W O R L D

26 killed in Kiev clashes
Kiev, February 19
Anti-government protesters were locked in a stand-off with riot police across burning barricades today after fierce clashes left at least 26 people dead in Ukraine's worst crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The crackdown by security forces triggered a storm of international condemnation, with the White House calling the violence "completely outrageous".

An anti- government protester throws a Molotov's cocktail during clashes with the riot police outside Ukraine's Parliament in Kiev. AP/PTI

US assures Pak to help in tracking Taliban militants
Islamabad, February 19
The US today assured Pakistan full military cooperation in tracking down fleeing Taliban militants in case the Pakistani army launches an operation against the banned outfit in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, a media report said.

Anti-govt protesters vow to go after Thailand PM Yingluck Bangkok, February 19 Buoyed by a court order curbing the use of force against them, anti-government protesters in Thailand today said they would "go after" embattled Premier Yingluck Shinawatra, a day after a police crackdown left five people dead and dozens injured. Thai soldiers hand out bottles of water to protesters through a barbed-wire fence in Bangkok on Wednesday. Reuters

Italy to approach UN, EU over marines
Rome, February 19
Miffed over India's handling of the trial of its two marines on murder charges, Italy has said it would again knock the doors the UN, the EU and even the Commonwealth to press New Delhi to deal with the case quickly.

Pak minister cites India's example to flay Taliban
Islamabad, February 19
A Pakistani minister today criticised the Taliban for killing 23 security personnel in their captivity, saying even India which was "considered an enemy" treated prisoners of war with dignity.

Pak banker testifies against Mumbai attack accused
Lahore, February 19
A Pakistani banker today testified against one of the accused in the 2008 Mumbai attack case, saying he had made transaction worth Rs 15 lakh which is believed to have been used for carrying out the terror act.

Islamabad ‘extremely dangerous’
Islamabad, February 19
Pakistan's capital has been declared as "extremely dangerous" by the Interior Ministry due to the presence of sleeper cells of banned terror groups like the Al-Qaida, a report said today.

Two Indians awarded for honesty
Dubai, February 19
Two Indians have been awarded by the UAE government in recognition of their honesty after they returned over 60,000 dirhams which they found on a street to the police.

Britain’s Prince Charles wears traditional Saudi uniform as he attends the traditional form of Saudi dancing performed during the Janadriya culture festival in Riyadh. AP/PTI

Waiting for the reunion: Kim Sun-kyum, 91, is helped by a Red Cross official as he arrives to take part in family reunions with his North Korean family members at a hotel in Sokcho, South Korea, on Wednesday. About 500 South Koreans will be reunited with their North Korean relatives at the Diamond Mountain in North Korea from Feb 20 to 25. AP/PTI

26 killed in Kiev clashes
EU leaders condemn violence, mull sanctions against Ukraine

Kiev, February 19
Anti-government protesters were locked in a stand-off with riot police across burning barricades today after fierce clashes left at least 26 people dead in Ukraine's worst crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The crackdown by security forces triggered a storm of international condemnation, with the White House calling the violence "completely outrageous".

The European Union called an emergency meeting to discuss sanctions against those behind the unrest, as embattled President Viktor Yanukovych blamed the Opposition for going too far.

Ukraine's security service ramped up tensions by announcing a nationwide "anti-terrorist" operation in response to the three-month-old protests.

Security forces on Kiev's Independence Square meanwhile appeared to have temporarily halted their push to take over the city's main protest camp as people streamed to the site with food, clothing and medication for the demonstrators.

Some protesters on the smoke-filled square hurled Molotov cocktails and cobblestones at the lines of riot police, while others piled wood on to the burning barricades separating them from the security forces. Riot officers responded with the odd volley of stun grenades and rubber bullets.

The atmosphere was more subdued than on Tuesday, when riot police stormed the protest square with tear gas and protesters responded by burning tyres and throwing stones and fireworks, leading to apocalyptic scenes of violence.

At the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, shocked Ukrainian athletes wanted to wear black armbands to mourn the dead, a request that was denied by the IOC as it would interfere with rules on athletes' clothing.

Yesterday's unrest in Kiev was the deadliest yet since protests erupted in November after Yanukovych rejected an EU pact in favour of closer ties with Moscow.

Nationwide ‘anti-terrorist’ operation announced

Ukraine's security service on Wednesday announced a nationwide "anti-terrorist" operation in response to anti-government protests.

"The National Security Service and Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Centre have taken the decision to conduct an anti-terrorist operation across the territory of Ukraine," security agency head Oleksandr Yakimenko said in a statement. Embattled President Viktor Yanukovych was informed of the operation that will see security agencies work with the ministry of defence to strengthen state borders and maintain public order. "Radical and extremist groups are posing a real threat to the lives of millions of Ukrainians with their actions," Yakimenko said. — AFP

Prez replaces army chief

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Wednesday replaced the head of the army's general staff after announcing a new "anti-terror" operation. A brief presidential statement said Yanukovych was appointing Yuri Iliin in place of Volodymyr Zamana to head the powerful post but provided no explanation for the decision. AFP

US assures Pak to help in tracking Taliban militants

Islamabad, February 19
The US today assured Pakistan full military cooperation in tracking down fleeing Taliban militants in case the Pakistani army launches an operation against the banned outfit in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, a media report said.

