World briefing

Collapsing wall kills 19

The wall of a warehouse under construction collapsed in western India, killing at least 19 labourers and injuring six others.

They were working at the site when the wall came crashing down in Kuthari, a village on the outskirts of Mumbai, India's financial and entertainment capital.

Ruling on assisted suicide for mentally ill

A ruling by Switzerland's highest court has opened up the possibility that people with serious mental illnesses could be helped by doctors to take their own lives. Switzerland already allows physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients under certain circumstances. The Federal Tribunal's decision, which was released on Friday, puts mental illnesses on the same level as physical ones.

'It must be recognised that an incurable, permanent, serious mental disorder can cause similar suffering as a physical [disorder], making life appear unbearable to the patient in the long term,' the ruling said.
Associated Press

Bloody clashes and kidnappings end ceasefire

Fatah and Hamas clashed at cabinet ministries, universities and security headquarters yesterday in defiance of a truce that was to have calmed the seething Gaza Strip.

Twelve people were wounded by late morning, hospital officials said. Fatah claimed Hamas kidnapped 40 of its security officials at roadblocks.

The ceasefire agreement was announced late on Friday, on the deadliest single day of battles between the two sides, which have been locked in a power struggle since the Islamic militant Hamas ousted Fatah from power last year.

Palestinian officials said the deal was approved by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Hamas's supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal.

But the ceasefire - the second announced this week - showed no signs of taking hold.