Park a ‘traitor’

SEOUL: North Korea yesterday called disgraced former South Korean president Park Geun-hye a “traitor” responsible for “extralarge hideous corruption”, in its reaction to the sentencing of Park to 24 years in prison on corruption charges.

The insults carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency came after the Seoul district court found Park guilty on a variety of charges, including abusing her power and taking tens of millions of dollars from companies in bribes and through extortion.

Rebel shelling kills 5

DAMASCUS: Five civilians were killed and 30 others wounded yesterday by rebels’ mortar shells amid a military showdown in the Douma district, according to reports.

The Islam Army’s salvo hit several neighbourhoods, prompting the army to respond. Three batches of the Islam Army and families withdrew from Douma recently, but as the fourth was set to leave, an agreement mediated by Russia collapsed amid reports of new demands by the rebels, mainly to remain in the area with its weapons.

Husband arrested

LAGOS: Police in Nigeria have arrested the Danish husband of a popular local musician who was killed, along with their 4-year-old daughter.

Police spokesperson Chike Godwin Oti said Zainab Nielsen, 29, known as Alizee, and her daughter were killed on Thursday in their apartment.

Alizee was popular among Nigerian youths, and was set to perform on April 29 in Warri.

Last year, she signed a lucrative deal with Japan-based Petra Entertainment.

Russell Crowe-ing

CANBERRA: The torso armour Russell Crowe wore for his Oscarwinning role in Gladiator eclipsed expectations at a Sydney auction, selling for A$125000 (R1.15million).

Sotheby’s Australia estimated the stunt cuirass worn in the

2000 blockbuster would fetch A$20000-A$30000. But much of the memorabilia auctioned by the actor yesterday, his 54th birthday, as part of his divorce settlement, exceeded expectations.

– Ap/xinhua/african News Agency/ana