Briefly World

Murdoch offers 2 mn to Dowlers: Reports

LONDON: The family of slain British teenager Milly Dowler,whose phone was allegedly hacked by members of the now defunct tabloid News of the World,is reportedly being offered 2 million by media baron Rupert Murdoch as part of a settlement deal. Media reports suggest the figure would include a 1m donation to charity.

6 filmmakers arrested in Iran,says BBC

LONDON: Six independent filmmakers have been detained in Iran,the BBC said Monday,describing it as an attempt to pressure the broadcaster over its coverage of the countrys clerical regime. The BBC said its Farsi-language service had bought the rights to their films in the past. Iranian state television reported the group was providing the broadcaster with negative news reports on Iran.

Gunmen from Congo kill 36 at pub in Burundi

BUJUMBURA: Armed men from Congo burst into a pub in Burundi and killed 36 people,an official said Monday. One wounded man said an attacker yelled: Make sure theres no survivors. Bujumbura province governor Jacques Minani said the attackers targeted the pub in Gatumba,west of Burundis capital,after crossing the river from Congo.

UK mulls passports with third gender category

LONDON: Britain could introduce a third gender category to British passports allowing citizens of indeterminate sex to opt out of standard male and female identification,a Home Office official said Monday. Under the proposals,those of indeterminate sex may be able to use an X to denote their gender on passports,rather than M or F.