A judge ruled the former president of Blackwater Worldwide and four of his past colleagues at the US security firm can remain free as they await trial on US federal weapons charges.

Former executives at US security contractor Blackwater Worldwide have admitted sending about $1m (€665,000) to Iraq to pay off officials angry about the fatal shootings of 17 civilians by its employees, according to a report.

THE deaths of four employees of a local security company and the shocking way the bodies were treated helped bring the conflict in Iraq closer to home, residents of Moyock, North Carolina, said yesterday.