World News in Pictures

[Mr Lick]

Followers of the Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr take part in a rally in Baghdad demanding that US troops leave Iraq at the end of the year

[Mr Lick]

US to withdraw troops from Pakistan



The US military has announced the withdrawal of a number of its troops from Pakistan.

The Pentagon said it had received a request from the Pakistani government to reduce its presence in the country.

The request came after a raid by US special forces killed al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in early May.

The US has more than 200 troops in Pakistan helping to train the army. But there are said to be intelligence and special forces operating there.

A spokesman at the Pentagon said that within the last two weeks Pakistan had asked the American military to reduce its footprint, and the Americans were doing so, pulling out some troops. The numbers are quite small.

It is not clear if any of the American intelligence and special operations forces that are said to be in Pakistan clandestinely are also being pulled out.

[Mr Lick]

Raid on US 'suicide kit' seller Sharlotte Hydorn, 91



A 91-year-old Californian woman who sells kits to help people end their lives says her home has been raided by federal agents.

Sharlotte Hydorn said they took away her computers, sewing kits and boxes of what she calls "exit kits", the Associated Press reported.

The kits contain a plastic hood that closes around the neck and clear tubing to hook up to a tank of gas.

She made headlines after a man from Oregon took his life using a kit.

The death of the 29-year-old in December outraged Oregon lawmakers who are now working on a bill to outlaw such devices.

[Mr Lick]

Lord Hanningfield convicted over parliamentary expenses



The peer and former Essex Council leader Lord Hanningfield has been found guilty of fiddling his expenses.

Paul White, 70, had denied six counts of false accounting relating to his parliamentary expenses.

The prosecution said he had claimed for overnight stays in London between March 2006 and April 2009, when he had actually returned home to Essex.

The peer told the court he had seen it as a "living-out-of-London allowance" rather than overnight subsistence.

The jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found White guilty on all six counts and he will be sentenced in six weeks' time.

White, who was an Essex councillor for 40 years and led the council from 2001 until he was charged in 2010, was made a life peer in 1998. He was a frontbench spokesman on business while the Conservatives were in opposition.

He was suspended from the Parliamentary Conservative party when he was charged.

[Mr Lick]

Cheryl Cole is 'dropped by US X Factor'



British pop star Cheryl Cole has been dropped from the judging panel of the US version of The X Factor, according to a US report.

Entertainment website TMZ said sources claimed producers were concerned the singer's Newcastle accent was too strong for US audiences.

Cole's UK publicist has refused to comment on the story.

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who had been lined up to co-host, will replace her, reports say.

After months of speculation, it was confirmed earlier this month that Cole had landed the coveted spot on the judging panel alongside former American Idol judge Paula Abdul, Antonio LA Reid and Simon Cowell.

[Mr Lick]

Edward Stobart died bankrupt, court documents show



Haulage magnate Edward Stobart died bankrupt, it has emerged.

Documents show Mr Stobart, who built Cumbria's Eddie Stobart haulage firm into a household name, petitioned for bankruptcy in July 2010.

Mr Stobart, who sold the company in 2004, had personal debts of £220,000 when he died on 31 March, aged 56, as a a result of heart problems.

The businessman, who lived in Warwickshire, took over a lorry trailer firm which failed in 2009.

Edward Stobart had petitioned for bankruptcy at Warwick County Court and his name is listed on the national Insolvency Register.

His occupation is listed as a company director and promoter and his status as bankrupt. This status was due for automatic discharge on 5 July, 2011.

[Mr Lick]

John Cooper guilty of two Pembrokeshire double murders



A labourer who evaded justice for decades over two Pembrokeshire double murders has been jailed for life.

John Cooper was convicted of the 1985 murder of brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas, and Oxfordshire couple Peter and Gwenda Dixon in 1989.

Cooper, 66, from Letterston, was also convicted of separate charges of rape, sexual assault and attempted robbery.

After an eight-week trial, the Swansea Crown Court jury convicted Cooper of what the judge called "evil" murders.

Mr Justice John Griffith Williams said Cooper was "a very dangerous man, highly predatory who, but for advances in forensic science, may well have continued to evade capture."

As the judge described how terrified the victims must have been, Cooper interrupted.

He shouted: "This is utter rubbish, it's rubbish. That jury's been on the internet. I don't blame them - evidence has been kept from that jury."

The judge warned Cooper he would be taken downstairs if he did not keep quiet.
Cooper remained in court as the judge completed his statement before passing a life sentence.

He told him: "The murders were of such evil wickedness that the mandatory sentence of life will mean just that."

He concluded: "You are a very dangerous man, a significant risk of serious harm."



