In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Leftist Correa wins Ecuador election

QUITO -Ecuador's Rafael Correa, a leftist vowing to rein in political elites, has won Sunday's presidential run-off with 57 per cent of votes after most ballot boxes were tallied, a top election official said yesterday.

Mr Correa, who calls Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez a close friend, says he has a strong mandate, but he could struggle to fulfil his reformist vows in a country where rebellious lawmakers have helped to oust three presidents in a decade.

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His rival in Sunday's vote, Alvaro Noboa, has refused to accept defeat and says he could challenge the election with a review of the ballots. - (Reuters)

Hotel searched in spy investigation

LONDON -Police investigating the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko yesterday extended their search to a five-star London hotel. Scotland Yard confirmed that officers were examining the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel as well as an office building in the West End. - (PA)

Boot camp staff in manslaughter case

MIAMI -Eight former staff members of a Florida juvenile boot camp have been charged with manslaughter in the death of a 14-year-old boy whose beating by guards was captured on video, according to prosecutors.

Seven guards and a nurse were charged yesterday in the death of Martin Lee Anderson nearly 11 months ago. - (Reuters)

Berlusconi given clean bill of health

ROME -Silvio Berlusconi was given a clean bill of health yesterday after fainting at a rally last weekend. The former Italian prime minister planned to get straight back into the political fray after his discharge which is due today. - (Reuters)

NY mayor meets victim's fiancée

NEW YORK -Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday met the family and fiancée of an unarmed black man killed by police gunfire outside a New York strip club on his wedding day. The incident has ignited concerns over police tactics. - (AP)