A round up of today's other stories in brief
Junta invites UN envoy to visit Burma
UNITED NATIONS - The UN said yesterday that Burma has invited a UN envoy to visit the cyclone-ravaged country, which is facing renewed international pressure to democratise and improve its human rights record.
The invitation was extended to UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon's special representative on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari.
A spokeswoman said the precise date and objectives of Mr Gambari's visit had not been set but that he was expected to go to Burma in mid-August. - (Reuters)
Spain ratifies Lisbon Treaty
MADRID - Spain yesterday completed its ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty when the senate voted over- whelmingly to adopt it by 232 to six votes. Spain is the 23rd country out of 27 member states to back the treaty. - (Reuters)
Space walk to upgrade parking
CAPE CANAVERAL - The commander and chief engineer aboard the International Space Station left the outpost yesterday for a five-and-a-half-hour spacewalk to prepare another parking spot for when the crew size doubles to six.
Cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Oleg Kononenko need to install a docking target and make other upgrades so that future spaceships can automatically berth to the orbital outpost. - (Reuters)
Blair visit to Gaza cancelled
BEIT LAHIYA - A security threat forced Middle East envoy Tony Blair to cancel a trip to the Gaza Strip yesterday that would have marked the highest-level diplomatic visit since Hamas took control.
"Unfortunately Mr Blair has had to postpone his visit to Gaza due to a specific security threat which would have made it impossible to proceed," a spokesman said of the last-minute decision.
He said Mr Blair hoped to visit the territory, which Hamas seized a year ago, at a later date. - (Reuters)
Murat settles libel actions
LONDON - Robert Murat, an official suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, has settled his libel action against a number of British newspapers over claims he was involved in her disappearance.
Mr Murat (34) will fly from Portugal to London tomorrow for the settlement at the UK high court, his lawyers confirmed yesterday.
The settlement is with eight UK national newspapers, with damages totalling between £250,000 (€313,000) and £500,000 (€626,000), according to Sky News. Mr Murat initiated the action against 11 newspapers and one broadcaster in April. - (Reuters)