News In Brief

Opposition leads in Malaysia: poll
Afp, Kuala Lumpur

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim held a slight edge in support over Malaysian premier Najib Razak, according to a survey released ahead of a hotly anticipated election showdown on May 5.
Anwar was favoured as prime minister by 43 percent of voters, compared to 39 percent for Najib, who is battling to stave off an opposition that poses the biggest threat to the ruling coalition in its 56 years in power.
The survey released late Thursday by the University of Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Elections also found that 42 percent of respondents preferred the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact) campaign manifesto while thirty-six percent supported the ruling National Front.

India hospital roof falls; 15 trapped
Afp, Bhopal

Up to 15 people, mostly patients, were feared trapped after part of a hospital roof caved in yesterday in the central Indian city of Bhopal, officials and eyewitnesses said.
Rescuers moved in heavy machinery to cut through the crashed roof of the female surgical ward of Kasturba Hospital, hospital spokesman Vinodanand Jha told AFP.
"Twelve to 15 patients are feared trapped and a relief operation is on," Jha said, adding that rescuers had already dug out five survivors.

India hospital roof falls; 15 trapped
Afp, Bhopal

Up to 15 people, mostly patients, were feared trapped after part of a hospital roof caved in yesterday in the central Indian city of Bhopal, officials and eyewitnesses said.
Rescuers moved in heavy machinery to cut through the crashed roof of the female surgical ward of Kasturba Hospital, hospital spokesman Vinodanand Jha told AFP.
"Twelve to 15 patients are feared trapped and a relief operation is on," Jha said, adding that rescuers had already dug out five survivors.

Venezuela arrests accused US spy
Afp, Caracas

Venezuela said Thursday it has arrested a US national whom it accused of being an intelligence agent tasked with sowing chaos and civil unrest throughout the country.
The alleged agent, Timothy Hallet Tracy, was detained Wednesday at an airport near Caracas as he tried to leave the country, according to Venezuelan officials, who also released pictures of the American.
Washington, which so far has refrained from recognizing Maduro's government, had little to say about the alleged US agent's arrest.

Sudan harboring warlord Kony: Report
Afp, Washington

Sudan appears to be providing shelter to Joseph Kony, one of the world's most wanted warlords, according to a report released yesterday by the Washington-based Resolve group.
Kony is the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, which is infamous for mutilating its victims and abducting children for use as fighters and sex slaves. It has waged an insurgency against the Ugandan government for over 25 years.
A self-proclaimed prophet who claims his rebels are fighting to establish a government based on the Biblical Ten Commandments, Kony and other LRA leaders face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.