Kenyan police accused of widespread killings

A U.N. investigator accused Kenyan police of widespread extrajudicial killings, and called Wednesday for the removal of the East African nation's police commissioner and its attorney general. "Killings by the police in Kenya are systematic, widespread and carefully planned. They are committed at will and with utter impunity," U.N. Special Rapporteur Philip Alston said in a written statement on his preliminary findings after his visit to the country. The Kenyan government said it rejected Alston's findings. "The government finds it inconceivable that someone who has been in the country for less than ten days can purport to have conducted comprehensive and accurate research on such a serious matter, as to arrive at the recommendations he made," government spokesman Alfred Matua said in a written statement. He said the government was concerned Alston made "such far-reaching conclusions and recommendations on the basis of his interim report," and said the findings were released without government response.

Hamas, Fatah unity talks begin in Cairo

CAIRO: A dozen Palestinian groups met under Egyptian auspices in Cairo on Thursday at the start of a long-awaited dialogue, which could reunite Palestinians after 18 months of schism between Gaza and the West Bank.  All parties said they hope the dialogue will lead to a new national unity government to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza after a three-week Israeli offensive and then to organise presidential and parliamentary elections. But the Islamist group Hamas and the rival Fatah group, which dominates the Palestinian Authority, have different visions of the crucial question of how to deal with Israel. Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since June 2007, reserves the right to fight Israel, although it is prepared to accept an 18-month truce. Fatah, which controls the West Bank, has renounced violence and puts all its hope in negotiations.

Undersea bombs threaten marine life

Beyond the golden beaches and beneath the blue waters of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques is a site that resembles more of a munitions graveyard than a Caribbean paradise. Hundreds of corroding and unexploded bombs litter the sea floor, leaking toxins and taking a toll on nearby marine life. The munitions were left by the U.S. Navy, which had a training site on Vieques for six decades. "We know that these munitions are leaking cancer-causing materials and endangering sea life," said marine ecologist James Porter, associate dean of the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, who recently completed a research trip to Vieques. Responding to a request by the governor's office of Puerto Rico, Porter tested the island's waters for the presence of radioactive material surrounding the sunken USS Killen, a World War II-era destroyer used as target practice for Navy missiles.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka teams reach Lahore

LAHORE: Cricket teams of Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reached Lahore on Thursday for playing the second Test match of the series.

Sources told that both teams will practice before the Test between the them.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said that despite political violence continued in Lahore the second Test will begin from Sunday as scheduled and there is no danger for the match.

Crude oil prices dropped in Asian market today

SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose in Asian trade Thursday, pushed up by a surprise drop in US gasoline reserves, dealers said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for April delivery, gained 23 cents to 42.73 dollars a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for April delivery was up 21 cents to 44.50.

The unexpected drop in US gasoline supplies is the main factor behind the jump in crude oil prices but this is likely to be short-lived, said Victor Shum, a Singapore-based analyst with energy consultancy Purin and Gertz.

"It would be premature to say that oil now has turned the corner because the weak economy remains a threat to the oil market, but the downward momentum in oil pricing has been broken," said Shum.

The rebellion by paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles troops apparently ended Thursday after they handed over their weapons inside their headquarters in the capital city's Pilkhana district, the national press agency quoted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as saying in a nationwide televised address. However, the fate of top military officers who were taken hostage Wednesday was unclear, according to the news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, or BSS, on its Web site. Home Minister Sahara Khatun "oversaw a rescue campaign along with a government delegation in search of bodies of officers, BDR soldiers, their family members and relatives," the agency said.

The Bangladesh Rifles is also known as the BDR.

Serb ex-president cleared of war crimes

Former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic (above), who was accused of war crimes including murder and persecution on political, racial or religious grounds in Kosovo, has been found not guilty by a U.N. tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. Five other former high-ranking Serb officials were found guilty of similar charges. 

Nation not to accept undemocratic decisions: Nawaz Sharif

SHEIKHUPURA: Pakistan Muslim League (N) Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said the people would not accept the Supreme Court ruling. He said no undemocratic action would be tolerated and the mandate of the people should be respected.

Addressing a huge public rally here on Thursday, Nawaz said Pakistan is passing through hard times because of verdicts of the PCO judiciary. He said President Asif Ali Zardari had deceived the nation and did not honour his commitments.

PML (N) chief said Shahbaz Sharif was still the Chief Minister of Punjab under the constitution. Nawaz said that long spells of dictatorship had been snubbing democratic process in the country. He urged people to raise their voice and play an active role in safeguarding Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif said President Zardari did not honour Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s will and there was a dichotomy between his words and his actions. “If Benazir Bhutto were alive today, we would not have to witness present state of affairs”, Nawaz added.

Praising Prime Minister’s efforts for political reconciliation between PML (N) and PPP, Sharif asked Gilani to distance himself from the Supreme Court verdict by joining people. He revealed that Sindh Education Minister, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq told Mian Shahbaz Sharif in a meeting that Sindh should also have a Chief Minister like Shahbaz Sharif.

