Reuters)
US pilot identified after 18 years
WASHINGTON – The remains of a US navy pilot have been found and positively identified, more than 18 years after he was shot down over Iraq.
The Pentagon’s announcement resolved questions about the fate of Capt Michael Scott Speicher, who some believed had survived his shoot-down and been taken prisoner by Iraq.
Capt Speicher’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter was shot down over west-central Iraq on January 17th, 1991, the first night of the first Gulf War, which eventually drove Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. – (Reuters)
Israel eases travel restrictions
WEST BANK – Israel has eased travel restrictions on Palestinians in a major West Bank city, opening a road to Palestinian traffic for the first time in nine years, Israeli security officials say.
The officials said the route – known to Palestinians as Jaber Road and to Israelis as Tsir Hebron – would be open only to Palestinian motorists who live in the Hebron area.
Hebron governor Hussein al-Araj said the measure was an attempt by Israel to cover up for its continued settlement activities and called on Palestinians not to use the road. – (Reuters)
175 evacuated from BA flight
BARCELONA – More than 175 passengers were evacuated from a British Airways (BA) flight to Spain yesterday. The passengers escaped down emergency chutes following reports of fumes in the Boeing 757’s cabin shortly after landing in Barcelona at about 9.45am local time. – (PA)
SPD says it can cut Merkel’s lead
BERLIN – Germany’s Social Democrats have enough time to cut the 12- point lead of chancellor Angela Merkel in opinion polls by next month’s election and are already close to blocking a centre- right coalition, according to an SPD leader.
Deputy SPD leader Andrea Nahles said the centre-left party had overcome similarly large gaps in the previous two elections in 2002 and 2005 with late rallies. – (Reuters)