In short

A round-up of today's news in brief

A round-up of today's news in brief

Johnston's captors will not negotiate

GAZA - The captors of BBC reporter Alan Johnston insisted last night they were not prepared to negotiate and again demanded that Britain and Jordan free Muslim prisoners in exchange for the correspondent.

The Army of Islam group published the statement after the Islamist group Hamas detained two of its people in the Gaza Strip that Hamas captured by force two weeks ago. "There is no discussion or bargaining in this issue even if he will remain in captivity for 1,000 years or he is slaughtered like a sheep," the statement said. - Reuters

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Pakistan cyclone leaves 10 dead

ISLAMABAD- Ten people drowned and thousands fled to higher ground yesterday as a tropical cyclone lashed Pakistan's coastline with heavy rains and high winds.

At least three small boats were reported to have sunk and 18 fishing boats were missing as the navy sent a warship and two helicopters to scour the rough seas in search of vessels caught up in the storm. - AP

Petrol rationing begins in Iran

TEHRAN- Iran, the number two Opec crude producer, will introduce petrol rationing for motorists from today, state television reported, in a bid to rein in consumption and cut expensive imports. - Reuters

Thaksin staying out of Thailand

BANGKOK -Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not return from exile to the "killing zone" of his country despite being ordered back to face charges of hiding assets illegally, his lawyer said yesterday.

Mr Thaksin, who had until last Friday to respond in person to charges of violating stock regulations and anti-corruption laws, would return to Thailand only after "democracy is fully restored", lawyer Noppadon Pattama said.

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who ousted Mr Thaksin in a bloodless coup last year, has said Mr Thaksin's safety could not be guaranteed. - Reuters

Maoist groups strike in India

NEW DELHI- Maoist insurgents attacked two goods trains and paralysed public transport in parts of central and eastern India yesterday at the start of a two-day strike against a controversial government industrial policy.

The Maoists, who operate across 13 Indian states, called the strike to protest against special economic zones, low-tax enclaves created to boost industrial and export growth that have sparked protests from farmers who will lose their land. In neighbouring Chattisgarh, Maoist rebels hacked to death two villagers of an anti-Maoist group. - Reuters

Donatello 'David' to get makeover

ROME - Donatello's David, the statue credited with starting Italian Renaissance sculpture, is to receive its first big clean-up using innovative laser lifting techniques that are expected to reveal striking gold leaf hair highlights. - Guardian service