World Digest
Russia's Putin defends move to centralize power

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Putin's speech at a conference of international news executives came amid growing criticism in Russia and abroad over his moves to centralize government power after the Beslan school massacre in southern Russia. He has moved to end direct election of governors and legislators.

"Russia made its choice 10 years ago for a democratic, free market, socially oriented state," he said. "There will be no turnabout."

Rebel leader blames Basayev for siege

Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov says another militant chief, Shamil Basayev, should go on trial for the school siege in the southern Russian city of Beslan that killed nearly 340 people, according to a statement released yesterday.

In a statement posted on a rebel Web site, Maskhadov, who has denied any involvement in the Sept. 1-3 siege, pledged to bring his former deputy to justice once the war in Chechnya ends.

"I categorically declare that after the end of the war, persons who are guilty of carrying out provocative acts will be taken to court, including Shamil Basayev," said Maskhadov, who was elected Chechnya's president in 1997 after it won de facto independence in the first war in 1994-96.

There was no way to confirm the authenticity of Maskhadov statement, but the same rebel Web site has carried his other statements in the past.

Russian officials have blamed both Maskhadov and Basayev for the seizure of the school. Basayev has taken responsibility for the attack.

Nova Scotia to allow same-sex marriages

Nova Scotia yesterday became the fifth of Canada's 10 provinces to allow gay couples to marry when the provincial supreme court ruled that banning same-sex unions was unconstitutional.
 
CBC television showed film of people inside the Halifax court applauding after Judge Heather Robertson announced her decision. Canada's Supreme Court will hear a case next week on proposed national legislation that would allow gay marriage.

Dozens killed in militant fighting in Nigeria

A gunbattle between security forces and Islamic militants fighting to create a Taliban-style state in northern Nigeria left 29 people dead, most of them militants, police said yesterday.

The radical sect known as Al-Sunna wal Jamma comprises mainly university students seeking to create a Taliban-style state in Africa's most populous nation.

Dominican president's wealth to be investigated

Authorities will investigate whether former President Hipolito Mejia enriched himself while presiding over the economic collapse of his country, the head of the government's anti-corruption agency said yesterday.

In a filing of his assets, the agronomist-turned-politician said he was worth $1.26 million. He was worth about $1 million in 2000, and earned $2,400 a month during the four years he was president. He also built two country villas worth $270,000 while in office.