■ United states
Pet shop proves gruesome
When the police in Mount Vernon, New York, investigated claims and counterclaims by the owners of a pet shop and its landlord, they thought they might find evidence of a burglary. What they found was far more gruesome: about 200 animals -- rabbits, lizards, hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice -- were either dead or emaciated in their cages. Some of the mice and hamsters had even begun feeding off the ones that had died. Police said investigators still had to determine if the animals had been abandoned and died of neglect or had been poisoned by vandals.
■ Colombia
Drug-war effort praised
The government of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has "turned the corner" in battles to eradicate coca crops and to combat guerrilla groups, the US military commander for the region said on Wednesday. Coca production is down 15 percent and hundreds of fighters have deserted rebel groups in the last year but Colombia still has big strides to take in its US-backed wars against drug trafficking and guerrillas, General James Hill told reporters. Home to the world's largest cocaine industry, Colombia is working to stabilize its economy and kill off its vast coca crops in the shadow of a guerrilla war that claims thousands of lives each year.
■ United states
Springer won't run
Talk-show host Jerry Springer, who brings foul-mouthed prostitutes, homewreckers and skinheads into living rooms every day, said Wednesday he will not run for the US Senate next year. Springer, a Democrat, had said he would quit his show should he run for the Senate seat held by Republican George Voinovich since 1998. Springer, 59, had crisscrossed Ohio the last six months, speaking at Democratic dinners and gauging support for a Senate bid.
■ Iceland
Whale hunt back on
Iceland is to resume whaling next month, after a break of 14 years, in what it claims is a scientific survey to discover how many fish whales eat. Iceland proposed resuming "scientific" whaling at the June meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC voted 21-16 for it to reconsider the plans. Whaling is officially banned worldwide while stocks recover. Apart from tiny numbers taken by indigenous peoples, only Japan and Norway have continued to kill whales. A loophole in the IWC rules which allows whaling for research purposes means that they can do so, and Iceland now plans to exploit it as well.
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