Briefly World

An Italian court convicted three Google executives of privacy violations on Wednesday because they did not act quickly enough to pull down a video online that showed bullies abusing an autistic boy.

Google execs convicted for privacy violation

MILAN: An Italian court convicted three Google executives of privacy violations on Wednesday because they did not act quickly enough to pull down a video online that showed bullies abusing an autistic boy. In the first such criminal trial of its kind,the judge sentenced the three to a six-month suspended sentence and absolved them of defamation charges. A fourth defendant,charged only with defamation,was acquitted. Google called the decision astonishing and said it would appeal.

Greek crisis: Clashes break out during protests

Athens: Protesters clash with riot police during an anti-government rally in Athens. Greek police fired teargas at a group of protesting youths on the margins of a march against the governments EU-backed austerity plans on Wednesday.

Israel to push China to support Iran sanctions

JERUSALEM: Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer flew to China on Wednesday to urge Beijing to back tough sanctions against Iran over its suspected nuclear weapons project. Fischer was accompanied by Israels Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon and representatives of Israels National Security Council,Yaalons spokesman said. They will discuss issues of common interest with the Chinese. This includes the Iranian issue,which is important for the Chinese as well as Israel,he said.

Nine militants killed in US drone strike in Pak

Peshawar: At least nine militants were killed and several injured when a US drone fired missiles targeting an insurgent hideout in an area in Pakistans North Waziristan tribal region. The drone fired two missiles at a house and a vehicle in Dargah Mandi area,several kilometres north of Miranshah,the main town in North Waziristan Agency. The attack came hours after FBI chief Robert Mueller arrived in Islamabad for talks on the war against terror.

Nigerian President returns home: Official

LAGOS: Nigerias ailing President Umaru YarAdua returned home on Wednesday after a long stay in a Saudi hospital,an advisor said,though the leader apparently was whisked away by an ambulance in the night and left his Vice-President in control of the oil-rich nation. The Vice-President was due to meet with YarAduas wife not him sparking new worries about whether the President will ever resume power or just came home to die.

Italy oil spill threatens ecological disaster

ROME: An oil spill that fouled a small river in northern Italy reached the Po River on Wednesday,with officials warning of an ecological disaster as they scrambled to contain the sludge before it contaminated Italys longest and most important river. Milan regional officials said the cause was certainly sabotage at a former refinery turned oil depot,since the cisterns were opened and the oil allowed to flow unimpeded into the Lambro River near Monza.