News in Brief

Russian deputy PM Surkov quits

Afp, Moscow
Influential Russian deputy prime minister Vladislav Surkov, known as a strategist who designed Russia's tightly-controlled politics, has resigned, the Kremlin said yesterday.
The Kremlin said in a statement that Surkov had left his post voluntarily.
Surkov, 48, has been considered the ideologue of Putin's domestic political strategy who oversaw political parties in parliament, electoral campaigns and the tightly controlled media.

Cargo ship rams Italy port; 9 killed

Afp, Genoa
Nine people were feared dead yesterday after a container ship smashed into a control tower in Genoa in a night-time accident that left several missing and revived painful memories in Italy of a deadly cruise ship disaster last year.
Around 14 people were in the 50-metre (164-foot) high glass-topped tower when it was hit by the ship's stern as it ploughed into the dock. Some were thrown into the cold water, while others were trapped under rubble or in a lift which may have toppled into the sea, media reports said.
The vast red ship was following protocol and navigating towards the control tower, when it failed to reverse properly before turning out into open sea and rammed into the concrete and metal structure. Initial reports suggested it had suffered a mechanical failure.

Mexico gas tanker blast kills 24

Afp, Ecatepec
A gas tanker's container came loose and exploded on a highway north of Mexico City on Tuesday, landing between homes and setting fires that killed at least 24 people and injured dozens.
The blast rocked the suburb of Ecatepec before dawn, injuring at least 36 people and damaging some 15 cars and 40 homes, officials said. Ten children were among the dead and eight more were wounded.
Nearby buildings, cars and trucks caught fire after the tanker exploded at around 5:30am in the poor community of San Pedro Xalostoc, which is part of the municipality of Ecatepec.

Hackers target Thai PM

Afp, Bangkok
Hackers infiltrated the website of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's office yesterday, posting offensive comments in the latest attack on her character.
The words "I'm a slutty moron" appeared briefly alongside a picture of a smiling Yingluck, followed by "I know that I am the worst Prime Minister ever in Thailand history!!!". It was signed by "Unlimited Hack Team".
The government quickly shut down the website and warned the perpetrators they faced tough punishment if caught.