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[JohnCenaFan28]

Foreign ministers from Nato countries are meeting in Brussels to discuss resuming co-operation with Russia.

Relations between the alliance and Moscow were frozen after Russia's brief war with Georgia in August.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she broadly backed efforts to improve relations but that some areas remained "problematic".

Ministers are also likely to disappoint Ukraine and Georgia, which had been hoping for a roadmap to membership.

Moscow strongly opposes their ambitions to join the alliance, and some countries, like Germany, France and Italy, fear offering them a so-called membership action plan (MAP) would provoke Russia, correspondents say.

Instead, ministers are expected to encourage Tbilisi and Kiev to pursue reforms needed to join the alliance, but will stop short of offering MAPs, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Brussels says.

'Problematic'

Nato ministers are not expected to revive the Nato-Russian Council, say analysts, but could approve a resumption of lower-level dialogue with Moscow.

Nato bid has a long way to go

Ms Rice said she was not opposed "in principle" to improving the council's activities, but warned against military co-operation.

"We should be very attentive to what the Russians are doing and are they living up to their obligations," she said.

"There are certain types of activities, like military-to-military contacts, that seem to me to be problematic, when the Russian ministry is sitting in Georgian territory, in the separatist regions."

Thousands of Russian troops are still stationed in Georgia's rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

On Tuesday, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili warned the West of "grave risks of returning to business as usual" with Russia without holding it to account for its actions in Georgia.

"If the international response is not firm, Moscow will make other moves to redraw the region's map by intimidation or force," Mr Saakashvili wrote in an article in the Wall Street Journal.

In a separate development, the EU launched its mission to investigate the causes of the Georgian-Russian conflict, a spokesman for the EU's French presidency was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

'No shortcuts'

Nato is deeply divided on how to proceed, following the conflict over South Ossetia in the summer, correspondents say.

While the US and newer Nato members, from the former Warsaw Pact, are keen to draw Georgia and Ukraine closer, others like Germany and France are wary of antagonising Russia, a key energy supplier.

The war also raised doubts among many members over whether Georgia, with its disputed territories, was ready to join the bloc or remained too volatile.

Ukraine has been beset by political turbulence, with the country split on Nato membership.

Ms Rice said she believed in Nato's "open door policy" but that there should be "no short cuts to membership of Nato", and that both Ukraine and Georgia must first meet the organisation's admission standards.

"No one wants to see a circumstance in which Ukraine and Georgia are shut out," she said.

Nato does not want Russia to think it has a veto over who joins the alliance, our correspondent says.

So the ministers are expected to discuss a compromise formula of seeking to further Ukrainian and Georgian entry ambitions, but bypassing the MAPs.

Instead, other less formal measures preparing the way, such as raising the standards of the countries' equipment, will be pursued.

-BBC News

[JohnCenaFan28]

Convicted sex killer Peter Tobin has been found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton 17 years ago and sentenced to life in prison.

Tobin, 62, abducted, sexually assaulted and then killed the 15-year-old, before cutting up her body and burying it in his garden.

A jury found him guilty of murdering the schoolgirl, from Redding near Falkirk, after a month-long trial at the High Court in Dundee.

Tobin is already serving a life sentence for raping and murdering Polish student Angelika Kluk and hiding her body in a Glasgow church in 2005.

During the trial, prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC, Scotland's solicitor-general, described Vicky's murder as a crime of "almost unspeakable horror".

Branding the killing "a barbaric act" and an "atrocity", he told the jury: "I have searched long and hard in my lexicon to find words which can properly describe what happened to this poor girl. The best I can do is describe it as 'evil'."

The jury took less than two-and-a-half hours to find Tobin guilty. As the verdict was delivered, there were cries of "Yes" from members of Vicky's family and friends.

Her father Michael smiled broadly as Tobin was found guilty.

Tobin was today given a life sentence and ordered to serve a minimum term of 30 years.

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

A senior police officer has been appointed by Acting Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson to review the handling of the police inquiry into Home Office leaks.

