Today's other stories in breif
Pakistani nuclear arms secure - US
WASHINGTON – The United States has helped Pakistan improve security arrangements for its nuclear arms and is “comfortable” the weapons are secure, US defence secretary Robert Gates said yesterday.
The Pakistani government has come under repeated attack from Taliban extremists, most recently on Friday when two suicide bombers eluded security and blew themselves up in a mosque in Rawalpindi.
The attack raised concerns about how the bombers penetrated what should have been one of the country’s most secure areas. In light of this, Mr Gates faced questions about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arms. – (Reuters)
Somali police, army chiefs fired
MOGADISHU – Somalia’s government fired the head of its police force and its military chief yesterday two days after a suicide bomber killed three ministers and several others in the capital of the lawless Horn of Africa nation.
Ministers had already been debating for several weeks about replacing the two men to bolster security before a government spokesman announced the sacking of police commander Abdi Hassan Awale and military commander Yusuf Hussein. – (Reuters)
Afghan cabinet unveiled in days
KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai would unveil his new cabinet within days, a spokesman said yesterday, adding that efforts to start talks with Taliban insurgents were under way.
Mr Karzai has been under pressure from its Western allies fighting the Taliban and bankrolling its economy to crack down on graft and appoint technocrats in his cabinet, rather than former “warlords”. – (Reuters)
Student dies in Turkish clashes
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey – One man was shot dead yesterday in clashes between Turkish police and protesters in the largely Kurdish city of Diyarbakir in new tensions ahead of a trial that may close the largest pro-Kurdish party.
Thousands of Kurds marched in the streets of the city, throwing stones at security forces and the ruling AK Party’s headquarters.
Hospital and security sources said a university student was shot dead. – (Reuters)