John Cooper had denied killing Peter and Gwenda Dixon [both left] and Richard and Helen Thomas

[Mr Lick]

Mexico gang shootout in Nayarit state kills 28



A shootout between rival Mexican gangs has left at least 28 people dead, officials say.

The gunfight took place at a crossroads near Ruiz in the Pacific coast state of Nayarit, some 800km (500 miles) north-west of Mexico City.

Police found 28 men dead and four wounded when they reached the scene, which was littered with bullet shells.

In Michoacan state, drug gang violence has forced more than 1,000 people to flee their villages, officials say.

More than 34,000 people have died in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon launched a crackdown on the country's drug cartels in December 2006.

[Mr Lick]

China blasts: Fuzhou government buildings hit




Three explosions have struck government buildings in eastern China's Jiangxi province, state media say.

Two people were killed and at least six injured in the blasts, in the city of Fuzhou.

The first blast came outside the offices of the state prosecutor and the other explosions hit the city's food and drug agency and a district administration office.

Officials say the cause of the blasts is being investigated.

One body was found in the district government building and another person died later in hospital, a local government official was quoted as saying.

The near-simultaneous blasts went off shortly after 0900 (0100 GMT), reports say.

One eyewitness told Xinhua news agency that most of the windows had been blown out at the eight-storey local prosecutor's office.

Other eyewitnesses said ambulances had arrived at the scene to take several injured people from the local government office to hospital.

At least 10 cars were said to have been destroyed in the explosions.

Earlier unconfirmed reports said two of the blasts were caused by car bombs.

[Mr Lick]

Nina Wang boyfriend Tony Chan charged with forgery



The former boyfriend and feng shui master to the late Hong Kong billionairess Nina Wang has been charged with forgery.

The charge relates to a 2006 will that Tony Chan claimed entitled him to Mrs Wang's multi-billion dollar fortune.

At a probate ruling early last year, the judge ruled in favour of a different will from 2002, and said that Mr Chan's was a fake.

The case has captivated the Hong Kong media and public.

Mrs Wang died in 2007, leaving an estimated $12bn (£7.4bn) fortune.

Tony Chan has always insisted that the Chinachem businesswoman left him her fortune.

But there was another will, from 2002, leaving her money to the Chinachem Charitable Foundation, run by Mrs Wang's family members.

Mr Chan was arrested by the Commercial Crime Bureau the day after the probate ruling in February last year, but no charges were laid until now.

Mr Chan is accused of forgery and using a false instrument, following what the police said was an extensive investigation.

The married Mr Chan, who was 20 years younger than Mrs Wang, claims to have been her boyfriend after she was left a widow when her tycoon husband Teddy Wang was kidnapped and never found.

Mrs Wang was a colourful personality, known for wearing bunches and miniskirts well into her 60s.

[Mr Lick]

Thailand's Pheu Thai complains of 'smear campaign'



Thailand's main opposition party has filed a formal complaint against its main rival in the forthcoming election.

The Pheu Thai party accuses the secretary general of the Democrat party of smearing the reputation of some of its most high profile candidates.

They include the sister of the exiled fugitive former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and leaders of last year's anti-government street protests.
The row highlights key issues at the heart of the campaign.

The allegations centre on remarks allegedly made by Suthep Thaugsuban, an outspoken figure within the Democrat party, which heads the current coalition government.

Mr Suthep is accused of suggesting that the opposition's candidate for prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, had only entered politics for business reasons, and as such was following in the footsteps of her more famous brother, the ousted former premier.

Three other opposition candidates, all of whom hold senior positions within the anti-government "red-shirt" movement, have been described by Mr Suthep as terrorists running for office.

The three have been charged with terrorism in connection with last year's political violence, but none has been tried in court.

[Mr Lick]

Spinner Terry Jenner, mentor to Shane Warne, dies at 66



Former Australia leg-spinner Terry Jenner has died at the age of 66.
Born in Mount Lawley, Perth, Jenner played nine Tests between 1970 and 1975, taking 24 wickets.

But his greatest contribution to world cricket was as a coach and mentor for Aussie leg-spin legend Shane Warne, who retired from cricket last week.

"Very sad day since hearing of my great friend's passing. He was an amazing man, full of knowledge and wanted to share it," Warne wrote on Twitter.

"He gave up so much of his time for cricket and spin bowling.

"My sympathy to all of his family - the great man will be missed."

Former Australia captain Allan Border added: "Terry was a very, very strong influence on Shane Warne. That says it all.

"There's not a spin bowler in the country who hasn't had any time with Terry Jenner. He's just one of those fellows who connected to the younger generation. He was just so passionate about it."

