Briefly world

The United Nations on Tuesday delayed till April 15 the release of its probe panels report on the assassination of former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto.

UN delays Bhutto assassination report till April 15

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Tuesday delayed till April 15 the release of its probe panels report on the assassination of former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has accepted an urgent request by the President of Pakistan to delay the presentation of the report into the circumstances of the assassination of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto until 15 April 2010, a statement issued by Bans office said.

Fonseka could die in custody,fears wife

COLOMBO: The wife of Sri Lankas detained ex-Army chief on Tuesday accused authorities of preventing her husband from receiving vital medical treatment and said he could die in custody. Sarath Fonsekas health had deteriorated since he was held at the naval headquarters. The government insists that he is not being denied specialist treatment.

S Korea on alert over ship sinking issue

BAENGNYEONG ISLAND: South Koreas President ordered the military on alert Tuesday for any moves by North Korea after the defence minister said a mine from the rival country may have caused the explosion that sank a South Korean naval ship. 46 crew members of the ship are still missing. A 53-year-old diver who lost consciousness during the mission to locate the missing crewmen died Tuesday.

French council against burqa ban

PARIS: Frances highest administrative body has concluded that a total ban on Islamic face-covering veils in public risks being found illegal and advises against it. The Council of State also says in a report on the veil that even a limited ban would be difficult to enforce. The council on Tuesday said that a total ban risks violating the French Constitution as well as the European human rights convention.

Indian hotel owner guilty of trafficking

LONDON: The owners of the prestigious Rajput Indian restaurant in Harrogate have been found guilty of a conspiracy to traffic their own chefs from India and exploit them for financial gains. Chef Shahnawaz Ali Khan,his brother Raza Ali Khan and their mother Parveen Khan were found guilty of trafficking up to nine members of staffby the Leeds Crown Court.