Survivors in rubble of building
BAKU - Ten people are alive under the rubble of a 14-storey building that collapsed on Tuesday killing at least eight in Azerbaijan's capital, emergency services said yesterday. One of those trapped had made contact by mobile phone and reported that there were nine other people alive in the basement, Baku city prosecutor Aziz Seidov said. Initial evidence pointed to shoddy building work as the cause of the collapse, he said. Reuters
Noriega nearing extradition
PANAMA CITY - Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is a step closer to facing money-laundering charges in France after a federal judge in Miami approved his extradition, less than two weeks before the end of his US prison sentence on a drug racketeering conviction. Attorneys for the 73-year-old Noriega vowed to continue fighting for his return home to Panama, but they have now lost before two different judges. AP
Pope attacks wildfire arsonists
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict has condemned the 'criminal acts' and 'irresponsible behaviour' of arsonists who authorities blame for setting many of the recent wildfires that have devastated parts of Greece and Italy this summer and killed at least 70 people in the two countries. 'One cannot help being worried by the irresponsible behaviour of those who put human safety at risk and destroy the environment,' Pope Benedict said. AP
No drunk astronauts, says Nasa
