US accused of missile strike in Pakistan

Damadola Pakistani militants accused the United States yesterday of carrying out a missile strike in the country’s lawless tribal region and vowed to avenge the attack, which killed 18 people, including foreign militants.

Maulvi Omar, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taleban, said that a house belonging to a local tribesman was hit late on Wednesday by a two missiles fired from an American drone.

Star sleuth guilty

Los Angeles A private investigator has been convicted for wiretapping stars such as Sylvester Stallone to help clients in lawsuits, divorces and contract disputes. Anthony Pellicano, 64, was found guilty of all but one of the 77 counts against him. (AP)

Angry villagers stopped officials from approaching the ruins of the house, in Damadola, in the northwestern Bajaur tribal district, which borders the volatile Kunar province in Afghanistan.

Yousaf Raza Gilani, the Pakistani Prime Minister, said of the attack: “I strongly condemn this. Several innocent people have been killed.” (AFP)

100 die in fuel blast

Ijegun At least 100 people were killed and scores injured when fuel from a pipeline ruptured by an earthmover caught fire and exploded in the Nigerian village of Ijegun near Lagos, the Red Cross said. (Reuters)

Twin foetus

Athens A nine-year-old girl suffering from stomach pains was found to be carrying her embryonic twin, doctors said. Surgeons at a hospital in central Greece removed a tumour and discovered that it was a foetus with head, hair and eyes. (AP)

1,000 years in jail

Cairo A man was jailed for 1,000 years for conning hundreds of people out of £25 million in an investment scam. Abdullah Kamel Muhammad, 42, was arrested after a neighbour he duped recognised him. He may be paroled eventually. (AFP)

Tribute to chastity

Vatican City Pope Benedict XVI thanked hundreds of consecrated women virgins for their “total gift” to Christ, praising a rite in which they took a vow of lifelong chastity. The rite, not practised for centuries, was revived in 1970. (Reuters)

Rooftop roam

Bucharest A bear and her cub caused panic in Brasov, central Romania, after roaming in gardens, climbing the stairs of a four-storey building and breaking on to the roof. The mother was tranquillised and they were taken to a sanctuary. (AP)

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