■ United States
Authorities review blockade
Federal authorities will review last year's blockade of a Mississippi River bridge by armed police officers who turned back Hurricane Katrina evacuees trying to flee New Orleans. The investigation will be carried out by the US Attorney's Office in New Orleans in conjunction with the justice department's Civil Rights Division, First Assistant US Attorney Jan Mann said on Friday. Already, the results of a state investigation have been turned over to the Orleans Parish district attorney. Several hundred evacuees said they were told to cross the bridge to be evacuated from the city on Sept. 1. But suburban police stopped them on the bridge and forced them to turn around. The case raised widespread allegations of racism.
■ Iraq
Italian troops withdrawing
Iraqi forces will this month take full charge of security in the southern province of Dhi Qar from Italian troops, who are in the course of withdrawing from Iraq, an Iraqi official said yesterday. "In the coming days of this month, the security of the province will be handed over to the Iraqi forces by the Italians," Aziz Kadhim Alwa, head of the security committee of the province said. Alwa said the decision was taken after Italians found Iraqi forces capable of handling the "province's security after training by the coalition troops".
■ United Kingdom
Drug trial victim has cancer
One of six men who fell violently ill in March during clinical trials of a new drug has been told by his doctors that he is showing early signs of cancer, a newspaper reported yesterday. David Oakley, 35, from London, has been told by doctors that he is showing "definite early signs" of lymph cancer, the Mail on Sunday reported. He has also been warned that he faces the risk of multiple sclerosis, lupus, ME, rheumatoid arthritis and other illnesses. He told the newspaper that he had an "aggressive" form of cancer and faces further tests to see what treatment is needed. He said he took part in the trial to raise money for his wedding in June to wife Katrina, 29.
■ United Kingdom
Blair plans to stay on
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told colleagues he plans to stay on the job for at least another year, defying calls from members of his own party to step down sooner, the Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday. Blair's popularity has slumped amid government scandals over sex, alleged sleaze and incompetence and his refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. However, "he is talking about at least another year," the newspaper quoted an unidentified "close colleague" as saying. The newspaper said Blair's decision could lead to "a new war" with Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, who has made no secret of his ambition to take over as party leader and prime minister.
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