World datelines

Compiled from Deseret News wire services
Published: Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 12:50 a.m. MDT
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China: Milk chemical-free

BEIJING — China's food safety watchdog said Sunday no traces of the industrial chemical melamine were found in new tests of milk powder sold domestically, as officials sought to restore public trust in milk supplies. The tests of 129 batches of baby milk powder and 212 batches of other kinds of milk powder showed they were free from melamine contamination. Milk powder containing melamine has been blamed for killing four babies and sickening more than 54,000 infants with kidney stones and other illnesses in China. The latest tests were on baby formula and other kinds of milk powder produced after Sept. 14, when the scandal broke, the watchdog said.

India: Rebels claim killing

BHUBANESHWAR — Maoist rebels say they murdered a hard-line Hindu leader whose death triggered violence between Hindus and Christians that left dozens dead, a television news channel reported Sunday. Right-wing Hindu groups had blamed Christians for the Aug. 24 killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in the eastern state of Orissa. They set fire to a Christian orphanage, and mobs then attacked churches and Christian-owned shops and homes. At least 28 people have been killed in villages across the state. A Maoist group claimed responsibility for the killing and accused the state government of stoking tensions between Hindus and Christians, the NDTV news channel reported.

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Mexico: Storm strengthens

MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Norbert strengthened well off Mexico's southern Pacific coast Sunday and threatened to become a hurricane in 24 hours, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Norbert formed overnight and was centered 250 miles south of Zihuatanejo, a resort town north of Acapulco. It had winds of 60 mph. But its northwestern path was taking it farther from land, said Jamie Rhome, a hurricane specialist with the Miami-based center. There were only sporadic rains in Guerrero state, home to Acapulco and Zihuatanejo, where local elections took place as planned.

Sweden: Medicine finalists

STOCKHOLM — Two scientists who have won acclaim for research into the growth of cancer cells could be candidates for the Nobel Prize in medicine when the 2008 winners are presented on today, kicking off six days of Nobel announcements. Australian-born U.S. citizen Elizabeth Blackburn and American Carol Greider have already won a series of medical honors for their enzyme research and experts say they could be among the front-runners for a Nobel. Only seven women have won the medicine prize since the first Nobel Prizes were handed out in 1901. The last female winner was U.S. researcher Linda Buck in 2004, who shared the prize with Richard Axel. Among the pair's possible rivals are Frenchman Pierre Chambon and Americans Ronald Evans and Elwood Jensen, who opened up the field of studying proteins called nuclear hormone receptors.

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An anti-government protester cheers a speaker Sunday at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai police made arrests Sunday in a continuing crackdown against the anti-government movement. (Apichart Weerawong, Associated Press)
Apichart Weerawong, Associated Press
An anti-government protester cheers a speaker Sunday at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand. Thai police made arrests Sunday in a continuing crackdown against the anti-government movement.