Afghanistan: Iran accused as mines
are found in Taliban cache

HEART, AFGHANISTAN, Jan 26: Iran was accused of supplying weapons to the Taliban today after security forces found dozens of Iranian-made mines in a rebel cache in western Afghanistan.

Afghan police and intelligence agents raided a Taliban compound in Farah province on Thursday and discovered 130 mines, 60 of which were made in Iran, Farah governor Mohyiddin Balouch told AFP.

When asked who could be behind the supply of weapons he replied: "It is the Iran government." He added: "We have intelligence reports that these mines had recently entered Farah from Iran."

He said: "We know that there is a Government in Iran which has controls over the borders. Without the knowledge of the Iranian government it is difficult to send weapons out."

United States and NATO officials have also in the past said that Iranian weapons were being supplied to the extremist Taliban, which is waging a bloody insurgency against Afghanistan's US-backed President Hamid Karzai.

However, senior Afghan Government officials including Karzai have repeatedly dismissed the claims, saying there was no proof.

The Taliban, who were in Government from 1996 until being ousted by Western forces in 2001, are trying to topple the Karzai Government and remove the tens of thousands of US-led troops based in the country. (AGENCIES)

Pill with a camera to detect cancer

WASHINGTON, Jan 26: Scientists have designed a pill with a tiny camera that can be easily used to detect early signs of esophageal cancer.

It has fundamentally created a smaller endoscope that is more comfortable for the patient and cheaper to use than current technology. The scanning endoscope developed consists of just a single optical fiber for illumination and six fibers for collecting light, all encased in a pill.

"Our technology is completely different from what's available now. This could be the foundation for the future of endoscopy," said professor Eric Seibel, the lead author of the research at the University of Washington.

"The procedure is so easy I could imagine it being done in a shopping mall," said Seibel, who acted as the human volunteer in the first test of the device.

He reports that it felt like swallowing a regular pill, and the tether, which is 1.4 mm wide, did not bother him. "The next big challenge is to make this cheaply," the ScienceDaily quoted Seibel as saying.

Its first use on a human, scanning for early signs of esophageal cancer, will be reported in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

In the past 30 years diagnoses of esophageal cancer have more than tripled. The esophagus is the section of digestive tract that moves food from the throat down to the stomach.

However, people fail to undergo tests until it's progressed to cancer, a stage where the survival rate is less than 15 percent, because internal scans are expensive. (PTI)

More corruption-reporting websites to be set up

BEIJING, Jan 26: In a bid to intensify efforts to combat corruption in China, disciplinary bodies in the country will set up a number of corruption-reporting websites.

The CPCs Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Ministry of Supervision joining hands with 10 provincial-level discipline inspection committees, have set up corruption-reporting websites, considered a "primary and effective way" to unmask wrongdoings by officials.

Many cities in Shanxi, Guizhou and Zhejiang provinces and elsewhere as also counties have also followed suit and set up anti-corruption websites in the CPCs fight against corruption, the official Xinhua news agency said, adding, more will follow.

The Communist Party of China has also warned officials against acts of impropriety in the ongoing local leadership reshuffles.

The National Bureau of Corruption Prevention (NBCP) launched a website in December last year to facilitate petitioners make complaints about corruption, but within hours it crashed flooded by complaints.

An NBCP official said the number of visitors was very large and beyond expectations and, in just two days of operation, 22 pages of messages were left on the website's guestbook. The website is now working again.

Chinese President and CPC chief Hu Jintao had vowed at the party's 17th National Congress in October last year to step up the battle against corruption and punish the guilty while stressing that prevention should be given an equal importance as punishment. (PTI)

6 powers propose new sanctions and restrictions on Iran

DAVOS, Jan 26: New UN sanctions against Iran would require countries to ban the entry of individuals involved in the Iranian nuclear programme, a step up from a previous call for vigilance over their travel, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press.

The latest round of penalties would also for the first time ban trade in equipment and technology that can be used in both civilian and nuclear programmes, according to elements that would form the basis of a new UN resolution.

It would call on countries to inspect cargo heading to or from Iran "provided there are reasonable grounds to believe" that prohibited goods are being transported, the document obtained yesterday by The Associated Press said.

The five veto-wielding members of the council -- the US, Britain, France, China and Russia -- along with Germany, agreed this week on the basic terms of the resolution.

Diplomats have said the full, 15-nation Security Council will likely approve it next month.

