■HONG KONG
Teens consider sex for cash
One in three teenagers would consider selling sex for money as the trend of so-called “compensated dating” sweeps the city, a survey found yesterday. Of nearly 600 youngsters aged 12 to 20 questioned in the wealthy territory of 7 million, 34 percent said they would consider offering compensated dating, a euphemism for prostitution, as a full-time job. Sixty percent of those said they would do it mainly to earn quick cash, while 23 percent said they would do it for their own sexual gratification.
■INDIA
Doctors strike in Bihar
At least 21 patients have died in a government- run hospital in the eastern state of Bihar after a strike by doctors entered its third day on Saturday, a news report said. A government official told the IANS news agency that the deaths were reported in the Medical College and Hospital in state capital Patna since Thursday. More than 400 junior doctors were on an open-end strike from Thursday, demanding higher pay.
■CAMEROON
Train crash kills seven
Seven people died and more than 250 others were injured in a passenger train crash near the capital on Saturday, state radio said, a day after a train carrying gas derailed and burst into flames, killing two. “These two days have been very unfortunate for our national railway carrier,” government spokesman Issa Tchiroma told reporters on Saturday. There was no immediate explanation for either of the crashes.
■GABON
Citizens vote for leader
Polls opened early yesterday in an election expected to continue the family dynasty of Omar Bongo, who ran the oil-producing nation for more than 41 years until his death in June. Bongo’s son Ali-Ben, 50, is up against over a dozen candidates, but analysts say that the support of the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party — and by extension the army and police — installs him as firm favorite. Provisional results are expected on Wednesday.
■RUSSIA
‘Arctic Sea’ sailors released
Sailors from the Arctic Sea cargo ship allegedly hijacked by pirates in the Baltic Sea have gone home after their detention by Russian authorities fueled theories of a cover-up, reports said yesterday. “According to my information, all 11 have returned home,” Mikhail Voitenko, a shipping expert who has followed the case, said in a posting on his Web site, the Sovracht Maritime Bulletin. A video posted on the tabloid news Web site Life.ru showed the sailors being joyfully greeted by their relatives after their train arrived in the northern city of Arkhangelsk on Saturday evening. The sailors appeared reluctant to speak to journalists upon their arrival in Arkhangelsk, Life.ru reported. “As though by command, all members of the crew hid from cameras and declined to answer journalists’ questions,” the Web site wrote.
■VENEZUELA
Opposition leader arrested
Authorities have arrested an opposition leader for alleged violence during a protest. State-run Bolivarian News Agency says a local court ordered the arrest of Caracas official Richard Blanco. Authorities detained Blanco for allegedly injuring a police officer during a demonstration a week ago, the agency said on Saturday. The march was one of many protests over a new education law critics say could lead to political indoctrination in schools.
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