Today's other stories in brief
Forest fire shifts tourists in Canaries
SPAIN - A raging forest fire that has burnt thousands of acres of woodland on Spain's Gran Canaria island forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people yesterday, including several dozen tourists, authorities said.
A forest ranger was arrested for allegedly starting the fire deliberately, authorities said.
Fifty tourists were moved from an inland hotel in the southeastern municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana because the blaze had reached a nearby hill, provincial government spokesman Roberto Moreno said. - (AP)
Turkish general backs secular rule
ANKARA - Turkey's top general yesterday reiterated that the military wanted the next president to uphold the country's secular values, potentially reviving tensions between the secularist establishment and the government.
The comments from Gen Yasar Buyukanit come amid recent concerns in financial markets about the presidency after an initial attempt to hold a presidential election was derailed earlier this year. - (Reuters)
Former 'Daily Mirror' editor dies
LONDON - Richard Stott, former editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper, died yesterday morning after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, his family said. He was 63.
Mr Stott also edited the Sunday People and Today newspapers, and worked on Alastair Campbell's diaries - finishing the task from his hospital bed. - (PA)
Gore's son pleads guilty over drugs
CALIFORNIA - Former US vice-president Al Gore's son pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing marijuana and other drugs, but a judge said the plea could be withdrawn if he successfully completed an intensive drug diversion programme in 18 months.
Al Gore III (24) entered the plea at his arraignment in California. - (AP)
BBC presenter Drabble dies
LONDON - Phil Drabble, the former presenter of the long-running BBC programme One Man And His Dog, has died aged 93. Drabble presented the show from 1976 to 1993. - (PA)
Colosseum kiss leads to gay protest
Italian gay couples held a small gathering to protest the brief detention of two men for kissing in front of the Colosseum.
The men were held for about 40 minutes on Friday for what police said were lewd acts in public. - (AP)