World Briefs

The number of knife crime deaths in the UK has risen in areas targeted by a government anti-knife scheme although the overall number of violent incidents fell, the Home Office said yesterday.

The Tackling Knives Action Programme was launched in 10 areas of England and Wales last July amid concern about the rising number of teenage knife murders.

Figures showed that in the first nine months of operation, the number of killings involving a "sharp instrument" among those under 19 was unchanged and there was an increase in the number of deaths among those over 20.

In total in the areas covered by TKAP there were 126 killings, seven more than in the same period a year earlier.

However, the overall number of violent knife offences dropped, with a 17 per cent reduction in the teenage age group. There was also a large reduction, 32 per cent, in the number of teenagers being admitted to hospital with stab wounds. (Reuters)

Stand by me!

Most men would not want to be in a room with their estranged wife, current girlfriend and two former mistresses, but Allen Stanford is not most men.

The women, who have enjoyed million-dollar homes and luxury lifestyles, appear united in their loyalty to the Texas financier who faces criminal charges for an alleged $7 billion Ponzi scheme.

Mr Stanford, whose net worth was estimated at $2.2 billion by Forbes magazine in 2008, was initially granted bail by a judge, but prosecutors successfully argued he was a flight risk and his release order was revoked.

Both times Mr Stanford, 59, has appeared before a judge in Houston, his supporters have included his parents and extended family, former lovers who are the mothers of his children, some of whom have been in court, and his current girlfriend. (Reuters)

Johnny Depp's pirate ship slows

Johnny Depp is coming off an acclaimed role in Public Enemies and stars in one of the most anticipated movies of this weekend's Comic-Con, Alice in Wonderland.

But the Mad Hatter is facing an unusual situation: Like the character he plays in Alice, he soon could be killing time.

Mr Depp is attached to a number of high-profile development properties but is facing a landscape devoid of "go" pictures - those ready for production. Instead, there are a dizzying number of possibilities and schedule permutations, none of which seems likely to result in a produced movie for him anytime soon.

The fourth instalment of Pirates of the Caribbean remains a priority for Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. At an earlier point, it was going to be the next picture for Mr Depp, who toplines as Jack Sparrow. But with Gore Verbinski no longer directing the franchise, the ship has slowed. (Reuters)

Tribute to Fleet Street

A new restaurant at 85 Fleet Street in London features a design that highlights the role the building once played as headquarters of Reuters news agency, one of the world's major media organisations.

Fleet Street was renowned as a buzzing centre of the printing and newspaper publishing industries from 1500 when Wynkyn de Worde established a printing press near St Bride's church until the latter part of the 20th century when media organizations moved away from the "Street of Adventure."

The press in Britain is still collectively referred to as "Fleet Street"

Now, chef David Burke creates food for customers in several dining spaces modernised by contemporary British designer Terence Conran on the two lower floors of the original building, which was designed and built in the 1930s by British architect Edward Lutyens. (Reuters)

Chimps die from AIDS-like disease

Chimpanzees infected with the ape version of HIV can die of an AIDS-like disease, a finding that challenges conventional beliefs that chimps are immune to the virus, according to a study released yesterday.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a pathogen circulating in African animal primates, is believed by many scientists to be a precursor of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS.

Until now, SIV was thought to be unable to wreck apes' immune systems in the same way that HIV causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans. (AFP)

Tourists injured by bomb in Croatia

Two Austrian holidaymakers and a Croat were injured when a bomb went off under a car at a popular tourist destination on Croatia's Adriatic coast, police said.

The blast struck while the car was being driven along the waterfront of the central port town of Sibenik, according to a police statement which said the vehicle's occupants escaped unharmed.

But shrapnel or debris from the blast hit the Austrians who were on a boat anchored nearby, as well as the Croatian national who was sitting outside a cafe.

The foreign victims were treated at the scene, and the Croat was taken to hospital for treatment. (AFP)

Jackson aimed to direct a movie

Three months before his death, Michael Jackson committed to co-directing and financing a movie - a poignant drama about foster children - and planned to get started as soon as he completed his London concerts.

The news is the latest in a series of revelations that are helping to shed light on the pop star's passions and projects, even as the investigation into his abuse of prescription drugs and a tussle over custody of his children rage on.

The movie project also is eerily keyed to one of the most haunting aspects of Jackson's life: his apparent feeling that the Jackson 5's huge success robbed him of his childhood. (Reuters)