Jenner had previously suffered a heart attack in April 2010 while in England, and passed away in Brighton, a suburb of Adelaide, on Wednesday.

Jenner's funeral will take place at the Adelaide Oval.

[Mr Lick]

Georgian protests: Two killed as police clear Tbilisi



The Georgian capital Tbilisi is tense after an overnight crackdown on anti-government protesters, during which a policeman and one other person died.

Both victims were killed by a speeding car, which President Mikheil Saakashvili said had been in a convoy carrying opposition leaders.

Nearly 40 people were also injured as riot police cleared protesters ahead of independence day events.

Celebrations went ahead on Thursday with a military parade.

Hundreds of opposition supporters have been protesting daily all week, demanding the president's resignation.

Protesters say the president has failed to tackle poverty and accuse him of authoritarian behaviour.

Speaking at the parade, Mr Saakashvili said every citizen had the right to freedom of expression but events of recent days had had "nothing to do with the postulates of freedom of speech".

[Mr Lick]

Bomb injures seven in busy Istanbul shopping area



A bomb blast in the Turkish city of Istanbul has injured seven people in one of its busiest shopping districts, officials say.

None of those hurt are believed to have serious injuries and they are said to include a police officer.

There were no immediate reports of any militant group saying it had carried out the bombing.

The attack comes less than three weeks before a general election which the ruling party is expected to win.

Security forces have been on the alert in recent weeks for attacks by Kurdish separatist militants, while Islamist and leftist militants have also been active in Turkey in recent years.

[Mr Lick]

Brazil sex education material suspended by President



President Dilma Rousseff has suspended the distribution and production of sex education films for schools in Brazil.

President Rousseff believes the footage is not suitable for youngsters.

The education packs contain gay and lesbian video scenes and are supposed to combat homophobia.

However, evangelical church groups and their allies in Congress threatened to block any upcoming legislation unless President Rousseff halted the films.

'Anti-homophobia kits' A government spokesman said President Rousseff had viewed the material personally and decided to suspend its distribution.

"She didn't like what she saw," Gilberto Carvalho said.

He said President Rousseff was unhappy with the footage and believed it did not offer an objective picture of homosexuality.

The "anti-homophobia kits", as they are known in Brazil, were about to be rolled out by Brazil's ministry of health and the ministry of education.

Several members of Brazil's chamber of deputies with strong evangelic Christian beliefs said the sex education packs encouraged homosexual behaviour.

Gay and lesbian rights campaigners have expressed serious concerns.

A leading rights campaigner and congressman, Jean Wyllys, said the decision called into question President Rousseff's commitment to human rights.

"I voted for her in the last elections," he said, "because I thought she would defend the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens."

"If she doesn't do a U-turn and change her mind, I will urge all gay people not to vote for her again."

[Mr Lick]

Libyan assets held by leading global banks



Some of the biggest and best-known financial institutions in the world held billions of dollars of Libyan state funds, a leaked report has revealed.

Principal among them were HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Nomura and Societe General, Global Witness said.

The banks refused to say whether they held, or are still holding, the funds.

All the assets have now been frozen by the European Union and United Nations.

The document, dated June 2010, showed that HSBC held $292.7m (£179.9m) in 10 cash accounts, with a similar amount invested in a hedge fund, while Goldman Sachs had $43m in three accounts.

Almost $4bn was held in investment funds and structured products, with Societe General alone holding $1bn.

Japanese bank Nomura and Bank of New York also held $500m each.

A much larger proportion of Libyan Investment Authority's assets - $19bn in total - were held by Libyan and Middle Eastern Banks, the document revealed.

[Mr Lick]

Daughter of Indian diplomat sues NYC for $1.5m



An Indian diplomat's daughter is suing New York City's government for $1.5m after she was wrongfully arrested on suspicion of sending obscene e-mails.

Krittika Biswas was alleged to have sent the e-mails to her high school teacher in February. She was subsequently cleared of the offence.

Her lawyer said that she was unlawfully held by the US authorities for more than 24 hours after her arrest.

There has so far been no comment on her claim from the US authorities.

Ms Biswas - the daughter of the vice counsel at the Indian consulate in Manhattan - claimed that she was ill-treated in prison and was forced to go to the toilet in front of other prisoners.

Her lawyer Rajiv Batra said her arrest on 8 February was a violation of international law, US federal law as well as US state and city law.

He said that the 18-year-old had diplomatic immunity that prevented her from being arrested. US authorities are reported to have argued that immunity did not extend to family members of a diplomat.

