News In Brief

China tests stealth combat drone
Afp, Beijing

China has tested its first stealth combat drone, state media said yesterday, citing online photos of an aircraft resembling a shrunken US B2 bomber and hailing the advance toward Western-level technology.
The test flight of the "Sharp Sword" unmanned aircraft is another step in China's years-long military build-up, with its defence spending now the second highest in the world.

Iraq violence kills 13
Afp, Baghdad

Attacks mostly targeting Sunni-majority areas of Iraq killed 13 people yesterday as the minority community shuttered countless mosques nationwide, complaining that security forces were failing to provide adequate protection.

Libya militias leave Tripoli
Afp, Tripoli

Libyan militias including two groups from the western city of Zintan have withdrawn from the capital in response to public pressure nearly a week after deadly violence, they said Thursday.
On Tuesday, the government announced plans to remove militias from Tripoli and eventually integrate them into the security forces, after a weekend of deadly clashes between militiamen and residents.

Egypt cops get new powers after clashes
Afp, Cairo

Egypt's interim rulers gave police on Thursday the power to enter university campuses to quell protests without seeking prior permission, after a student was killed in clashes.
Previously, police had to obtain permission from the prosecutor general or university authorities before entering campuses or dormitories to deal with demonstrators or fighting.

LG collecting TV viewer habits data
Afp, Seoul

South Korea's LG Electronics yesterday said it would make correct a "bug" on some of its smart TVs after admitting they send information about viewers back to the company without their permission.
The world's second largest TV maker launched an investigation after UK-based IT consultant Jason Huntley raised the issue in a blog. He said LG continued to collect information on which channel he was watching.