A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Democrat admits defeat over Alito
WASHINGTON - Senate minority leader Harry Reid admitted yesterday he and fellow Democrats lacked the votes to block President George Bush's nomination of conservative appeals judge Samuel Alito to the US Supreme Court.
"Everyone knows there is not enough votes to support a filibuster," Mr Reid said, referring to the procedural roadblock that some Democrats said should be used to put off a vote.
However, the Nevada Democrat said he would vote for such a measure to at least send a message of opposition to the nominee. That vote will come on Monday, with final confirmation set for Tuesday. - (Reuters)
London bombing suspect charged
LONDON - A man has been charged in connection with the failed bomb attacks in London last July, British police said. Muhedin Ali (27), west London was charged with having helped Hussain Osman, one of the men suspected of the July 21st attacks, evade capture.
Ethiopian-born Briton Osman (27) fled to Italy after the unsuccessful attacks and was arrested in Rome before his extradition to Britain in September 2005. - (Reuters)
Police caution soccer player
CHESHIRE - Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse (24), has been cautioned by police over an assault involving his pregnant wife.
Police said yesterday that the France international, who married his wife Jude last June, was arrested at his home in Frodsham, Cheshire, last night. He was taken to a police station nearby and questioned before accepting a caution for common assault. - (PA)
School segregated Roma children
BUDAPEST - Hungary's ombudsman told a primary school it must stop discriminating against its Roma pupils after finding that it separated them from other children and listed them all as having learning disabilities.
Jeno Kaltenbachhas said the school, about 10km (6 miles) east of the capital Budapest, erected bars down a corridor to segregate Roma children and barred their access to the fire escape on the ground that they used it to evade lessons. - (Reuters)
Passive smoke is toxic in California
SAN FRANCISCO - In the US, California has become the first state to declare that passive smoke is a toxic air pollutant, putting tobacco fumes in the same category as diesel exhaust, arsenic and benzene because of its link to breast cancer.
The unanimous decision by the state Air Resources Board relied on a September report that found a sharply increased risk of breast cancer in young women exposed to second-hand smoke. The report also links drifting smoke to premature births, asthma and heart disease, as well as other cancers. - (PA)
'Queen Mary II' passengers relent
RIO DE JANEIRO - A sit-in planned by passengers on the Queen Mary II yesterday to protest at a last-minute itinerary shift was called off after the cruise operator said it would fully refund passengers.
Passengers on the world's largest and most expensive passenger liner, which arrived in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, had threatened to protest a decision by Miami- based operator Cunard, to cut stops in Barbados, St Kitts and Salvador, Brazil, to make up for time lost due to a damaged motor. - (PA)
Babyshambles singer in custody
LONDON - Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty has been remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to heroin possession. Doherty (26), best known for his on-off relationship with British supermodel Kate Moss, was arrested by police on Thursday. - (Reuters)