Thai diplomat killed

DHAKA: A Thai diplomat was killed in northern Bangladesh when her vehicle — part of a convoy accompanying Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn — had a fatal head on collision, police said on Friday. Pannyee Lickanajule, 55, deputy head of mission at Thailand’s Embassy in Dhaka, was accompanying Princess Sirindhorn on a trip to a rural development project, the Tangail district police chief said. The minibus Pannyee was travelling in “had fallen behind the Princess’s motorcade and collided head on with a truck laden with iron-rods. The minibus plunged into a ditch,” Mizanur Rahman told AFP. Pannyee suffered extensive chest injuries, was rushed to hospital but died almost immediately, Rahman said, adding that the driver of the iron-rod truck had abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene of the accident.

Australia’s first saint

VATICAN CITY: Mary MacKillop, a nun revered for her work with needy children as much as for her rebellious streak, is to become Australia’s first Roman Catholic saint on October 17, Pope Benedict XVI said on Friday. The pope, speaking in Latin, announced the date at a consistory or meeting of cardinals at the Vatican. Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See hailed the announcement, saying it was “a terrific salute to an outstanding Australian, a giant leader in education and many other fields.” Tim Fischer added: “There is a great deal of affection and respect for Mary MacKillop. Further, she was a strong leader, a compassionate worker for the poor and a pioneer in education.”