■ Russia
Race riots probed
Russian authorities have opened criminal proceedings after a violent clash in a Siberian city last week between police and a large group of Chinese construction workers that left people injured on both sides, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. In a statement Monday, the ministry said Russia regarded the May 11 incident with the "utmost seriousness," and would carry out a thorough investigation. Prosecutors in Irkutsk opened two preliminary criminal cases -- one against the Chinese citizens for resisting police, and another against police officers for abuse of power.
■ Canada
Martin challenges opponents
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on Monday challenged his opponents to behave with civility in parliament, just days before the possible fall of his minority Liberal government. Martin faces a no-confidence vote tomorrow, which would trigger an election if he loses. The Parliament has been paralyzed for weeks, with the opposition Conservatives seizing on a Liberal Party corruption scandal and tying up the House of Commons with shouting matches and motions to adjourn. On Monday, Martin urged Conservative Leader Stephen Harper to resume a respectful dialogue within the House.
■ Africa
Mini-summit due to end
An African mini-summit in Tripoli on peace efforts for Sudan's war-torn Darfur region was due to end yesterday with an agreement to resume talks between Khartoum and rebels within the next two weeks in Nigeria. African leaders attending the seven-way summit in Tripoli agreed that "the Abuja negotiations should be resumed by the end of the month," Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir told reporters. Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad later said official talks would kick off on June 1. A final date was expected to be announced late yesterday when the two-day meeting officially closes.
■ France
Eiffel Tower jump goes bad
A Norwegian man was killed after jumping off an upper deck of the Eiffel Tower with a parachute that never opened, officials said yesterday. The man crashed on the 55m-high first deck of the famous Paris landmark after jumping from an upper deck on Monday evening, said an official for SNTE, the company that manages the Eiffel Tower. Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Anne Lene Sandsten said the man was Norwegian, according to news agency NTB.
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