WORLD ROUND-UP

14 bodies found in drug war grave

MEXICO CITY: Police have found the charred remains of 14 bodies in a mass grave in central Mexico, victims of drug hitmen fighting over smuggling routes into the US, an attorney general's office said last Wednesday. Soldiers and investigative police found the bodies, mainly bones and badly burned remains, outside a drug safe house after a raid last week in the town of Apaseo el Alto in the once quiet state of Guanajuato.

Italy rail death toll reaches 18

ROME: The death toll from this week's rail disaster in northern Italy climbed to 18 after a victim who suffered serious burn injuries died in hospital, officials said yesterday. The latest victim, a man of Moroccan origin, died overnight while in hospital in Carrare, close to the town of Viareggio, where a train ferrying liquid petroleum gas exploded into a giant fireball after derailing last Monday.

Tributes paid to comedy actress

LONDON: Tributes have been paid to actress Mollie Sugden, who starred in the television comedy series "Are You Being Served", following her death at the age of 86. Her agent Joan Reddin told newspapers Sugden died last Wednesday after a long illness. "She was a lovely, lovely person. She was a great professional," Reddin said. Sugden delighted millions as the battleaxe shop assistant Mrs Slocombe in the innuendo-laden BBC show.

Two police dogs die in hot vehicle

LONDON: Two police dogs have died after being left inside a vehicle parked outside Nottinghamshire police headquarters on one of the hottest days of the year. The force said the German shepherds were discovered at Sherwood Lodge headquarters in Arnold last Tuesday and that the deaths were reported to the RSPCA. They have also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Algerian star tried over forced abortion

BOBIGNY: Algerian singer Cheb Mami went on trial in France yesterday over accusations that he forced his former lover into an attempted abortion in 2005. The 42-year-old star of Algeria's popular rai music, whose real name is Mohamed Khelifati, will be tried for complicity in kidnapping, group assault on a vulnerable person, threatening a victim and administering harmful substances.

Presidential run-off in Guinea-Bissau

BISSAU: The presidential election in Guinea-Bissau will go to a second round after last Sunday's vote failed to produce a clear winner, the electoral commission said yesterday. Malam Bacai Sanha of the PAIGC, the biggest party in parliament, polled 39.6 per cent and former President Koumba Yalla took 29.4 per cent of the vote, the commission said. These two candidates will contest the second round.Agencies