News in Brief

WHO reduces Ebola death toll to 4,818
Afp, Geneva

The World Health Organization on Wednesday reduced its Ebola data, showing a smaller death toll in eight countries than earlier indicated as some cases recorded previously turned out to have arisen from other factors. The new toll stands at 4,818 deaths, rather than 4,951 reported on October 31, the UN health agency said. The number of reported cases has also fallen to 13,042 from 13,567.

Blast on train kills two Egypt cops
Afp, Cairo

Two Egyptian policemen were killed when a bomb exploded inside a train carriage north of Cairo on Wednesday, police officials said. The cops had been inspecting the rudimentary bomb after the train, in the Menufiya province north of Cairo, stopped at a station when the explosive went off, the officials said.

Israel tightens security after car attack
Afp, Jerusalem

Israel stepped up security along the Jerusalem light rail tracks yesterday after a deadly Palestinian car attack targeted passengers waiting at a station for the second time in a fortnight. During the attack, Ibrahim al-Akari, 38, from Shuafat refugee camp in annexed east Jerusalem, ran over three border policemen, killing one, before ramming his car into passengers waiting at the Shimon HaTsadik light rail stop.

AC/DC member charged with murder plot
Afp, Wellington

The drummer with legendary rock band AC/DC, Phil Rudd, was accused yesterday of trying to hire a hitman to kill two men after police raided his luxury New Zealand home. Police swooped on the veteran rocker's house in the early hours and charged him with "attempting to procure murder" and threatening to kill. Court officials confirmed Rudd was granted bail and ordered to reappear on November 27.