Moderates gain ground in runoffs

TEHRAN - Conservatives consolidated their control of Iran's legislature in runoff elections, but moderates within the bloc opposed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad emerged as a stronger force, according to final results released yesterday. Some moderate conservatives are critical of Ahmadinejad's handling of the economy and the nuclear standoff with the West. They added 11 seats to the 42 they won in the first round. (AP)

MADRID - The crew of a fishing boat that was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia nearly a week ago have been freed. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said yesterday that the 26 crew members of the 250-foot vessel Playa de Bakio are now sailing back home. She said the release was achieved through negotiation between the ship's owners and the Spanish government. She declined to say whether a ransom had been paid. (AP)

ABBOTSFORD - The floor of a church filled with about 1,000 teens collapsed during a concert, injuring at least 39 people, three of them seriously, officials said. The youths were at the Central Heights Church to hear the Christian rock band Starfield on Friday night when a area in front of the stage gave way, leaving a 22-foot wide hole. Investigators were trying to determine what caused the collapse. (AP)

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