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Four environmentalists arrested

at prime minister’s residence

OTTAWA–Four Greenpeace environmental demonstrators were arrested yesterday after they chained themselves to the gates of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's official residence at 24 Sussex Drive.

A Harper representative said the prime minister had already left the house by the time the protesters arrived and was at work in his office, preparing for the presentation of the Conservative government's budget.

RCMP Cpl. J.J. Hainey said investigators were considering whether to lay mischief charges against the four people arrested, part of a group of about 10 protesting what they called the government's lack of commitment to the Kyoto climate-change accord.

The RCMP failed in their initial efforts to cut the chains attaching the demonstrators to the iron gates and had to call in a special unit to use a grinder to cut them away.

Traffic in the area slowed to a crawl for over two hours this morning.

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Defence ninister apologizes

for misleading parliament

OTTAWA— Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor had no sooner apologized today for misleading the Commons over monitoring of prisoners Canadian troops took during fighting in Afghanistan than some opposition MPs called for him to resign.

He earlier told MPs Canada was receiving Red Cross reports on detainees' welfare.

The International Committee of the Red Cross corrected him, publicly, saying it does indeed spot inspect treatment of prisoners but only to the nation holding the detainees.

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Star-witness deals delay

Conrad Black trial

CHICAGO — Conrad Black's criminal trial wrapped up early today after lawyers from the defence team suggested the timing of regulatory and civil settlements involving star prosecution witness David Radler are interfering with Black's right to a fair trial.

On Friday, Radler — Black's former top executive in the Hollinger group — signed a $28.7-million (U.S.) settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Last night, a second $63.4-million (U.S.) settlement was announced with Sun Times Media, the new incarnation of Hollinger International.

The timing is "real troubling," Black's U.S. lawyer Ed Genson said. Black and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty. He said he heard of the Sun Times settlement on CNN at 11 p.m. last night and asked Judge Amy St. Eve to delay opening arguments. St. Eve refused, saying she would question jurors to ensure they have not seen the story.

Gensen objected to a quote by former Hollinger International CEO Gordon Paris "bragging about the money these people collected from Radler."

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