World Briefs

Argentinian police used force to remove sacked workers occupying a Kraft Foods factory since last month.

Authorities used tear gas and rubber bullets against union members throwing sticks and rocks. The court-ordered evacuation could resolve a dispute that started when US-based Kraft Foods Inc. made about 160 workers redundant. (PA)

Woman with wrong embryo gives birth

A US woman who had the wrong embryo implanted by a fertility clinic gave birth to a boy.

Sean and Carolyn Savage said in a statement that the "healthy baby boy" was delivered last Thursday in Toledo, Ohio.

The Savages offered their "heartfelt congratulations" to the baby's biological parents, Paul and Shannon Morell of Michigan.

They said their family is going through a very difficult time and requested privacy in the days ahead.

The Savages said the fertility clinic transferred the wrong frozen embryo to Mrs Savage's womb in early February. (PA)

Senator sworn in

Former Democratic Party chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr was sworn in as the temporary replacement in the US Senate for his longtime friend, the late Edward Kennedy.

The Boston attorney, 71, will serve in the interim post until Massachusetts voters pick a replacement in a January 19 special election.

Mr Kennedy died on August 25 after a year-long battle with brain cancer. (PA)

Carbon fee passed

California air regulators approved the US's first statewide carbon fee on utilities, oil refineries and other polluting industries.

The money raised by the California Air Resources Board, which voted 9-0, is intended to pay for the bureaucratic expenses of carrying out the state's 2006 global warming law, which requires greenhouse gas emissions statewide to be reduced by 25 per cent over the next decade.

The fee will be imposed at the end of 2010 and raise $63.1 million annually during its first three years. The amount will level off at $36.2 million in the fifth year. (PA)

Oil refinery venture

Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said Venezuela is moving forward with plans to build a refinery with Brazil.

He said Venezuela's state oil company expected to sign an agreement with Brazil's government-controlled etrobras before the end of the year.

Mr Ramirez told reporters that Venezuela will obtain financing for its $300 million down payment from a Brazilian bank. (PA)

Rowling defies fakes with a few Twitters

The real JK Rowling has signed up to Twitter, it was confirmed yesterday.

Wanting to counter numerous fake Rowlings on Twitter, the Harry Potter author has set up her own account. But she warned she didn't plan many tweets. She wrote in a Tweet dated September 17: "I should flag up now that although I could twitter endlessly, I'm afraid you won't be hearing from me very often as pen and paper is my priority at the moment."

The account, http://twitter. com/jk_rowling, was first reported yesterday by the fan site www.the-leaky-cauldron.org, then confirmed by Potter publisher Scholastic Inc. (PA)

Fleet's new commander

Admiral Patrick M. Walsh took over as the commander of the US Pacific Fleet. The Navy said Admiral Walsh assumed control of the fleet's 80 ships and 1,500 aircraft at a ceremony at Pearl Harbour.

He succeeds Admiral Robert F. Willard, who is becoming the top US military commander in the Asia-Pacific region as head of the US Pacific Command. Admiral Willard succeeds Admiral Timothy Keating, who is retiring. (PA)