Today's other stories in brief
Al-Qaeda still biggest threat - White House
WASHINGTON - Al-Qaeda remains the "most serious and dangerous" terrorism threat and is expected to boost attempts to place agents inside the US, a new White House report said yesterday.
The report, entitled National Strategy for Homeland Security, said al-Qaeda had protected its top leadership, replenished operational lieutenants and "regenerated a safe haven" in Pakistan's tribal areas.
When asked whether al-Qaeda infiltration efforts were under way, White House homeland security adviser Fran Townsend replied: "There's no question. They're not only under way, they're ongoing." - (Reuters)
President denies confession
COPENHAGEN - Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili yesterday dismissed opposition allegations that the authorities had pressured a leading opponent into making a televised confession while in custody.
Former defence minister Irakly Okruashvili was shown on Georgian TV on Monday partially admitting to corruption charges and recanting accusations that Mr Saakashvili plotted to murder a businessman. - (Reuters)
Concern at death of Chinese bishop
ROME- The Vatican expressed concern yesterday at the unexplained death of a jailed Chinese bishop, who was quickly cremated and buried by Chinese authorities without a religious ceremony.
Han Dinxiang, a bishop in Hebei province who belonged to China's underground Catholic Church, died in custody on September 9th.
The Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, said he had suffered for his faith "in life and death", and estimated that he had been jailed for more than 20 years in total. - (Reuters)
Guesthouse owner's discrimination
STRASBOURG - A French court yesterday fined a guesthouse owner who refused to give a room to a woman wearing a Muslim headscarf unless she removed it in common areas.
Found guilty of religious discrimination, Yvette Truchelut (54) was handed a suspended four-month sentence and fined €1,000.
She will have to pay a total of €7,400 to the plaintiff and rights groups that brought the action.
Horia Demiati, who is of Moroccan origin, came to the guesthouse in August 2006 with her mother, who was also wearing a headscarf, and other family members.
She chose to leave the guesthouse rather than comply with the owner's demand. - (Reuters)
Cardinal receives death threats
MEXICO CITY - Mexico's Catholic Church called yesterday for government protection as its cardinal said he received death threats from leftist activists opposed to his stance against abortion and gay civil unions.
Cardinal Norberto Rivera, who also faces allegations that he protected a paedophile priest, said a group of leftists kicked and spat at his car on Sunday as he left Mexico City's central cathedral after Mass.
"They have threatened me with death," he said. - (Reuters)
Russia withdraws 'provocative' art
MOSCOW - Russian authorities have withdrawn several works of modern art from an exhibition due to be shown in France next week for being too "provocative", including one of two policemen kissing and caressing each other.
Artists and experts said the move to pull 17 works from the exhibition was an act of state censorship.
Defending the decision, officials said the exhibits would bring disgrace on Russia. - (Reuters)