News in Brief

Pak civilian dies in Indian border fire

Afp, Islamabad
Pakistani officials yesterday accused Indian troops of killing a civilian and wounding four others in "unprovoked firing" across the border in its eastern province of Punjab.India and Pakistan often accuse each other of violating a 2003 ceasefire agreement. The two countries have fought three wars, two of them over the divided and disputed Kashmir region.

Airstrikes kills 28 in NW Pakistan

Afp, Bannu
Pakistan's military yesterday bombed six militant boltholes in the troubled North Waziristan region, killing at least 28 insurgents, officials said.  Pakistani jets and artillery began hitting rebel targets in North Waziristan in mid-June to try to regain full control of the district and ground forces moved in on June 30.

False rape claim caused Myanmar riots: Report

Afp, Yangon
Myanmar's latest religious clashes began after a Buddhist woman was paid to make false rape claims against two Muslim brothers, state media reported yesterday.Two men -- a Buddhist and a Muslim -- died in riots in the country's second city Mandalay that flared on July 1 following social media reports that the Muslim men had raped a Buddhist employee at their tea shop. More than 20 others were wounded in the riots.

Heavy clashes erupt around Tripoli airport

Afp, Tripoli
Islamist militiamen yesterday stepped up their assault on Libya's main airport, two days after the collapse of a truce with rival ex-rebels who control the facility, a security official said. At least  one civilian killed in the violence. Islamist militia first attacked the airport on July 13, forcing a halt to all flights. The offensive has since caused extensive damage to planes and airport infrastructure that aviation officials say will keep it closed for months.