New deputy PM for Belgium

Belgium yesterday replaced a deputy prime minister, one of three politicians who resigned last week in the wake of a corruption scandal over a deal to buy army helicopters, Reuter reports from Brussels.

The Socialist Party picked Elio di Rupo, 43, a regional minister, to succeed Guy Coeme as deputy prime minister. Mr Coeme and two other Socialists resigned on Friday following allegations that the Italian company Agusta paid bribes to secure an pounds 8bn helicopter contract.