Disgraced US general gets to keep fourth star
WASHINGTON • The Pentagon willnot strip David Petraeus of his fourth star for providing his mistress with classified information, a scandal that forced the resignation of a man feted for changing the course of the Iraq War.
The retired general was given two years' probation and fined US$100,000 (S$142,000) last year over the matter after a guilty plea in a United States court.
The loss of his fourth star would have been a symbolic slap in the face for the military icon who is still widely respected.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Protests against continued state of emergency in France
PARIS • Thousands of people have marched through Paris and in other French cities to decry the proposed extension of a state of emergency imposed after the Paris attacks last November.
Braving driving rain and shouting slogans such as "state of emergency - police state", the marchers protested loudly against a measure they see as curbing human rights.
The police estimated that 5,000 people took part, while organisers said there were about 20,000.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Moscow factory blaze claims 12 lives, including children
MOSCOW • At least 12 people, including three children, perished in a fire in a Moscow factory that caused the roof to collapse, the Russian authorities said yesterday.
Investigators said the blaze engulfed an area covering 3,000 sq m in a clothing factory situated in the east of the Russian capital, according to local media.
The authorities said the victims of the fire were likely migrants who worked and lived at the factory.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE