A roundup of today's world news in brief
Iraq violence falls to new low level
BAGHDAD:Civilian deaths from violence in Iraq fell again in October to their lowest level this year, new government figures show, bolstering the US military's assertion that a troop surge is reducing bloodshed.
US military fatalities also showed a significant drop in October; so far 36 have been reported for the month, the lowest since March 2006 and well below 65 deaths in September.
Figures from Iraq's health, interior and defence ministries recorded 758 civilians killed in violence in October, along with 117 policemen and 13 Iraqi soldiers. - (Reuters)
Boy admits he started US wildfire
LOS ANGELES:A boy playing with matches started one of the Californian wildfires which destroyed 21 homes, police said yesterday.
The boy, who has not been named, is under 13 but no other details about him have been released. A state prosecutor has been asked to consider criminal charges.
The boy admitted starting the fire on October 21st which spread quickly, fanned by strong winds. "He admitted to playing with matches and accidentally starting the fire," a police spokesman said. - (AP)
Heather Mills slams media attention
LONDON:Heather Mills McCartney claimed she was close to suicide, compared herself to Princess Diana and the McCanns and accused Sir Paul McCartney of stalling on their divorce settlement in dramatic TV interviews today.
The estranged wife of Sir Paul (65) pledged to campaign to change the press laws. She said she had received death threats and wondered whether she might be "revered" like Linda McCartney if the "death threats came true".
Ms Mills (39) choked back tears and put her head in her hands while attacking the media for subjecting her, as she claimed, to the same treatment as Diana, Princess of Wales. - (PA)
Refinery catches fire after checks
LONDON:Fire broke out at a major oil refinery the day after safety inspectors had been carrying out checks.
Health and Safety Executive officials visited the refinery at Coryton, Essex, on Tuesday - 24 hours before the blaze. No one was hurt in the fire. - (PA)
Church must pay €2m to family
BALTIMORE:A jury has ordered a Kansas church to pay $2.9 million (€2.02 million) in damages to relatives of a gay US marine who was killed in Iraq after church members cheered his death at his funeral.
The jury determined that the Westboro Baptist Church based in Topeka, and three of its principals, had invaded the privacy of the dead man's family and inflicted emotional distress when they protested at his funeral last year.
Church members said the soldier's death was God's punishment on America for tolerating homosexuality. - (Reuters)