World datelines

Canada: Roof cave-in kills 3

MONTREAL — The snow-covered roof of a food warehouse in Canada caved in on Wednesday, killing three women who were crushed below the weight of debris.

The women were located by rescuers hours after they were trapped under the rubble at the site of the collapse in Morin Heights, north of Montreal. All three were taken by ambulance to a hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Cuba: A trial no-show?

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE — An Afghan detainee said Wednesday that he wants to boycott his trial at Guantanamo Bay and railed against the proceedings as unfair and illegal.

Mohammed Jawad, who is accused of throwing a grenade that wounded two U.S. soldiers, initially refused to attend his first pretrial hearing, delaying its start.

France: Oldest vet dies

PARIS — France's last remaining veteran of World War I died Wednesday at age 110 after outliving 8.4 million Frenchmen who fought in what they called "la Grande Guerre."

Lazare Ponticelli, who was born in Italy but chose to fight for France and was a French citizen for most of the past century, died at his home in a Paris suburb, the national veterans' office said.

Greece: Work stoppage

ATHENS — Professional workers and members of Greece's largest trade union staged a three-hour work stoppage Wednesday, joining striking electrical workers and garbage collectors in their protest of legislation to overhaul the country's pension system.

It was the latest show of swelling labor unrest over the controversial bill, which is scheduled to go before parliament next week.

Mexico: Cartel figure caught

MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities announced Wednesday that they have captured a U.S. citizen alleged to be a top member of a major drug cartel and said they will send him back to the United States immediately.

Gustavo Rivera Martinez, 46, reputed to be a top member of the Tijuana-based Arellano Felix cartel, will be turned over to agents of the U.S. government.

Nigeria: Vessel hijacked

LAGOS — Gunmen hijacked a vessel carrying six Nigerians on Wednesday in the restive southern oil region, security officials said.

A private security official said assailants attacked the vessel on a creek near the oil hub of Port Harcourt and were demanding ransom for the hostages.

Russia: Report blasted

MOSCOW — Year after year, the U.S. issues a troubling assessment of human rights in Russia.

Year after year, Russia lashes back.

In a sometimes bitter, sometimes sarcastic statement Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said the portrayal of Russia in the 2007 report was prejudiced, mistaken, poorly sourced and counterproductive.