brfs120307

World/nation briefs

Last update: December 2, 2007 - 8:02 PM

CUBA

Castro could keep hands on presidency

Fidel Castro was nominated for a seat in Cuba's parliament, leaving open the option for the ailing 81-year-old revolutionary, who has handed power over to his brother, to stay on as the island's president.

SOUTH KOREA

South Korean couple marry in North Korea

A South Korean couple was married at a mountain resort in North Korea, becoming the first South Koreans to hold a wedding in the communist country. Choe Jeong-in married Cho Ah-ra in a ceremony at a resort that was opened to South Korean tourists in 1998.

NEW ZEALAND

Medals of valor stolen from war museum

Nine Victoria Cross medals awarded to New Zealanders for acts of supreme gallantry in war were stolen from a museum. Army chief Maj. Gen. Lou Gardiner said burglars forced their way into an army museum at Waiouru on North Island to steal the medals, which represent the highest valor award in Britain and its former colonies.

PAKISTAN

Bhutto urges curbing pro-Taliban militancy

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said Sunday she would use economic as well as military means to defuse Pakistan's pro-Taliban insurgency, warning that "foreign forces" could invade unless the government curbs militancy.

HONG KONG

Pro-democracy leader wins legislative seat

A popular former government official won a seat in the legislature, a win she hailed as a victory for democracy in the Chinese territory. Anson Chan wants Hong Kong to be able to elect all its lawmakers and leader by 2012; now, only half the legislature is elected by voters.

CALIFORNIA

Game makers Vivendi, Activision to combine

Vivendi SA said that it plans to acquire a controlling stake in Activision Inc. and combine the video game publisher with Vivendi Games in a deal the companies valued at $18.9 billion. Santa Monica-based Activision's titles include "Guitar Hero"; Vivendi Games owns the online role-playing franchise "World of Warcraft."

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