Today's other stories in brief
More than 74 killed in Iraq yesterday
BAGHDAD - A pair of mortar rounds slammed into a football field while young men were playing in a Shia area of Baghdad yesterday, as more than 60 people were killed in attacks nationwide.
US forces also said they killed 14 suspected insurgents, detained 48 and rescued a kidnapped Iraqi policeman in raids outside Baghdad. - (Reuters)
Vatican opposes Israeli gay parade
VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has condemned a gay pride parade due to be held in Jerusalem today as offensive to religious believers and urged Israeli authorities to stop it.
The Vatican urged authorities to withdraw permission for the parade which is expected to attract up to 8,000 people. - (Reuters)
Slovenia to act on Roma Gypsies
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia has promised a new law on relations with its Roma Gypsies after coming under fire for forcibly removing 30 Roma from their homes.
The government last week resettled the Roma in another part of the country after residents of Ambrus, where Roma gypsies have lived for 40 years, accused them of thievery and threatened to drive them out. - (Reuters)
Pinochet stripped of immunity
SANTIAGO - A Chilean appeals court yesterday stripped former dictator Augusto Pinochet of immunity in relation to the kidnap and disappearance of a Spanish priest in 1974.
Antonio Llido, who belonged to a dissident group opposed to Gen Pinochet, disappeared after being arrested by agents of Chile's oppressive police unit. - (Reuters)
Paul Gascoigne released on bail
LONDON - Former England soccer star Paul Gascoigne was released on bail yesterday after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a photographer.
The former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder was held on suspicion of actual bodily harm in South Kensington, west London, early yesterday. - (PA)