Sir Paul has asked British Transport Police Chief Constable Ian Johnston to report to him within seven days.

In the meantime, the investigation team - who last week arrested Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green - will consult with the Crown Prosecution Service about further steps in the inquiry.

Mr Johnston, who is chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers crime committee, has been asked to look into the Metropolitan Police's "decisions, actions and handling of the investigation", said Sir Paul.

The decision to call him in reflects concern at Scotland Yard over the political furore which has blown up over Mr Green's arrest on suspicion of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office. The Ashford MP denies all wrongdoing and has been released on bail until February.

His arrest provoked a furious response from London Mayor Boris Johnson, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority and other senior politicians, including Conservative leader David Cameron, who described it as "heavy-handed".

MPs have questioned the decision to conduct a police search of Mr Green's House of Commons offices, which some regard as a breach of parliamentary privilege.

In a statement released by Scotland Yard, Sir Paul said: "I am properly concerned about the issues being raised within the continuing debate surrounding the ongoing investigation into the leaking of Government information.

"I have therefore appointed Ian Johnston, chairman of the Acpo crime committee and the Chief Constable of British Transport Police, to conduct an urgent review of our decisions, actions and handling of the investigation to date and to provide me with an interim report within seven days and a further report within two weeks.

"In the meantime, the investigation team will be meeting the CPS to review progress and consider next steps."

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

Britain's retail sector has been dealt a major blow as another high street company went into administration with the loss of more than 800 jobs.

Glasgow-based Bowie Castlebank Group is to shed 817 jobs across its businesses, which include photo-processing chains Klick Photopoint and Max Spielman and dry cleaner William Munro.

The company employed 1,664 people at 314 shops across the UK.

Blair Nimmo, joint administrator and head of restructuring for KPMG in Scotland, said: "It is with regret that we have had to make substantial redundancies across Bowie Castlebank's operations and we are currently working with government agencies to ensure the employees' issues are dealt with as quickly as possible."

The latest jobs blow comes the week after famous high street names Woolworths and MFI both went into administration.

In a statement, KPMG said the group's photo-processing business had been hit by the advance of digital photography.

And the reduced number of clothes needing dry-cleaning had led to the contraction of the cleaning business, the administrators added.

The company's turnover last year was £59.5 million. The firm explored several options to restructure or refinance but these were not successful, the administrators said.

Despite the heavy job losses, KPMG said there were currently no plans to close any of the outlets.

Mr Nimmo said: "We are marketing the business in an attempt to secure a sale of some of the group's stores or operations as a going concern."

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

The coroner at the inquest of Jean Charles de Menezes has ruled out a verdict of unlawful killing.

Former High Court judge, Sir Michael Wright, began summing up seven weeks of evidence by telling jurors they will only be allowed to return a verdict of lawful killing or an open verdict.

Having considered all the evidence, a verdict of unlawful killing was "not justified", he said.

The coroner told jurors to cast aside "any emotion" over the innocent Brazilian's shooting.

He also warned the 11 jurors they must not attach any criminal or civil fault to individuals.

He told them verdicts cannot be inconsistent with the outcome of the Metropolitan Police's health and safety trial, which spared Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick of personal blame.

The coroner began bringing together the final account of how the innocent Brazilian met his death on a south London Tube train.

It is the last stage before the 11-person jury, which has sat since September 22, is sent out to consider its verdicts.

Jurors heard from 100 witnesses, including the two men who shot dead the innocent Brazilian at point-blank range on a carriage at Stockwell station on July 22, 2005.

For the first time, the public was given a full account of the incident from key witnesses on board the Underground carriage where the shooting took place. Key controversies involving surveillance outside his Tulse Hill home, incidents in the control room at New Scotland Yard, and Mr de Menezes' journey towards Stockwell were also examined at length.

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

Department store Debenhams is to hold a second price cutting campaign this week amid speculation of a fresh round of sales on the high street.

