A round-up of other world news in brief
Eight US civilians killed in Afghanistan
KABUL – Eight US civilians have been killed in a suicide attack on a military base in Afghanistan’s southeastern Khost province.
“We can confirm that there was an explosion in Khost province and eight Americans have been killed,” a US official in Kabul said.
No US or Nato troops were injured in yesterday’s blast at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost province, according to a US defence official. Attacks in Afghanistan this year have spiralled to their highest levels since the Taliban were overthrown by US-backed Afghan forces in late 2001.
Washington is sending 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan in an attempt to stem the mounting violence, with Nato allies also contributing thousands more. – (Reuters)
British hostage released in Iraq
BAGHDAD/LONDON – British computer programmer Peter Moore was released yesterday, 2½ years after being taken hostage by militants in Baghdad.
“He is alive and in good health,” Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said. Mr Moore was handed to Iraqi authorities and then to the British embassy.
Mr Moore was working on contract in Baghdad when he was captured with four of his bodyguards from Iraq’s finance ministry in 2007 at the height of sectarian bloodshed.
The bodies of three of the bodyguards have since been handed to British authorities.
The fate of the fourth, Alan McMenemy, is unconfirmed, but British officials believe he is dead.
It has been one of the longest hostage crises involving Britons since several were held captive in Lebanon in the 1980s. – (Reuters)
Woman dies after triple shooting
LONDON – A woman who was seriously injured in a shooting that killed her estranged partner and their young daughter has died in hospital.
Media reports said Andy Copland (56) shot Julie Harrison (40) and four-year- old Maisie at their house in Hampshire on Tuesday morning before turning the gun on himself.
The couple had separated about four weeks ago.
Hampshire police say they are not looking for anyone else over the attack.
Officers had been called to the terraced house by neighbours. Inside they found all three victims and a firearm. Maisie died shortly after their arrival and Ms Harrison, who had suffered serious injuries, was taken to hospital in London. – (Reuters)
Nurse charged with murdering elderly
HELSINKI – A Finnish nurse has been charged with murdering five of her elderly patients with lethal drug overdoses and of trying to kill six others.
“The deeds are suspected to have happened in hospitals, hospices and private homes between 2004 and 2009,” prosecutors said in a statement. The 59-year- old woman, who has been in custody since spring, has denied all charges.
According to Finnish media, the nurse was convicted earlier this year of stealing jewellery from one of her patients, and last year was convicted for starting a fire in a hospital lift.
She faces two additional charges of aggravated assault, plus theft and drugs offences, prosecutors said. – (Reuters)