Pakistani court rejects Musharraf’s trial plea
Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Wednesday rejected a petition challenging the constitution of a special court to try former President Pervez Musharraf on a charge of high treason for imposing emergency in 2007. The petition rejected by the Islamabad High Court was filed by a lawyer named Riaz Hanif Rahi.
Iran deal ends need for missile defence: Russia
Brussels: Russia’s Foreign Minister says an international deal aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons will in the long run eliminate any need for a missile defense system in Europe.
Iran readies for big oil production hike
Vienna: Iran indirectly challenged OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, announcing that it plans to pump as much oil as it can once sanctions on its crude exports are lifted, even if its extra output drives prices into the basement.
Rockets kill 18 in syria, says NGO
Beirut: Rocket fire against Government-held areas of Syria’s main northern city of Aleppo killed at least 18 people on Wednesday, a monitoring group said. Among the dead were “five regime troops, including an officer,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Foreign secy meets b’desh pm Hasina
Dhaka: Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other top leaders and discussed bilateral relations amid political turmoil in the country over the January 5 general elections.
US funds hospital in Sri lanka’s north
Colombo: The US will provide a USD 525,000 for the construction of a new hospital in the former lTTE territory in Sri lnaka’s north. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded the hospital at Palai in the Kilinochchi district at a cost of USD 525,000 or Sri lankan rupees 69 million.