For shameful conduct, British army demotes goat

For shameful conduct,British army demotes goat
LONDON -- A British army regiment's ceremonial pet goat was demoted in disgrace after it marched out of line before a host of dignitaries during a parade to mark Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, a military spokesman said Saturday.
The military mascot, a 6-year-old male goat called Billy, pictured above with his handler, Lance Cpl. Dai Davies, 22, was downgraded from the rank of lance corporal to fusilier -- the same status as a private -- after army chiefs ruled his poor display had ruined the ceremony earlier this month at a British army base in Episkopi, western Cyprus.
Davies was unable to keep control during the June 16 march.
The mascot darted from side to side, throwing soldiers off their stride, Capt. Crispian Coates, a spokesman, said by telephone from the base in Cyprus.
"The goat, which has been the regiment's mascot since 2001, was supposed to be leading the march, but would not stay in line," Coates said. "After consideration, the commanding officer decided he had no option but to demote Billy."
Saudi forces arrest 42suspected of terrorism
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi security forces arrested 42 suspected terrorists, including four foreign nationals, reportedly involved in earlier attacks across the kingdom, the Interior Ministry said Saturday.
On Friday, Saudi security forces killed six suspected al-Qaida members and arrested a seventh after a shootout in the capital, Riyadh. One policeman was killed.
Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, launched an aggressive anti-terrorism campaign in May 2003 after suicide bombers linked to al-Qaida attacked three residential compounds in Riyadh.
Officials weigh allowinghunt for renegade bear
KUFSTEIN, Austria -- Authorities in Germany and Austria said Saturday they may allow hunters to shoot a marauding brown bear nicknamed Bruno after recent efforts to capture him alive failed. Anton Steiner, the forestry minister in the Austrian state of Tyrol, said the bear was a potential danger to humans. It has been on the loose since last month. "We see shooting it as the only possibility," Steiner said. "I know it's not a popular decision. The bear -- a fugitive from Italy officially named JJ1 but dubbed Bruno by the German press -- ambled into Germany last month, becoming the first wild bear seen in the country since 1835. He is part of a program in northern Italy to reintroduce the animals in the Alps.
Man convicted in schemeto cheat comatose woman
NEWARK, N.J. -- A man has been convicted of forging his comatose girlfriend's signature on the deed for the house they lived in and selling the property after she died.
A jury found Fermin Galvez, 43, guilty Friday of forgery, theft and other charges.
Galvez's girlfriend -- 55-year-old Alba Morales -- was dying of cancer and hospitalized in a coma in January 2005 when Galvez visited a lawyer's office with an unidentified woman posing as Morales, said John Anderson, an assistant Essex County prosecutor.
With a forged signature on the deed and his girlfriend supposedly present, Morales was able get his name added.
Morales died five days later. Galvez sold the house for $245,000, cutting out Morales' legal husband and children from their inheritance, Anderson said.
Iran remains mum on nuclear controversy
BERLIN -- Iran's foreign minister said he had "constructive talks" with his German counterpart Saturday but gave no indication of when Tehran would respond to international incentives to halt its nuclear program.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after meeting with Manouchehr Mottaki that Iran and the international community "are at a decisive phase: Either the conflict goes on or we seize the chance and the way to comprehensive cooperation with Iran."
He added that he expected Iran's answer on the international incentives "as soon as possible."
Associated Press