A round-up of other world news in brief
Leftist leader likely to win Romanian poll
BUCHAREST – Romanian left-wing leader Mircea Geoana is likely to defeat incumbent president Traian Basescu in a presidential run-off vote on Sunday, the second opinion poll in a week showed yesterday.
Mr Geoana came in a close second in the November 22nd first round, but he has leapt ahead of Mr Basescu after winning support from the opposition Liberals and pledging to form a coalition government with them by Christmas if he wins. The poll showed him scoring 54 per cent versus 46 per cent for Mr Basescu. – (Reuters)
DRC court upholds death sentences
KINSHASA – A military appeal court in the Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday upheld death sentences against two Norwegians convicted of murder and espionage and ordered them and their government to pay more than $500 million (€331 million) in damages, the judge said.
The accused, Joshua French (27) and Tjostolv Moland (28), were sentenced to death in September for murder, espionage and arms smuggling after their driver was found shot dead near the city of Kisangani. – (Reuters)
Somali pirates free German ship
LONDON – The German- owned cargo ship Charelle, hijacked by Somali pirates near Oman in June, has been released, the EU naval force said yesterday.
The crew of 10 aboard the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged ship, including seven Sri Lankans and three Filipinos, were also freed.
“The gunmen have left it to the crew. A ransom was paid out but we are not sure how much,” said Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Programme. – (Reuters)