IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Canada

Webcam killersentenced

A man accused of killing a female Chinese student in her Toronto apartment as her horrified ex-boyfriend watched via webcam from China was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder. The jury deliberated for four hours before delivering its verdict against Brian Dickson, 32. Justice Anne Molloy imposed a life sentence with a chance of parole after 25 years.

Quebec voters reject separation

The anti-separatist Quebec Liberal Party won a majority in provincial elections on Monday, crushing the separatist Parti Quebecois and eliminating the possibility of a new referendum on independence from Canada, at least for several years. The election in the mainly French-speaking province had turned into a referendum on whether to hold another vote on separating, and the answer appeared to be a resounding "Non".

United Kingdom

Geldof daughter found dead

Live Aid founder Bob Geldof said his family was "beyond pain" at the sudden death of his 25-year-old socialite daughter Peaches on Monday. Police were called to the woman's secluded home outside Wrotham in Kent, in southeast England, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death was being treated as "unexplained and sudden" but not suspicious, the police said.

Somalia

Two UN workers die in shooting

A Briton and a Frenchman working for the United Nations were shot dead on Monday at an airport in north-central Somalia, officials said.

A UN mission spokesman said it was not clear who was behind the killings. But one witness said the pair were attacked by a man in a police uniform as they sat in their car at Galkayo airport.

New Zealand

Key accused of using royals

New Zealand's opposition party accused Prime Minister John Key on Tuesday of trying to use a visit by British royals to boost his popularity ahead of a general election. Prince William, his wife, Kate, and baby Prince George arrived in New Zealand on Monday and were greeted by Key at Wellington Airport. Key is scheduled to meet the royals at least five more times during the 10-day tour.

Iraq

Attacks kill 15 in Baghdad

Attacks in Iraq left 15 people dead on Tuesday while security forces said they killed 25 militants near Baghdad amid worries insurgents are encroaching on the capital weeks ahead of elections. The latest violence is part of a protracted surge in nationwide bloodshed that has left more than 2,400 people dead since the start of the year.

AP-Reuters-AFP

(China Daily 04/09/2014 page11)