Debenhams, the UK's second-biggest department store chain with 147 shops, announced it will offer up to 20% off items for three days.

It follows a similar three day sale two weeks ago which it extended for a further two days.

The announcement follows speculation that Marks & Spencer is to repeat its 20%-off sale of November 20 - the retailer's biggest one-day promotion for four years.

An M&S spokeswoman declined to comment on reports that a second sale would go ahead on Thursday.

Widespread price-cutting on the high street in recent weeks comes as retailers voice concerns that trading this Christmas could be the worst for many years.

Debenhams said its earlier sales days led to customer numbers increasing by about two thirds.

Michael Sharp, Debenhams deputy chief executive, said: "We're back by popular demand - it's as simple as that."

Online retailer Littlewoods Direct also announced a sale including 60% off 5,000 lines and 3-for-2 on toys and gifts until December 23.

The retailer's chief executive, Mark Newton-Jones, said: "As retailers, if we are serious in our claims to be putting our customers first, we have to make bold decisions on our prices and discounts."

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

British Airways has revealed it is in talks over a potential merger with Australian rival Qantas.

Shares in BA jumped 14% after the Heathrow-based operator said it was looking to achieve a tie-up through a dual-listed company structure.

BA confirmed that separate merger talks with Spain's Iberia were continuing.

BA said in a statement: "In response to recent media speculation, British Airways confirms that it is exploring a potential merger with Qantas Airways via a dual-listed company structure.

"The discussions between British Airways and Iberia are continuing.

"There is no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming and a further announcement will be made in due course, if appropriate."

Speculation over a possible tie-up with Qantas has surfaced following indications that the Australian government is prepared to review ownership restrictions relating to the Australian flag carrier.

BA sold its 18% stake in Qantas in 2004, having secured a 25% holding in 1993.

There is currently a 25% individual foreign ownership limit, but Qantas could gain more flexibility to pursue a tie-up with a foreign carrier if it only needed to meet the requirement that it is 51% Australian owned.

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

India was warned of a terrorist attack by US intelligence officials before the Mumbai massacre, it has emerged.

A senior official in the Bush administration said they passed on information that terrorists appeared to be plotting a mostly water-borne attack on India's financial capital.

The news comes with the Indian government already facing widespread accusations of security and intelligence failures after the three-day attack which killed 172 people and wounded 239.

One Indian official admitted it picked up intelligence in recent months that Pakistan-based terrorists were plotting attacks against Mumbai targets.

The information was then relayed to domestic security authorities, said the official. But it is unclear if the government acted on the intelligence.

The famous Taj Mahal hotel, scene of much of the bloodshed, had tightened security with metal detectors and other measures in the weeks before the attacks, after being warned of a possible threat.

Indian officials have continued to interrogate the only surviving attacker, who reportedly told police that he and the other nine gunmen had trained for months in camps in Pakistan operated by the banned Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Meanwhile its government demanded Islamabad hand over suspected terrorists believed living in Pakistan.

A list of about 20 people -- including India's most-wanted man -- was submitted to Pakistan's high commissioner to India, said India's foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee.

India has already demanded Pakistan take "strong action" against those responsible for the attacks, and the US has pressured Islamabad to cooperate in the investigation.

-Nova

[JohnCenaFan28]

A long running pay dispute between the Government and civil servants, which threatened to spark a winter of discontent, has been resolved.

The Public and Commercial Services union said there had been a breakthrough in the row following weeks of intensive talks.

Money from efficiency savings will now be released for pay bargaining in individual departments and related public bodies, said the union.

Officials added the government had also pledged there was no 2% cap on pay increases.

Mark Serwotka, the union's general secretary, said: "This agreement is an important breakthrough and forms a positive basis on which we can take the union's pay campaign forward.

"Over the coming weeks and months we will be ensuring that this agreement produces better pay for the low paid civil and public servants who deliver the everyday things we take for granted. We will also be seeking to address our remaining concerns over pay though further talks."

