NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

US/ CONGRESSMAN WEINER RESIGNS: US Congressman Anthony Weiner D-New York has resigned his seat in Congress following an internet sex scandal. He said "the distraction that I have created" had made continuing "impossible". He said he apologized for the "personal mistakes" he had made. Weiner had been under pressure after lying about a series of online chats with women to whom he sent lewd photos. The move comes days after President Barack Obama said he would quit if he were in Weiner's position. Weiner had been regarded as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a possible prospect for the mayorship of New York City. "I'm here again to apologize for the personal mistakes I've made and embarrassment I've caused," Weiner said during a news conference in his home district in New York this afternoon. The embattled Democrat said he had hoped to be able to "continue the work that the citizens of my district elected me to do". "Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible, so today I'm announcing my resignation from Congress," he said. A heckler interrupted Weiner's announcement, yelling: "Goodbye pervert". Weiner decided he would resign after having long discussions with his wife, an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

WORLD/ RIOT BREAKS OUT IN VANCOUVER AFTER STANLEY CUP LOSS: Riot police in Vancouver used tear gas to quell violence that broke out after the Vancouver Canucks lost the final game of the Stanley Cup. Cars were set on fire and shops were looted following the ice hockey team's 4-0 defeat to the Boston Bruins last night. Mobs of angry fans roamed central Vancouver after the game, as thick acrid smoke rose over the city centre. Similar riots broke out in the Canadian city after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup in 1994. Record crowds of supporters gathered in the heart of the city on Wednesday in the hope of seeing their team, the favourites, secure the Stanley Cup and be crowned winners of the National Hockey League. But hope quickly turned to gloom after the Boston Bruins scored 1st and then went on to secure an emphatic victory. As soon as the final buzzer sounded, a hail of beer bottles rained down on the giant outdoor television screens. People chanted obscenities, and witnesses said some people took out their anger on nearby cars, flipping 2 over and setting them alight. Shops were also reported to have had their windows smashed and then looted. A line of  riot police tried to hold back a crowd of several thousand in one part of central Vancouver. Officials said over 150 people were injured, most of them minor. At least 4 people were stabbed. Officers were pelted with bottles and firecrackers; streets were filled with rubbish, broken glass and streams of alcohol. After numerous arrests and a series of confrontations, police cleared the streets of downtown Vancouver about 4 hours after the riots broke out. The Canucks had the NHL's best regular season record, but have never won the Stanley Cup since entering the league 40 years ago.