South African miners refuse rescuing
JOHANNESBURG – Emergency workers in South Africa cleared a mine shaft entrance Sunday, allowing miners trapped below the chance to escape. However, the miners were working illegally at the abandoned mine, and some stayed underground because they feared arrest if they came out, according to officials.
At least 11 miners were escorted to safety at the mine in Benoni, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, but an undetermined number of their comrades were still in the gold mine, emergency responder Kobus Du Plooy said by telephone late Sunday.
Police were preparing to question those who came out about anyone left underground, local media reported. After nightfall, some mine security officials remained at the site, but rescue workers had packed up and left, leaving behind a ladder in the shaft for those still below.
Spanish man in coma after pot cake snack
MADRID – A university student in Spain’s capital went into a comatose state early Sunday after he ate a birthday cake baked with marijuana, while nine others were also hospitalized, officials said.
The comatose man wasn’t responding to stimulus when admitted to a Madrid hospital, but he later recovered, city emergency services spokesman Javier Chivite said. The man is still hospitalized.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the pot cake directly led to the man’s comatose state or if he had ingested other substances or had underlying medical problems.
An official at Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda hospital confirmed the man went into a comatose state, but declined to reveal further details, citing privacy issues.
A total of 11 people were affected by eating the cake, Chivite said. Ten of them were hospitalized, the hospital official said. Chivite said they were treated for irregular heartbeat.
Ukrainian protesters end occupation
KIEV, Ukraine – Anti-government demonstrators in Ukraine’s capital ended their nearly three-month occupation of Kiev City Hall on Sunday as promised in exchange for the release of all 234 jailed protesters.
But tensions remained high as hundreds stayed outside the building, vowing to retake it if the government failed to drop all charges against the protesters. Late that night, after a meeting with opposition leaders, Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka said the criminal cases would be closed Monday.
Associated Press
