US soldier-WikiLeaks link not found

WASHINGTON: US military investigators have been unable to find a direct link between jailed Army PFC Bradley Manning and WikiLeaks, however, the alleged source of the WikiLeaks diplomatic cables did download files illegally maintain military investigators, US website said.

The officials say that while investigators have determined that Manning had allegedly unlawfully downloaded tens of thousands of documents onto his own computer and passed them to an unauthorized person, there is apparently no evidence he passed the files directly to Assange, or had any direct contact with the controversial WikiLeaks figure.

WikiLeaks founder Assange has repeatedly stated that he had no contact with Manning prior to “reading his name in a magazine.” WikiLeaks has, however, provided $15,000 towards Manning”s legal fees, and Assange has referred to him as a “political prisoner.”

Hajj scam: More religious ministry staff members found involved

FIA extended the circle of its investigation into the Hajj corruption case after it managed to get hands on evidence regarding the involvement of some staff members of religious affairs ministry.

According to the sources, evidence has been found, which confirmed the alleged involvement of some staff members of the religious ministry deputed in Saudi Arabia in the accommodation scam in two holy cities of Makkah and Medina.

It is also learnt that action would be taken to arrest the accused soon for which FIA would contact the Interpol. Efforts are also underway to collect more proof regarding Hamid Saeed Kazmi, ex-minister for religious affairs and secretary for religious affairs Agha Sarwar.

Hajj scam: SC forms bench to hear suo moto case on Dec 6

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday took suo moto notice of the alleged corruption in Hajj arrangements and formed a 5-member bench in this regard to hear the case on Dec 6.

The CJP would head the 5-member bench while the other members include: Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Raja Fayyaz, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Ramday. The SC has sent notices to secretaries of concerned ministries, Minister for science and Technology Azam Swati, Minister for Religious Affairs, Chairman NAB, former DG Hajj Shakeel Rao, secretary establishment and secretary interior in this respect.

Faisalabad’s eunuchs protest against murder of a fellow

Staff Report

FAISALABAD: The eunuchs of the city staged a protest against the murder of a fellow eunuch on Friday.

According to details, dozens of eunuchs rallied at Faisalabad Press Club and blocked the District Council Chowk for one hour.

The local president of the eunuchs, Bunty, said on the occasion that the kind of brutal treatment, to eunuchs, had been rendered by the police in Lahore, you can not find any similar example all across the country.

The eunuchs were protesting against the alleged murder of a fellow eunuch, reportedly 25-year-old Amir Sohail alias Jhali, who was killed yesterday under mysterious circumstances in Iqbal Town, Lahore. Trend Pk

Gruesome find told at US hearing into Afghan killings

KABUL: An investigator told how he found dismembered fingers near the quarters of an alleged rogue US army unit accused of killing Afghans for sport and taking trophies from the bodies.

The gruesome testimony came as a third US soldier faced a pre-trial hearing over the alleged killings — after which the rogue soldiers allegedly posed for photos with their victims — in southern Afghanistan earlier this year.

If proved in a full court martial, the crimes would be among the worst committed by US forces in Afghanistan, and could deal a blow to efforts to win over the support of ordinary Afghans in the war-torn country.

Private Andrew Holmes, one of five soldiers accused of going rogue, listened quietly as Special Agent Benjamin Stevenson described finding severed fingers near where members of the unit lived.

Army prosecutors allege Holmes participated

60 suspects arrested in overnight Karachi raids

Staff Report

KARACHI: In an overnight joint crack down, police and rangers nabbed some 60 suspects for their alleged involvement in violent activities, including set ablaze shops and vehicles.

According to reports, law enforcement agencies conducted raids in New Karachi, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulberg, Landhi and Malir, arresting dozens of people.

Police said that arms were also recovered from some of the suspects. Trend Pk

60 suspects arrested in overnight Karachi raids

Staff Report

KARACHI: In an overnight joint crack down, police and rangers nabbed some 60 suspects for their alleged involvement in violent activities, including set ablaze shops and vehicles.

According to reports, law enforcement agencies conducted raids in New Karachi, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulberg, Landhi and Malir, arresting dozens of people.

Police said that arms were also recovered from some of the suspects. Trend Pk

Relatives of rape victim protest police inaction

Staff Report

LAHORE: Hundreds of enraged relatives of a rape victim gathered outside the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore to protest against police refusal to lodge a complaint.

Sajida, 12, a resident of Lahore’s Hanjarwal area, was subjected to sexual assault after being abducted on gunpoint.

Sajida’s family says that police is not acting against the alleged kidnappers and is exerting pressure on them for an out-of-court settlement, instead of taking action against the accused.

Demanding justice, the protesters demanded of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take notice of the issue. Trend Pk

India orders probe into Delhi Games corruption

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has launched an official investigation into allegations of corruption and mismanagement during the preparations for the Delhi Commonwealth Games, reports said Saturday.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) national watchdog ordered the probe into various Games-related projects a day after Thursday’s closing ceremony, the Press Trust of India said.

“The audit work for the Commonwealth Games is related to work payments, contracts and leasing of sports equipment among others,” the official news agency said.

A high-powered panel of investigators headed by a former chief of the CAG will submit its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by January.

The panel will look into “the organisation and conduct of the Games, fix responsibility for the alleged irregularities and also prepare a dossier on the lessons learnt for

Two terrorists killed, one held in Swat

Staff Report

SWAT: Two terrorists were arrested and another arrested after a clash with security forces in Matta Tehsil of scenic Swat Valley on Saturday.

According to military sources, troops surrounded Asharay village of Matta on a tip off that three suspected militants were trying to enter the area.

The men opened fire when security forces tried to access their car to perform a check. However, security forces retaliated killing two of the three attackers. The third terrorist was arrested.

In addition, a cache of arms was recovered from the possession of the alleged terrorists. SAMAA

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