ROME

Boat with migrants sinks, leaving at least 14 dead

A boat crowded with migrants sank Monday in the Mediterranean just beyond Libya’s territorial waters, leaving at least 14 people dead, said the Italian navy, which helped rescue more than 200 survivors.

A tugboat that was traveling between oil platforms in the area spotted the vessel in difficulty, and was the first to come to the rescue when it overturned and then sank, said a navy spokesman, Capt. Marco Maccaroni.

By nightfall, 206 people had been rescued, he said.

PRETORIA, South Africa

Pistorius prosecution seeks mental observation period

The prosecution in Oscar Pistorius’s murder trial said the athlete should undergo mental observation after a forensic pyschiatrist diagnosed an anxiety disorder that may have affected his actions when he killed Reeva Steenkamp.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Monday that the High Court in Pretoria must make the ruling for 30 days of observation after defense witness Merryll Vorster said “it’s clear that Mr. Pistorius has a psychiatric illness.”

Defense lawyer Barry Roux said he will oppose the application.

PARIS

French official under fire after failing to sing anthem

A French official who has been the target of racist slurs came under attack Monday for failing to sing the national anthem during an event to commemorate the abolition of slavery.

Justice Minister Christiane Taubira, who is France’s most prominent black politician, said she chose to listen rather than sing as a soprano performed the Marseillaise at Saturday’s ceremony.

– From news service reports

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