A round-up of today's other world stories in brief
Earthquake causes panic in Greek villages
ATHENS - An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck Greece yesterday, shaking people out of bed and causing panic in southern villages but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The quake woke residents in the capital Athens and prompted people in several other cities to call emergency services.
Officials said the epicentre of the quake was near the town of Leonidio on the Peloponnesian peninsula. - (Reuters)
Spears needs 'psychological help'
LOS ANGELES - Troubled US pop star Britney Spears has been released from hospital, a TV show psychologist said.
Dr Phil McGraw said the singer was discharged yesterday but still needs psychological help, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider reported in a press release.
Spears was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles by paramedics on Thursday night after police were called to her home because of a dispute involving the two sons she had with ex-husband Kevin Federline.
"My meeting with Britney and some family members in her room at Cedars leaves me convinced more than ever that she is in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention," McGraw told the programmes. - (AP)
Tamil Tigers' leader killed
COLOMBO - The Tamil Tigers' military intelligence chief was among 34 rebels killed in heavy fighting in northern Sri Lanka on Saturday, the military and a pro-Tiger website said, amid signs the 25-year civil war was escalating.
Col Charles was killed in clashes in the northwestern district of Mannar, where fierce fighting has been focused for months, the military said yesterday.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had no immediate comment, but a pro-rebel website said Col Charles had been killed by a roadside bomb planted in Tiger territory by a Sri Lankan army unit. - (Reuters)
Sarkozy may wed singer next month
PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy could marry Italian singer and former model Carla Bruni early next month, a French newspaper reported yesterday, citing unnamed sources.
In a report widely picked up on French radio and television, the weekly Journal du Dimanche said Mr Sarkozy had already given Bruni a diamond engagement ring and received a watch from the exclusive Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe in exchange.
"They are getting married! February 9?" the newspaper headlined its front page over a photograph of Sarkozy and Bruni, both in sunglasses, visiting the ancient site of Petra in Jordan at the weekend.
It said the date of a wedding had been set for Friday, February 8th, or more probably Saturday, February 9th. Sarkozy's office declined to comment. - (Reuters)
Lawyers get pay rise in Zimbabwe
HARARE - President Robert Mugabe's government has awarded a hefty salary hike to Zimbabwe's magistrates and prosecutors who have been on strike since October, official media reported yesterday.
Magistrates and prosecutors walked out of their jobs in October in protest against low pay, paralysing the judicial system.
Several court cases had to be postponed.
The state-run Sunday Mail reported the government had raised salaries by 2,200 per cent to between Z$460 million (€10,392 at the official exchange rate but €156 on the widely used black market) and Z$1 billion. - (Reuters)