A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
British and Australians quit province
IRAQ - British and Australian forces yesterday handed over security responsibility for relatively peaceful Muthanna province to Iraqi forces in the first such transfer of an entire province. Prime minister Nouri Maliki hailed the security transfer as an important step toward the goal of full Iraqi responsibility for all 18 provinces by the end of next year. But at least 24 people were killed in attacks nationwide yesterday, illustrating the security challenge faced by this country. - (AP)
Turkish soldiers killed by mine
ANKARA - Five Turkish soldiers were killed in a mine blast in eastern Turkey's Bitlis province and four other were wounded, the state Anatolian news agency said yesterday. The soldiers were in a military vehicle when a mine exploded. - (Reuters)
Moscow man claims 61 murders
MOSCOW - A Moscow resident's confession that he murdered 61 people over 14 years has been broadcast on Russian TV. Alexander Pichuzhkin (32) has told police the murders began when he was 18. If confirmed, they would make him the bloodiest serial killer in Russian history. Prosecutors say they cannot confirm his claims, but some law enforcement sources believe there is evidence that he may have taken part in at least 18 murders. - (Guardian service)
Labour MP to challenge Brown
LONDON - A left-wing Labour MP looks set to announce he will challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership of the Labour Party when Tony Blair quits. John McDonnell - chair of the Socialist Campaign Group - will make what he terms an "important announcement on the future of the Labour Party" today. - (PA)
€5 billion EU boost for Africa
BRUSSELS - The European Commission presented a plan yesterday to spend more than €5 billion to boost regional infrastructure in Africa, targeting key trans-African roads for improvements.
The EU executive also identified a number of cross-border energy, water and information technology networks in Africa which the EU could help build or improve between 2008-13. - (Reuters)
Thief robs judge during his trial
BERLIN - A 61-year-old German on trial for theft got himself into more trouble when he stole from the judge during his court hearing, police said yesterday. Police in the central town of Coburg said that while facing her at the bench, the man pocketed a bunch of keys from the judge, who did not notice until he had left the room. - (Reuters)
Cuba suspects 'push' from Bush
HAVANA - Cuba suspects the Bush administration has military plans to topple Fidel Castro's Communist government, but is too bogged down in Iraq to invade, one of Castro's closest aides, Ricardo Alarcon, said yesterday.
The White House's Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba last week recommended new steps to hasten the collapse of Castro's one-party state that has been a thorn in Washington's side for 47 years.- (Reuters)
Actor Red Buttons dies aged 87
LOS ANGELES - Comedian and actor Red Buttons, who made his name on the 1950s TV variety show The Red Buttons Show, has died at the age of 87, his publicist said yesterday. Buttons's career spanned more than 60 years and included celebrated stints in film, on Broadway, TV, comedy clubs and Las Vegas. - (Reuters)