A round-up of other world news in brief
Council of Europe opposes ban on full veils
STRASBOURG – The Council of Europe human rights watchdog says it opposes an all-out ban on full face veils, under consideration by some European states, but has also urged Muslims to reject customs that deny women equal rights.
The council’s parliamentary assembly unanimously passed a resolution yesterday saying an all-out bans on full veils in public would deny a basic right to women who wanted to cover their faces.
It qualified that right by saying veils, also known as burkas and niqabs, could be banned when public security or professional obligations required women to show their faces. – (Reuters)
Oil gushes from well after collision
HOUSTON – Oil gushed largely unchecked from BP’s ruptured Gulf of Mexico well yesterday after a collision involving an undersea robot halted efforts to contain the oil spill.
While BP struggled to restart its oil-collection operation, a top US official told politicians in Washington that initial findings showed “reckless conduct” in the days leading up to the April explosion.
BP also faces the threat of a new lawsuit from investors angry at the halving of its stock price. The US coast guard, meanwhile, has reported the deaths of two workers helping to clean up the oil spill. – (Reuters)
Former Tory MP Peter Walker dies
LONDON – Former Conservative cabinet minister Lord Walker of Worcester has died following a long struggle with cancer, his family said today. He was 78.
Mr Walker first entered government in the 1960s and went on to serve in the cabinets of Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher. He was best known as energy secretary during the miners’ strike of the 1980s.
In paying tribute Baroness Thatcher said: “He was thorough and determined. He always fought strongly for his beliefs. He was also one of the most persuasive communicators in government.” – (PA)