U.N.: 15,000 flee southern Darfur

The U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that fighting in Muhajeria and Shearia between Sudanese government forces, and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), drove over 15,000 people north to the Zam Zam camp.The water supply to the camp is becoming strained with displaced people arriving there every day, OCHA has said.The government of Darfur has waged a brutal counter-insurgency against militias for the past six years, a war that some international critics have characterized as genocide.An estimated 300,000 people have been killed through combat, disease or malnutrition, according to the United Nations. An additional 2.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes because of fighting among rebels, government forces and the violent Janjaweed militias.

Bomb kills civilian, injures 3 Afghan soldiers

KANDAHAR: A civilian was killed and five others were injured including 3 Afghan soldiers in a bomb explosion in Kandahar province. According to Kandahar police chief that the explosion was carried out by a remote detonated bomb, killing a civilian and injuring five others including 3 Afghan soldiers. According to an estimate around 4,000 people were killed in Kandahar by bomb blasts last year.

Reshuffling of Punjab’s top officials in Governor’s Rule

ISLAMABAD: Following the imposition of the Governor’s Rule in the Punjab, various high officials have been made OSD besides the transfer of IG-Punjab Police and Chief Secretary Punjab, posted during the regime of former Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif.

According to sources, Among those transferred late night were CPO Rawalpindi Mohammad Iqbal Khan, RPO Gujranwala Zulfiqar Cheema, Chairman PND Mohammad Sami, Additional Chief Secretary Javed Aslam, Secretary I & C Umar Rasool, Secretary Communications Fawad Hussain, Secretary to Chief Minister Dr Tauqeer, Secretary Coordination Tauqeer Ajmal Khan. All these officers have been made OSD.The task force committees formed during the regime of Shahbaz Sharif have also been abolished.Sources said that more transfers and postings are likely to be made in government institutions.

Turkish plane crash in Amsterdam

A Turkish Airlines plane breaks up after landing short of the runway at Amsterdam airport, killing nine people and injuring 84.

Governor-rule imposed in Punjab Pakistan for two months

LAHORE: The federal government has imposed the Governor-rule in Punjab for a period of two months, the Presidential spokesman said on Wednesday.

According to spokesman, the Governor-rule has been imposed on the directives of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani under article 234 of the constitution.

Earlier, Punjab Assembly members had submitted a requisition to convene provincial assembly session.

Political ban for Pakistan's former PM

Pakistan's Supreme Court has upheld bans on former prime minister and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Shahbaz, from elected office.Consequently, Shahbaz Sharif also lost his office of Chief Minister of Punjab and elder brother Nawaz Sharif is barred from contesting elections, thus, shifting the bitter political bitterness to the streets.

20 dead in Bangladesh security force headquarters gunfire

DHAKA: Gunfights took place inside the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters here Wednesday morning in which 20 people were killed, a media report said.

A rebellion broke out in paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Headquarters in Pilkhana area in Dhaka with witnesses reporting heavy gun battle among the troops at their main barracks. According to the reports, revolt erupted over pay and perks.

Many army officers have been held hostage by border guards. Director General of Bangladesh Rifles has also been killed in the firing. Civilians are being evacuated from areas near Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters.

Bangladesh Rifles soldiers have taken control of a mall near the headquarters

Officials said that army was called out to crush the rebellion as witnesses reported movement of military convoys and hovering of air force helicopters over the sky of the Pilkhana barracks.

Smoke could be seen coming from the complex, with security forces sealing the area off.

1st Test ends in draw after SL lose 5 wkts

KARACHI: Sri Lanka lost half of their side in their second innings before the first Test ended in a draw here on Wednesday.

When Sri Lanka reached 144-5, both captains decided to end the game realising no result possible in the remaining 12 overs. 

However, Pakistan has emerged with the upper hand in this drawn game which has seen plenty of runs made, a handful of landmarks reached and a number of records broken, and in the end Pakistan bowlers to make things interesting. 

When Sri Lanka batted for the second time after toiling in the field for about three days, Pakistan paceman Umar Gul struck early blows, removing opener Malinda Warnapura (2), caught behind in the first over, then had Tillakaratne Dilshan (8) caught to leave the tourists struggling at 45-3.

Tharanga Paranavitana, who fell for a duck in the first innings, failed to beat a direct throw on to his stumps while taking a quick single and was run out for nine, ending a miserable Test debut.

Kumar Sangakkara was the only batsman to play with responsibility to take his team to safety. He batted for 113 minutes for 65 runs with ten fours.

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and pacer Umar Gul took two wickets each for 35 and 41 runs, respectively.

KSE sinks after Sharif's disqualification

KARACHI: Shares closed down five percent Wednesday after the Supreme Court disqualified main opposition leader and former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif from contesting elections.

The court similarly disqualified Sharif's brother Shahbaz Sharif, who is chief minister of the country's most populous Punjab province.

The Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark KSE-100 index shed over 300 points or five percent to close at 5,580.78 on volume of 145.42 million shares.

Shares gained one percent before the court ruling but brokers went into panic selling after the judgment was announced.