Civil servants ranging from jobcentre and benefits staff to coastguard workers, have taken industrial action in recent months and were threatening a national walkout.

-Nova

[Black Widow]

Official: Boat carrying 1,000 passengers 'very fortunate' to escape hijack bid

NAIROBI, Kenya - Pirates chased and shot at a U.S. cruise ship with more than 1,000 people on board but failed to hijack the vessel as it sailed along a corridor patrolled by international warships, officials said Tuesday.

The captain of the M/S Nautica ordered passengers inside and gunned the engine, allowing the ship to outrun the pirates' speedboats in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday, a company spokesman said.

"It is very fortunate that the liner managed to escape," said Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Malaysia. He urged ships to remain vigilant in the area.

In a statement on its Web site, Oceania Cruises, Inc. said pirates fired eight rifle shots at the liner, but that the ship's captain increased speed and managed to outrun the skiffs.

"When the pirates were sighted, the captain went on the public address system and asked passengers to remain in the interior spaces of the ship and wait until he gave further instructions," said Tim Rubacky, spokesman for Oceania. "Within five minutes, it was over," he said.

All passengers and crew are safe and there was no damage to the vessel, the company statement said. Rubacky said the ship planned to return through the Gulf of Aden.

Choong said the ship was carrying 656 international passengers and 399 crew members.

The International Maritime Bureau, which fights maritime crime, did not know how many cruise liners use the waters, where hijacking of freighters and tankers has become a constant threat in spite of patrols by an international flotilla.

The U.N. Security Council extended for another year its authorization for countries to enter Somalia's territorial waters with advance notice and use "all necessary means" to stop piracy and armed robbery at sea. Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the pirates' goals are "ever-expanding."

The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, said it was aware of the failed hijacking of the cruise ship — a sign of the pirates' growing ambition — but had no further details.

The Nautica was on a 32-day cruise from Rome to Singapore, with stops at ports in Italy, Egypt, Oman, Dubai, India, Malaysia and Thailand, the Web site said. Based on that schedule, the liner was headed from Egypt to Oman when it was attacked.

The liner arrived in the southern Oman port city of Salalah on Monday morning, and the passengers toured the city before leaving for the capital, Muscat, Monday evening, an official of the Oman Tourism Ministry said Tuesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

It is not the first time a cruise liner has been attacked. In 2005, pirates opened fire on the Seabourn Spirit about 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the Somali coast. The faster cruise ship managed to escape, and used a long-range acoustic device — which blasts a painful wave of sound — to distract the pirates.

The International Maritime Bureau, in London, cited only the 2005 liner attack and a raid on the luxury yacht Le Ponant earlier this year as attacks on passenger vessels off Somalia.

Tough to stop

International warships patrol the area and have created a security corridor in the region under a U.S.-led initiative, but attacks on shipping have not abated.

In about 100 attacks on ships off the Somali coast this year, 40 vessels have been hijacked, Choong said. Fourteen remain in the hands of pirates along with more than 250 crew members.

In two if the most daring attacks, pirates seized a Ukrainian freighter loaded with 33 battle tanks in September, and on Nov. 15, a Saudi oil tanker carrying $100 million worth of crude oil.

On Tuesday, a Somali pirate spokesman said his group will release the Ukrainian ship within the next two days.

Sugule Ali told The Associated Press by satellite phone on Tuesday a ransom agreement had been reached, but would not say how much. The pirates had originally asked for $20 million when they hijacked the MV Faina.

"Once we receive this payment, we will also make sure that all our colleagues on ship reach land safely, then the release will take place," Ali said. He was not afraid of warships intervening, he said.

"We know that the quantity of the equipment on the ship and the valuable lives we held hostage will help us remain onboard and get ransom."

NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday focused almost immediately on demands for NATO to act amid growing alarm over the attacks on shipping. The attacks have continued unabated despite a NATO naval mission over the past six weeks.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, and pirates have taken advantage of the country's lawlessness to launch attacks on foreign shipping from the Somali coast.


MSNBC