Islamabad, February 17
The Pakistan Government today cancelled a meeting with Taliban negotiators over the "heinous and brutal" execution of 23 troops by the banned militant group, raising doubts about a fledgling peace process aimed at ending a decade-old insurgency.

Stunned by a Taliban faction's statement that it killed 23 Frontier Corps personnel held hostage since June 2010, state negotiators called off a scheduled meeting with the committee nominated by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the "heinous and brutal" killings by the Taliban faction in Mohmand Agency and said the peace process had been "sabotaged" whenever it reached an "encouraging point".

Such incidents have a "negative impact" on the peace process, Sharif said in a statement issued by his office. "Pakistan cannot afford this bloodshed," he said.

Sharif said his government opted for talks with the Taliban with "honesty and seriousness" on the basis of a decision made by an All-Parties Conference.

The powerful security establishment seethed with anger and security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the recent killing of 13 policemen in Karachi and the 23 paramilitary personnel were "blatant acts of terror".

"These are high condemnable and provocative acts," a senior official said.

Though the Taliban claimed the 23 personnel were executed as revenge for army operations in the tribal belt and the killing of militants, the officials said no terrorists had died in the custody of security forces. "It is a baseless allegation and mere propaganda to justify their dastardly acts," an official said.

Irfan Siddiqui, the head of the committee formed by the government for peace talks, said there was "no use" holding a planned meeting with Taliban negotiators. "It is sad that we are not moving in the right direction," he said in a statement. An emergency meeting of the government committee would be held tomorrow to discuss the situation and future course of action, he said.

Siddiqui deplored the killing of the 23 personnel, saying such acts will hamper serious and result-oriented talks.

Ibrahim Khan, a member of the Taliban-nominated committee, appealed to the banned group and security forces to abstain from violence. He said both sides should sit together and talk because not meeting was a worrisome development.

The negotiators from both sides have held preliminary talks aimed at forging a roadmap to end the insurgency that has killed some 40,000 people. The Taliban has called for the army's withdrawal from the tribal belt and the implementation of Shariah or Islamic law.

However, observers have been sceptical about the negotiations producing lasting peace. They have pointed out that the Taliban have reneged on past peace deals or used them to consolidate their position.

Meanwhile, Yousuf Shah, a contact person for the TTP, said the Taliban negotiators led by hardline cleric Samiul Haq had met to discuss the latest developments.

He said it was regrettable that state negotiators had refused to meet the Taliban-nominated committee. Shah deplored the killing of the security personnel but said they still believed in maintaining contacts. — PTI 

Seoul, February 17
The roof of a resort auditorium collapsed during a welcoming ceremony for South Korean university freshmen, killing at least eight students and seriously injuring 15 others, officials said today. More than 10 persons were feared trapped as heavy snow reportedly hampered rescue operations.

Fifty-eight other students received minor injuries after the collapse late today, according to an official at the state-run National Emergency Management Agency who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. He confirmed the eight deaths and said rescuers feared at least 10 other people were trapped, but didn't provide further details on injuries or rescue operations.

South Korean media reported that the heavy snowfall was believed to have resulted in the collapse, but the cause was still being investigated.

The collapse came as about 1,000 students from Busan University of Foreign Studies gathered for freshman orientation at the resort in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. More than 500 of the students were in an auditorium when the roof collapsed, the official said.

Many of the students managed to get out of the building by themselves, he said. Repeated calls to the university and the resort were unanswered. — AP

Bangkok, February 17
Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand today besieged the Government House and set up a stage to prevent caretaker Premier Yingluck Shinawatra from working there, even as a top minister threatened protesters with crackdown and vowed to reclaim state buildings.

People's Democratic Reform Committee (PRDC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban led a march of thousands of demonstrators, who set up the stage from where their leaders will take turns to speak out against the government.

Suthep and other core leaders then helped block the Government House by pouring cement into the moulds of the barriers. "I fear, I may offend the military by laying siege to the Government House, but if I don't, I will seize it. We are sure that our protest will bring down Thaksin Regime," Suthep told a cheering crowd.

"If we don't, then Thaksin's son, Panthongtae or Oak will surely become the new prime minister. I pledge to all my brothers and sisters that I have the spirit to fight until the bitter end." From the stage, Suthep challenged Chalerm Yubamrung, the director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), to take Yingluck to work there. Chalerm will be regarded as a coward if he fails to do so, Suthep was quoted as saying by Nation online. — PTI 

London, February 17
British director Steve McQueen's slavery drama '12 Years A Slave' won two of the biggest awards at the BAFTA 2014 but it was Alfonso Cuaron's 3D space film 'Gravity' that dominated the ceremony by taking home six trophies.

'12 Years A Slave', an intimate and disturbing portrayal of slavery in America, won the best picture award while its lead star Chiwetel Ejiofor, 36, was named the best actor for his portrayal of a free man sold into slavery.

"There are 21 million people in slavery now as we sit here. I just hope that 150 years from now our ambivalence will not allow another film-maker to make this film," McQueen said.

Ejiofor thanked his director for the win and said: "This is yours, I know that... you know that. I'm going to keep it, that's the kind of guy I am, but it's yours." However, McQueen, 44, lost the best director trophy to 'Gravity' helmer Cuaron in the Sunday night awards gala.

The space drama also won best British film, best cinematography, best sound, best original music and best special visual effects.

The award for leading actress went to Cate Blanchett for her portrayal of socialite on the verge of a meltdown after she loses her high-flying lifestyle in 'Blue Jasmine'.

Blanchett, 44, did not mention film's director Woody Allen, who is facing allegation of molesting his adopted daughter, a case that has come to haunt him after two decades.

David O Russell's con-artist caper 'American Hustle' took three awards-Jennifer Lawrence for best supporting actress, best original screenplay and best make-up and hair. — PTI