The six global powers offered Iran a package of economic incentives and political rewards in June 2006 if it agreed to freeze uranium enrichment before talks on its nuclear program. But Iran has refused despite two previous sets of UN sanctions.

The new proposal would freeze the assets of additional individuals and entities involved in Iran's nuclear activities that were not identified.

It calls on all countries "to exercise vigilance" in entering into new financial commitments with Iraq, including the granting of export credits, guarantees or insurance. (AGENCIES)

Musharraf says Pak polls will be "fair"

LONDON, Jan 26: Dismissing concerns about possible rigging of the February 18 general elections, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has insisted that the polls would be held in a "free, fair and peaceful" manner.

"I would ask anyone to give me how (the polls) can be rigged, and if anyone gives me any suggestion, I would be too glad to pass it onto the Chief Election Commissioner for implementation," Musharraf said addressing the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a British think tank, shortly after his arrival here yesterday on a three-day visit.

"The election will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful," Musharraf said, adding "whatever bugs remained in the system... Have been removed by me and my Government."

Rejecting suggestions that US troops could be brought in Pakistan to root out Al-Qaeda militants or guard the country's nuclear assets, he said his Government's success in fighting terrorism was critical.

"We are in the forefront fighting terrorism and extremism, our success is critical. We have to win because if we lose I think it will have an impact on the region and the world, maybe in the streets of Europe.

"So therefore we have to be together and we have to reinforce each other, encourage each other, support each other, instead of criticising and insinuating," he said.

On the probe into the killing of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf said Pakistan was capable of carrying out a full investigation into her assassination on December 27.

He said the Scotland Yard assistance was sought into the investigation because "there may be some weaknesses in our forensic capabilities, in our technical capabilities". (PTI)

Indian High Commissioner under
suicide attack threat: Report.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: Security has been beefed up for Indian diplomats in Pakistan after authorities received intelligence warning that suicide bombers have entered the capital to target High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal.

Pakistan's Interior Ministry has directed the Islamabad chief commissioner, acting police inspector general (IG), and Islamabad Diplomatic Enclave Security (DES) police superintendent to make foolproof security arrangements for the Indian High Commission in Islamabad after intelligence agencies reported threats of suicide attacks on Indian diplomats, sources said yesterday.

The sources said that according to a letter written by National Crisis Management Cell Director (Operations) Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Imran Yaqoob to the Islamabad administration, the government had received intelligence reports warning that one out of three women suicide bombers, who have entered Islamabad, would target the Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal.

The Interior Ministrys Foreigners Security Cell officials directed security agencies to send a report after tightening Indian diplomats security, the Daily Times newspaper said today quoting sources.

An additional force of the Diplomatic Security Police has been deployed outside the Indian High Commission. The Indian diplomats have limited their movement after they were informed about the threat, the report said. (PTI)

McCain may be benefiting from
Republican anxiety over Iraq

WASHINGTON, Jan 26: Republican angst over the war in Iraq may be helping fuel John McCain's rise as a top presidential contender, even though he has been the campaign's highest profile supporter of the unpopular conflict, according to surveys in early voting states and interviews with Republican pollsters.

In states that have held Republican nominating contests so far, the Arizona senator has done better with people naming Iraq as the country's top problem than with those who picked other issues, entrance and exit polls of voters show.

He has also done better with Republican voters saying they disapprove of the Iraq war than with those saying they approve.

Unlike Democrats and independents, most Republicans support the war, which several national polls show has been overtaken by the economy as the campaign's defining issue.

Yet while only a minority of Republicans express displeasure with the conflict, their numbers are significant in the close race for the Republican nomination.

Republican pollsters say Republican voters unhappy over Iraq are generally displeased with how the Bush administration has conducted the conflict and don't oppose the war itself.

They say that with violence in Iraq declining in recent months, those Republicans see it as vindication for McCain's long-time support for a continued strong US military effort.

"He's been foremost among Republican critics of the tactics in Iraq, though stalwart about the importance of winning," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, who is not affiliated with any presidential candidate. (AGENCIES)

Man spends night on the streets
as punishment for stealing

PAINESVILLE, OHIO, Jan 26: A charity worker who was ordered by a judge to spend a night homeless for stealing a holiday kettle containing about USD 250 returned to court with red eyes and red cheeks.

Nathen Smith who was fitted with a GPS device to track his moves, spent Thursday night ducking in and out of government buildings for warmth, including a stop at the Lake County sheriff's office.

Smith also walked through a park, but did not go under a bridge where many of Painesville's (50 kilometres northeast of Cleveland) homeless sleep, probation supervisor David Washlock said.

