Short takes

Pakistan executes 7 killers
 AFP, MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistan yesterday hanged seven prisoners, bringing the total number put to death since executions resumed last December to 160, officials said. Seven executions took place in several cities in the central province of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sialkot and Bahawalpur. All of those executed had been convicted of murder.
17 die in Tunisia train crash
AFP,TUNIS: At least 17 people were killed and 70 injured when a passenger train hit a lorry south of the Tunisian capital yesterday, the transport and interior ministries said. Most of the dead were passengers on the train, which derailed, the transport ministry said. "The toll is currently 17 dead and around 70 injured," Mongi Khadhi, a spokesman for the emergency services told AFP.
Bahrain opposition chief jailed
AFP, DUBAI: A Bahrain court jailed Shiite opposition leader Ali Salman for four years yesterday after convicting him of inciting disobedience and hatred in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, a judicial source said. Salman, 49, was also found guilty of "insulting an official body," the source said, referring to the interior ministry. His arrest on December 28 drew condemnation from both the United States and Iran, as well as human rights groups.

Jeb Bush launches 2016 bid
AFP, MIAMI: Jeb Bush jumped headlong into the presidential race Monday, insisting "America deserves better" after eight years of Barack Obama, as the Republican seeks to win over voters skeptical of his political pedigree.
Following a six-month pre-candidacy exploration, Bush made his formal announcement at Miami Dade College, a diverse university chosen to signal that he aims to run an inclusive 2016 campaign. "I have decided. I am a candidate for president of the United States," he said.  
10 held in HK  bomb plot
AFP, HONG KONG: Police have arrested a tenth person suspected of making explosives in Hong Kong in a plot they say is linked to a "radical" political group, ahead of a key vote on a controversial reform package.
A 58-year-old man was arrested "on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives" at northern border point Lo Wu late Monday, police said.

 

Short takes

Pakistan executes 7 killers AFP, MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistan yesterday hanged seven prisoners, bringing the total number put to death since executions resumed last December to 160, officials said. Seven executions took place in several cities in the central province of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sialkot and Bahawalpur. All of those executed had been convicted of murder. 17 die in Tunisia train crash AFP,TUNIS: At least 17 people were killed and 70 injured when a passenger train hit a lorry south of the Tunisian capital yesterday, the transport and interior ministries said. Most of the dead were passengers on the train, which derailed, the transport ministry said. The toll is currently 17 dead and around 70 injured, Mongi Khadhi, a spokesman for the emergency services told AFP. Bahrain opposition chief jailed AFP, DUBAI: A Bahrain court jailed Shiite opposition leader Ali Salman for four years yesterday after convicting him of inciting disobedience and hatred in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, a judicial source said. Salman, 49, was also found guilty of insulting an official body, the source said, referring to the interior ministry. His arrest on December 28 drew condemnation from both the United States and Iran, as well as human rights groups. Jeb Bush launches 2016 bid AFP, MIAMI: Jeb Bush jumped headlong into the presidential race Monday, insisting America deserves better after eight years of Barack Obama, as the Republican seeks to win over voters skeptical of his political pedigree. Following a six-month pre-candidacy exploration, Bush made his formal announcement at Miami Dade College, a diverse university chosen to signal that he aims to run an inclusive 2016 campaign. I have decided. I am a candidate for president of the United States, he said. 10 held in HK bomb plot AFP, HONG KONG: Police have arrested a tenth person suspected of making explosives in Hong Kong in a plot they say is linked to a radical political group, ahead of a key vote on a controversial reform package. A 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives at northern border point Lo Wu late Monday, police said.