World in brief

Prisoner gets OK for sex change op

United States: Judges have ruled that a transgender Massachusetts prisoner serving life for murder should receive a sex-change operation.

District Judge Mark Wolf ruled that the Department of Correction must provide the surgery because it is the only way to treat Michelle Kosilek's "serious medical need."

Ms Kosilek was named Robert when convicted of murdering wife Cheryl Kosilek in 1990.

She now lives as a woman in an all-male prison.

Disputed islands buy bid 'illegal'

Japan: Media reported today that the government is poised to buy several disputed islands which have fuelled international tensions in the region in recent weeks.

China responded by calling the reported purchase of the islands, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese, "illegal and invalid."

Police search for settler vandals

Israel: Police were hunting extremist Jewish settlers today after a landmark monastery was vandalised.

Unknown attackers daubed anti-Christian and pro-settler graffiti on the Trappist monastery at Latrun, along the road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Latrun was seized by Israel during the 1967 war.

Berlin clamps down on snip

Germany: Berlin became the first of the country's 16 states to place strict conditions on infant male circumcision for religious reasons today.

Justice Minister Thomas Heilmann's announcement followed a regional court ruling that said the procedure amounted to criminal bodily harm to a child.

Spy chief extradited

Libya: Mauritania announced today that it has extradited former Libyan spy chief Abdullah al-Senoussi back to his home country.

Mauritania had previously defended its right to try the prisoner on its own territory.

Lynott mother slams song use

N Ireland: Thin Lizzy star Phil Lynott's mother has hit out at rabid US Republicans' use of her son's music in their presidential election campaign.

Mitt Romney running mate Paul Ryan's team used hit song The Boys are Back in Town when he appeared at a party convention last week.

Philomena Lynott told BBC Radio she was disgusted when she found out.

"He would not want his music to be played by people whose politics are against gay people - what is wrong with gay people?"

Chavez welcomes Farc peace talks

Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez congratulated neighbour Colombia's government and Farc rebels over peace talks due to take place in Norway in October.

He said: "This doesn't have a military solution, I've said it before.

"It needs a political solution at a discussion table looking for agreement points so the guerilla fighters can lay down their weapons, hopefully with the guarantee and respect of a political life."

Lynas rare earths mine gets permit

MALAYSIA: Australian mining firm Lynas Corp said today that it has finally been given a permit to switch on a "rare earths" mine to extract valuable minerals in the east of the country.

Locals backed by activists have waged a long campaign against the project which they fear will see toxic and radioactive waste enter the environment.

The firm claims it will be "fully compliant" with international standards.

'Gay cure' GP loses job

Australia: A doctor has been banned from working as a GP after prescribing an 18-year-old medication to "cure" his homosexuality.

The pair were both members of conservative Christian cult the Exclusive Brethren.