At a glance

Hong Kong: A Hong Kong court today ordered 18 mainlanders detained for overstaying in the territory to be freed pending the outcome of th...

Hong Kong: A Hong Kong court today ordered 18 mainlanders detained for overstaying in the territory to be freed pending the outcome of their court case claiming right of abode here. Judge Wally Yeung ordered the immigration department to release the 18 mainlanders, including four minors aged between 8 and 16, immediately.

In handling down his judgement in the preliminary hearing, Yeung said it was possible the 18 had a valid case. A formal hearing date will be set as soon as possible,8217; he said. The ruling came as the immigration department prepared to deport the 18 to the mainland today, a move that prompted 25 mainlanders to stage a protest outside Victoria prison to demand the group8217;s release. The protests have been going on for more than a week following a landmark ruling by the court of final appeal in Hong Kong late last month giving the right of abode to mainland-born children of Hong Kong residents.

COLOMBO: Hopes of talks between the LTTE fighting for an independent homeland in SriLanka8217;s north-east and government brightened today with official media backing a call by religious leaders for a dialogue with the rebels. Positive remarks made by LTTE chief Prabhakaran8217;s close aides8217; to a multi-religious team that visited rebel-held areas of northern Vanni recently are proof that the atmosphere is conducive for talks8217;, state-run Daily News said.

LTTE indicated its willingness to hold talks within framework of a united Sri Lanka during discussions with the delegation, comprising members of the Buddhist clergy and two bishops, and regretted its attacks on Buddhist shrines. The Lankan government has rejected proposals for third-party role and instead expressed willingness to seek help of a facilitator to set things rolling, a stand backed by New Delhi.

JAKARTA: Death toll from religious rioting in eastern Indonesia rose to 20 today as troops patrolled two islands. Fighting between Christians and Muslim gangs from rival villages broke out on Monday on Haruku and Saparua islands, inMaluku province about 2,250 km north-east of Jakarta. Police said that 14 were killed on Monday and another six people died from their wounds today. Witnesses said many of the dead were killed when security forces opened fire on rampaging mobs who had set fire to dozens of homes.Some were stabbed to death. A nurse at Saparua hospital said doctors had removed the fragments of live bullets from several wounded. 8220;Troops are everywhere. But we are still afraid more fighting might start,8221; said one resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Last week in capital Jakarta, armed forces commander Gen Wiranto announced that he had ordered his troops to shoot troublemakers on sight so as to quell rising civil unrest.