She was eventually allowed back into the Queens' John Bowne High School when it emerged that she had not sent the offending e-mails

[Mr Lick]

Gruesome history of India's 'house of horrors



Delhi's "house of horrors", as the Indian media call it, is now hidden behind an overgrown bougainvillea covered in pretty flowers.

But house D5 will forever be remembered as the place where at least 19 young women and children were raped, killed and dismembered.

The two men living there were accused of the dreadful crimes; one of them, Surinder Koli, has since been sentenced to death. He was due to be executed this week, but the date has been put off while India's president considers a mercy plea.

Its gate is blocked by police barriers, and life in the street outside carries on as normal.

There is a man selling water melons, another herding cattle. Signs on the gates of the neighbouring mansions show that lawyers, doctors and other professionals live there.

The deaths were discovered in December 2006 after body parts and children's clothing were found blocking the sewer running in front of the house.



Surinder Koli (L) and Monindher Pandher (R) are accused of murdering 19 young women and children

[Mr Lick]

Elizabeth Smart kidnapping: Mitchell gets life in jail



A homeless street preacher who kidnapped a 14-year-old girl in the US state of Utah in 2002 has been ordered to spend life in prison.

Elizabeth Smart, who was held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell, looked on as he was sentenced in a federal court in Salt Lake City.

"I know that you know what you did is wrong," Ms Smart told Mitchell.
Mitchell was found guilty in December of abduction and the transportation of a minor across state lines for sex.

The 57-year-old preacher, who had pleaded insanity in December, was handed two life sentences by US District Judge Dale Kimball in federal court in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, years after he was declared mentally ill and unfit to stand trial in state court.

Mitchell's estranged wife Wanda Barzee pleaded guilty to kidnapping in 2009.
Authorities have said Mitchell kidnapped Ms Smart, now 23, from her parents' home in Utah at knife point.

He had met the family when Ms Smart's parents hired him for casual handiwork.

[Mr Lick]

The vehicle of the Lycee Saint Joseph (France) racing teamcompetes in the Shell Eco Marathon at the Lausitz Eurospeedway in Klettwitz May 26, 2011. Some 200 teams from 26 countries are competing in this year's edition of the Eco Marathon to determine who has built the most energy efficient vehicle.



The vehicle of the Lycee Technique des Arts et Metiers (Luxemburg) racing team competes in the Shell Eco Marathon at the Lausitz Eurospeedway in Klettwitz May 26, 2011.



Members of the Universidad Catolica San Antonio (Spain) racing team sit under the shade of their vehicle's solar panel as they wait for a technical inspection before competing in the Shell Eco Marathon at the Lausitz Eurospeedway in Klettwitz May 26, 2011.



The vehicle of the Microjoule La Joliverie (France) racing team undergoes a technical inspection before competing in the Shell Eco Marathon at the Lausitz Eurospeedway in Klettwitz May 26, 2011.



The vehicle of the Philipp-Matthaeus-Hahn-Schule (Germany) racing team competes in the Shell Eco Marathon at the Lausitz Eurospeedway in Klettwitz May 26, 2011.

[Mr Lick]

Inmates play bagpipes as part of their routine training inside Kotbhalwal central jail in Jammu, India

[Mr Lick]

Residents try to extinguish flames on a small plane which crashed in a residential area in Faridabad, on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, early on May 26.



Palestinians wait in a taxi to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on May 26. Egypt will open its border with the Gaza Strip "on a daily basis" starting from May 28, the state MENA news agency said on Wednesday, to ease entry restrictions for Palestinians.

[Mr Lick]

Officials standing beside damaged cars at a government office after an explosion in Fuzhou city, in eastern China's Jiangxi province, on May 26. Three explosions including two car blasts struck government buildings, an official said, with state media reporting at least five people were injured.

[Mr Lick]

An injured man walks in front of the ranks of the Georgian riot police officers dispersing an opposition rally in front of the parliament in Tbilisi late on May 25. Authorities in Georgia sent in riot police as five days of opposition protests demanding the resignation of Western-backed President Mikheil Saakashvili ended violently









At least 37 people were wounded. Some opposition protesters were beaten by police with batons and Reuters photographers saw people smeared in blood lying restrained on the tarmac. Some protesters wielded metal poles and sticks.

[Mr Lick]

Former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn moved Wednesday from a temporary space in a high-rise to a plush, four-bedroom brick town house in Manhattan where he will remain under house arrest as he awaits trial in his attempted rape case, officials said.






The building, which has five bathrooms, is located on a cobblestone street in one of Manhattan's most posh neighborhoods. It also is close to the courthouse where he will attend hearings