Thu | May 21, 2026

International Briefs

Published:Tuesday | June 11, 2013 | 12:00 AM
In this May 22, 2013 photo, a malnourished 5-year-old Dieufort Jean stands in his kitchen holding a spoon as he waits for a meal in the community of Mabriole near the town of Belle Anse in Haiti. AP PHOTOS

Two-thirds face hunger in Haiti

BELLE ANSE (AP):

The hardship of hunger abounds amid the stone homes and teepee-like huts in the mountains along Haiti's southern coast.

The hair on broomstick-thin children has turned patchy and orangish, their stomachs have ballooned to the size of their heads and many look half their age, the tell-tale signs of malnutrition.

Mabriole town official Geneus Lissage fears that death is imminent for these children if Haitian authorities and humanitarian workers don't do more to stem the hunger problems.

"They will be counting bodies," Lissage said, "because malnutrition is ravaging children, youngsters and babies."

Prison food worker sends drugs to inmate

SAN JUAN (AP):

Federal agents say a Puerto Rican man working for a company that provides meals to prisons has been arrested for allegedly delivering narcotics to an inmate.

The FBI alleged yesterday that Abimael Bello Burgos received US$1,000 in cash from an undercover agent to deliver narcotics to an inmate at Bayamon State Prison.

At the time, Bello was working for a company called Canteen Correctional Services.

He has been charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin. It was not immediately known if Bello had a lawyer.

The case is being investigated by the US Attorney's Office and the FBI.

Woman convicted of sex trafficking

SAIPAN (AP):  A Chinese owner of a karaoke bar in the Northern Marianas was convicted of sex trafficking, the United States Department of Justice said yesterday.

A jury convicted Chang Ru Meng Backman, 40, of one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

Inspectors suspended

DHAKA, (AP): Bangladesh has suspended seven inspectors it accuses of negligence for renewing the licenses of garment factories in a building that collapsed in April, killing more than 1,100 people, a top Labor Ministry official said yesterday.

Pet shop owner arrested

BANGKOK (AP): A pet shop owner was arrested after Thai police found hundreds of protected animals, including rare lions, in his warehouse near Bangkok, authorities said yesterday.