Commander of the United States Central Command General Llyod J Austin arrived in Pakistan today and met with Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mahmood.

On his meeting with CJSC, they "discussed matters related to regional security situation with special emphasis on Afghanistan, and bilateral cooperation between the two militaries", the army here said in a statement.

The US commander assured full military cooperation from the other side of the border to track down fleeing Taliban militants from Waziristan to Afghanistan, the Dawn reported.

The report by the daily on its website also said that Pakistan has assured the US military of every possible cooperation in tracing its soldier, Bowe Bergdhl, who is allegedly held captive by the Afghan Taliban in North Waziristan tribal region.

Quoting "highly credible sources", the report said Gen Austin, sought Pakistan's help in tracing kidnapped US soldier before any possible massive military operation was conducted in North Waziristan.

Asked for a confirmation, however, a senior US Embassy official told PTI, "I am not in a position to confirm this. We would be releasing a statement and it will provide information about his visit". Gen Austin during his meetings also shared credible intelligence information about various militants hideouts in North Waziristan with Pakistan's top military officials, the report said. — PTI

‘Not involved in any talks with Taliban’

Washington: The US has said it was not involved in active negotiations with the Taliban, but would want to discuss the fate of its soldier held hostage by insurgents since 2009 if the talks were to resume. "We are not involved in active negotiations with the Taliban. Clearly, if negotiations do resume, at some point then we will want to talk with the Taliban about the safe return of Sergeant Bergdahl," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.

Anti-govt protesters vow to go after Thailand PM Yingluck

Bangkok, February 19
Buoyed by a court order curbing the use of force against them, anti-government protesters in Thailand today said they would "go after" embattled Premier Yingluck Shinawatra, a day after a police crackdown left five people dead and dozens injured.

Defiant protesters in a convoy of 200 cars, led by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), surrounded the office of the Permanent Secretary of Defence in northern Bangkok, which Yingluck and her cabinet have been using as a temporary office since protesters shut down the Government House in December.

Suthep said that demonstrators would follow Yingluck wherever she goes and would target businesses owned by her wealthy family.

"Wherever she is, wherever she sleeps, we will go after her," Suthep told the crowd. "(We) must intensify our fight and we will attack Shinawatra businesses and their funding sources." The move came after the caretaker government mobilised thousands of policemen to disperse anti-government protesters at several sites across the city.

Also today, a Civil Court ruled that the government had the authority to impose an emergency decree during a critical situation, but not to the extent of using it to break up the PDRC's peaceful and unarmed demonstrations.

The court prohibited the government and the Centre for Maintenance of Peace and Order from breaking up the PDRC's rallies and from seizing the protesters' equipment. — PTI

Italy to approach UN, EU over marines

Pak minister cites India's example to flay Taliban

Islamabad, February 19
A Pakistani minister today criticised the Taliban for killing 23 security personnel in their captivity, saying even India which was "considered an enemy" treated prisoners of war with dignity.

Talking about the 1971 war when nearly 90,000 Pakistani troops were taken prisoners of war by India, Information Minister Pervez Rashid said, "Even India, which was considered an enemy, treated the prisoners as per international conventions."

"Even we treated Indian prisoners of war similarly," Pervez Rashid said.

Criticising the Taliban, Rashid said, "They (Taliban) talk about Sharia, but is this what Sharia teaches them to do with prisoners? They should explain this."

The Taliban had on Sunday announced the killing of 23 Frontier Corps personnel. The security personnel had been in Taliban's custody since 2010. — PTI

Pak banker testifies against Mumbai attack accused

Islamabad ‘extremely dangerous’

Islamabad, February 19
Pakistan's capital has been declared as "extremely dangerous" by the Interior Ministry due to the presence of sleeper cells of banned terror groups like the Al-Qaida, a report said today.

According to the report, Islamabad is at high risk because of the presence of sleeper cells of the banned organisations including including Al-Qaida, TTP and Lashkar-e-Jahngvi (LeJ).

Banned outfits of Pakistani Taliban and LeJ are a real threat in Punjab while the target killers, Qaeda and LeJ, are targeting Sindh, Geo TV reported.

The Interior Ministry report will be presented before the standing committee of National Assembly. — PTI

Two Indians awarded for honesty

Dubai, February 19
Two Indians have been awarded by the UAE government in recognition of their honesty after they returned over 60,000 dirhams which they found on a street to the police.

UAE's Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded Biju Krishna Kumar Pillai Vijayan and Sony Thomas at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi for their honesty.

Vijayan and Thomas found 60,000 dirhams ($16,335) in one of Al Khalidiya streets and handed it over to the police station to return the sum to its owners, Gulf News reported today without mentioning when the duo found the money. The ceremony was attended top UAE officials. — PTI