World Scene

ECUADOR

Survivor says boat split in two

QUITO — One of the nine survivors of an Ecuadorean motorboat packed with more than 100 illegal migrants that sank in the Pacific Ocean off Colombia has said the overloaded vessel broke in two, according to a report yesterday.

A 25-year-old male survivor identified as Julio Sisalema said stricken migrants tried to grab parts of the boat and even other people in a effort to stay afloat as the vessel sank, according to the El Mercurio newspaper.

“Suddenly, it broke in two,” Mr. Sisalema said of the boat sinking, which occurred on Friday.

INDONESIA

Bali bombers get reduced jail terms

JAKARTA — The Indonesian government yesterday reduced prison sentences for 19 persons, including the spiritual head of an al Qaeda-linked group, convicted in the Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 persons. One other person was freed.

The reductions prompted dismay in Australia, home to most of the victims of the 2002 attacks.

Cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who originally was sentenced to 30 months for his role in the 2002 attacks, got his time reduced by 4 months, said Dedi Sutardi, chief warden at Cipinang Prison in Jakarta.

CANADA

Nominee declares loyalty to country

OTTAWA — Canada’s nominee for governor general declared yesterday her commitment to the country in a bid to quell a row over whether she supported independence for the French-speaking province of Quebec.

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