Long-range capability touted in missile test
PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan today tested its longest-range missile yet, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and hitting targets in neighboring India, a defense ministry official said. The official, who did not want to be named, said the test was "100 percent successful." He said the missile could carry both conventional and unconventional warheads, but would not disclose where the test was conducted. The Shaheen 2 missile has a range of 1,250 miles. Pakistan's previous longest-range missile was the Ghouri tested in 1997, which has a range of 810 miles.Pakistan and India, both with nuclear capability, have started talks on a roadmap to peace that will include negotiations to solve their dispute over divided Kashmir -- the issue at the heart of their five decades of hostility. (AP) RUSSIA
Libya returns uranium provided 20 years ago
MOSCOW -- Enriched nuclear fuel the former Soviet Union provided to Libya two decades ago was returned to Russia yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency said. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted an unidentified Atomic Energy Ministry spokesman as saying 88 nuclear fuel assemblies -- bundles of rods that contain fuel used for reactors -- were returned from the Tajura research center outside Tripoli, which had received it between 1980 and 1984. A statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, said it helped Libya in recent days with the removal of weapons-grade uranium from the research facility for transport back to Russia. The uranium was 80 percent enriched and was in the form of fresh, unused fuel, the Vienna-based IAEA said in a statement. (AP)PHILIPPINES
Abu Sayyaf leader says group has 300 fighters
MANILA -- The Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf has about 300 fighters and maintains links with foreign militants, a captured top rebel commander has told Philippine interrogators. Galib Andang, known as Commander Robot, gave insights into the inner workings of Abu Sayyaf, an Al Qaeda-linked group, but evaded questions on his alleged role in terror activities and denied carrying out high-profile kidnappings, according to an official report on the interrogation seen Sunday by the Associated Press. Andang, 37, was captured on Jolo island last December. The United States gave a former Abu Sayyaf rebel nearly $10,000 Friday for giving information that led to Andang's arrest. (AP)COLOMBIA
Murder, kidnap trial begins for rebel leader
BOGOTA -- The most senior Colombian rebel ever captured pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of rebellion but said he was not guilty of murder and kidnapping as his trial began via an unprecedented video hookup. Ricardo Palmera, alias Simon Trinidad, entered his pleas in the two-way link from his maximum-security jail. Authorities said it was too risky to take Palmera, a top commander of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, from his US-built prison north of the capital to the courthouse in the northern city of Valledupar, 430 miles away. "I assume full responsibility for my association with the FARC as an act of rebellion against the state," Palmera told judges from Combita prison. "I dedicated myself primarily to political and educational activities." (AP)CANADA
Hells Angels members sentenced in drug case
MONTREAL -- The Hells Angels in Quebec were dealt another blow yesterday as two members of the notorious Nomads chapter were sentenced for importing drugs and plotting the killings of rival bikers. Andre Chouinard, 44, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and Michel Rose, 48, was given a 16-year term. Prosecutor Andre Vincent said he was satisfied with the sentences, noting that the pair were major drug dealers. "Based on the trafficking, they had contacts with the Colombians and also some members in the United States to import cocaine," he said. (AP)
