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World in brief
Compiled from Times wires Colombian army seeks kidnapped bishopZIPAQUIRA, Colombia -- The Colombian government pledged an all-out effort Wednesday to find a bishop and prelate kidnapped by suspected rebels this week. President Alvaro Uribe said he was willing to exchange captured rebels for the hostages. Bishop Jorge Enrique Jimenez and the Rev. Desiderio Orjuela were seized Monday as they headed to a religious ceremony in central Colombia. Army troops backed by helicopters scoured the mountains north of Bogota on Tuesday but failed to find the priests. The Colombian army blamed the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, for the kidnappings. The leftist guerrilla group has not commented. Jimenez is president of the Latin American bishops conference, an organization of Roman Catholic bishops that determines church policy in the region and has a mandate covering the nations of Latin America. U.S. files more charges against Colombian rebelsWASHINGTON -- Attorney General John Ashcroft announced a new round of charges Wednesday against Colombia's largest outlaw army, indicting the group's No. 2 leader and other left-wing rebels for drug trafficking and the kidnapping of two Americans. "Today marks another significant milestone in the war against terrorism and drug trafficking in the Americas," Ashcroft said. He said authorities would hunt the combatants from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, including No. 2 leader Jorge Briceno Suarez, "as long as it takes ... no matter where they hide." In the past two weeks, U.S. prosecutors have broken up an arms-for-cocaine scheme allegedly run by Colombia's right-wing paramilitary army and smashed a kidnapping ring. Earlier in the year, other left-wing guerrillas, arms merchants and the nation's top paramilitary chief were indicted for crimes allegedly committed in or against the United States. China removes old leaders from top party positionsBEIJING -- Hu Jintao, the man expected to become China's next leader, was the only top politician re-elected to the Communist Party's Central Committee, the government announced today. The move was the most concrete sign yet of his ascent. The official Xinhua News Agency said President Jiang Zemin was not on the list, indicating his expected retirement from a formal party role. Jiang, 76, will remain president until March, but the party position is the source of his power, and his departure from it makes his retirement as president certain. Hu, 59, was designated as Jiang's heir apparent by the late senior leader Deng Xiaoping. The moves came at the end of the the Communist Party's weeklong 16th National Congress. Insurance man robs bank to help ill baby daughterTHESSALONIKI, Greece -- Police released an insurance salesman Wednesday who said he robbed a bank to raise money for his critically ill baby daughter. Christos Kalafatis, 31, still faces trial for using an air pistol to steal $14,954 from a bank in this northern Greek city Friday. He was arrested that day. Kalafatis told police he robbed the bank so his 8-month-old daughter could receive lifesaving heart surgery in the United States. Prosecuting authorities released him from custody after studying the baby's medical records. A trial date has not been set. "I made a very big mistake and I will answer for it. But first I have been given the chance to look after my daughter," Kalafatis said. He said he received several offers from charities and support groups, including a Greek-American organization, to help the baby girl. "I'd like to thank everyone." Britain plans to extend closing hours for pubsLONDON -- Drinkers raised their glasses to Prime Minister Tony Blair after his government announced plans Wednesday to let pubs stay open later. The government hopes the proposed change -- part of its crackdown on petty crime and antisocial behavior -- will curb binge drinking and end the noise and brawls that now spill onto many streets at 11 p.m., the current closing time every day but Sunday. Britons frequently complain about boorish behavior on the streets, trains and buses shortly after 11 p.m. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the bill, which is to be introduced in Parliament this week, would transfer the power to grant licenses to serve alcohol from local magistrates to town and city councils. It could be in effect next summer. Elsewhere . . .BANGLADESH STORMS: Nineteen boats disappeared in a fierce storm Wednesday off Bangladesh, and officials and witnesses said about 200 fishermen were missing and feared dead.
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