"It's hard to find a spot to go that's warm, unless you're inside," an unshaven Smith told Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti, who issued the sentence, during an appearance yesterday.

Smith, 28, worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army charity outside a discount store in nearby Eastlake on Dec 17. Police arrested Smith at his mother's house after a co-worker reported that one of eight kettles was missing.

The Salvation Army uses kettle donations to help pay for food, clothing and shelter for the homeless.

Smith, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of theft, still must serve three days in jail, do eight hours of community service, get a general equivalency diploma and find a job, the Judge said. (AGENCIES)

Meet at Hawaii aims to find ways
to head off global warming

HONOLULU, Jan 26: High-ranking officials from some of the world's biggest economies, including India are expected to gather in Honolulu next week to find ways to reduce greenhouse gases and slow global warming without stopping development.

Members of the European Union, Japan, China and India are expected to come to the East-West Centre in Honolulu for the meeting Wednesday and Thursday.

The conference will further talks held in Bali, Indonesia, last month, at which countries agreed to adopt a blueprint for fighting global warming by 2009. Details for reducing greenhouse gas emissions must still be worked out.

The US, the host, is sending Jim Connaughton, White House environmental chief, and Undersecretary of State Paula J Dobriansky, who headed the US delegation to last month's talks in Bali.

"We have a very high level of participation," Connaughton said at a press briefing Friday in Washington.

He said this indicates world leaders support the process as a follow-up to the Bali conference leading to UN meetings and the Group of Eight summit on global warming with President George W Bush and other world leaders in July.

Some Europeans had threatened to boycott the Honolulu meeting until the US agreed to a roadmap in a last-minute compromise at the Bali talks.

The Indonesia conference launched negotiations to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012 and is not supported by the US.

Connaughton said the Honolulu meetings are aimed at getting countries to agree to "binding market-based and voluntary measures" to save the world from climate catastrophe. (AGENCIES)

Fazlullah's close aide arrested in Swat

ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: A close aide of pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazullah, whose armed followers have been engaged in clashes with security forces in northwest Pakistan's troubled Swat valley, was among a number of militants arrested from the region.

In raids conducted yesterday, police arrested a number of militants and proclaimed offenders, including a cleric who had issued a 'fatwa' calling for suicide attacks and beheading of Government officials.

Maulvi Abdul Raziq, a close aide of Fazlullah, was arrested in the Kot area of Charbagh, a report in the 'Dawn' daily said quoting sources.

In another raid in the same locality, four brothers wanted by police in connection with a murder were arrested.

Police also raided the office of the District Education Officer in Mingora and arrested three teachers for suspected links with militants. Two others were arrested from a checkpoint in Kabal. (PTI)

Stallone says he used HGH to get
buff for new 'Rambo' movie

NEW YORK, Jan 26: Sylveter Stalone says he used human growth hormone to get buff for the new "Rambo" movie, and defends its use.

"HGH (human growth hormone) is nothing," the 61-year-old actor tells Time magazine in its Feb. 4 issue. "Anyone who calls it a steroid is grossly misinformed.'

Because it is nearly undetectable, HGH has become a substance of great concern in major league baseball and other sports battling allegations of rampant doping.

"Testosterone to me is so important for a sense of well-being when you get older," he says. "Everyone over 40 years old would be wise to investigate it because it increases the quality of your life. Mark my words. In 10 years it will be over the counter."

Stallone directed and co-wrote the new "Rambo" movie, which arrived in US theatres yesterday. (AGENCIES)

Cultural fest to mark Mandela's
birthday celebrations at Cape

DURBAN, Jan 26: South Africa is preparing to celebrate former president, Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday with a great deal of pomp on July 18.

Cape Town, known as the Mother City, has become the first metro in the country to dedicate a major cultural event to South Africa's first democratic president.

The city will sponsor "Suidoosterfees", a major cultural event in the Nobel Peace Laureate's honour.

"The City of Cape Town is proud to be a partner in the Suidoosterfees, which provides to offer thousands of residents and visitors with a wonderful opportunity to savour and celebrate the Cape's unique brand of art and culture in honour of Nelson Mandela", the Cape Town Mayor, Helen Zille said.

"It also unites communities across the Cape metropole and helps boost Cape Town's reputation as the cultural capital of South Africa. "

The popular cultural festival will feature South Africa's top musicians and artists and will include jazz, classical music, choral singing, theatre, ballet, modern dancing, films, a book fair, exhibitions and food stalls. (PTI)