World Briefs

EUROPE

MOSCOW — A Russian rights group said Chechen authorities on Thursday abducted a human rights advocate in Moscow who has been critical of Chechnya’s Kremlin-backed leader. Arbi Khachukayev was detained by Chechen security officers and was flown to the Chechen capital of Grozny against his will, the Memorial group said.

LONDON — The union representing Britain’s postal workers says it will call off strikes planned for later this week — and remain at work through the December holidays — after reaching an interim agreement with the Royal Mail. Communication Workers’ Union spokesman Dave Ward said Thursday the deal will mean "a period of calm.”

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The U.N. war crimes tribunal ruled Thursday that former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will be appointed a lawyer to represent him whenever he fails to appear in court. It also postponed his trial until March 1 when the new lawyer should be ready.

AFRICA

Pirates holding a Spanish trawler off Somalia took three crew members ashore Thursday to press Spanish authorities for the release of fellow pirates captured in connection with the hostage drama, wives of two sailors said. Later, in a telephone interview, Ricardo Blach, the skipper of the hijacked Alakrana, said pirates on board had threatened to kill the three crew members if there was no progress in freeing the two pirates. Thirty six crew members were taken hostage on Oct. 2.

ASIA

BEIJING — China’s rapidly modernizing air force is planning a display of its new military might for its 60th anniversary on Sunday, showcasing a wide-ranging technical upgrade that has boosted its capabilities, though it still lags far behind its main rival, the United States. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force will mark the occasion with an aerial show and skydiving exhibition, using some of the state-of-the-art combat aircraft that have replaced hundreds of antiquated MIG fighters.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

---

Leave a Comment

News Photo Galleriesview all