CAIRO — An Egyptian security official said Saturday that the interior ministry has agreed to purchase 100,000 9mm pistols after low-ranking police officer went on strike demanding greater firepower to defend themselves against increased lawlessness. The announcement ended five days of strikes by thousands of low-ranking officers. (AP)
Four found guilty in dorm collapse
ROME — A court in L’Aquila, Italy, convicted four people in the collapse of a university dormitory during the 2009 earthquake in that Apennine mountain town. Eight students died then. The four who were convicted Saturday are Italian technicians accused of carrying out shoddy reconstruction work in 2000 on the dormitory. Three were sentenced to four years in prison, while the fourth man received a 2½ year sentence. Four other defendants were acquitted. (AP)
Mason allegedly started brush fire
SANTIAGO — Chilean police have arrested a man they say is responsible for the worst forest fire in decades in the hills above the port of Valparaiso. Police said Carlos Rivas, a 27-year-old mason, conceded Saturday that he accidentally ignited the blaze with a welder’s torch. They said Rivas told them his boss asked him to cover up his role in the fire. (AP)