World News: Abducted British aid worker 'on way to place of safety'

A BRITISH aid worker abducted by masked gunmen in Somalia was today said to be "on his way to a place of safety" six days after his ordeal began.

Zimbabwe-born consultant Frans Barnard, who was working for Save the Children, was taken from a guesthouse compound in Adado, a small town close to the border with Ethiopia, on Thursday night.

Anna Ford, the charity's spokeswoman in Nairobi, said: "We understand that he is on his way to a place of safety. We are cautiously optimistic but, until he is there, we are continuing to be concerned for him."

A Somali national who was also taken from the compound with him was released unharmed within hours.

The men were working with the charity as it carried out a feasibility assessment into setting up a programme to help sick and malnourished children and their families in the area.

Tensions have been running high in the lawless region, where armed forces include pirate gangs and factions of militias allied to the government.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the reports and are investigating."

Johnson 'nearly shot by agent'

PRESIDENT Lyndon B Johnson was nearly shot by a US agent hours after John F Kennedy's assassination.

In a new book, Gerald Blaine recalls guarding Johnson's home, hearing footsteps and, in the darkness, pointing his submachine gun at a man who turned out to be Johnson.

Eleven dead in market attack

Gunmen in Pakistan have opened fire in a commercial market, killing 11 people.

The attack in Karachi is the latest violence to rock the city, which is Pakistan's main economic hub. At least 51 people, including several political activists, have been killed since Saturday.

US military to accept gays

The US military has started accepting openly gay recruits after a federal judge in California overturned the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

At least three service members who were discharged for being gay have now began the process to re-enlist after the ruling and several others said they plan to try to rejoin this week.

The Defence Department said it would comply with the judge's order and had frozen any discharge cases.

Unions block French fuel depot

Trade unions in the south of France have blocked a major fuel depot supplying both civil and military airports.

The country was today braced for another day of public sector strikes and protests against plans to raise the retirement age.

Air force chief faces life for double killing

Canada: The commander of the country's largest air force base faces life in prison after pleading guilty to stalking, raping and killing two women.

Colonel Russell Williams also admitted 82 breaking-and-entering charges during which he stole women's lingerie.

China: Thousands of Tibetan students staged marches in western China to protest against the forced use of Mandarin Chinese in schools.