Briefly World

Nuclear capability a compulsion for Pak

Islamabad: The retention of an essential nuclear capability is a compulsion for Pakistan because of the growing imbalance created by Indias massive military build-up and assertive posturing,said General Tariq Majid,Pakistans Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. He was addressing a convocation ceremony at the National Defence University on Thursday. Pakistan has to be mindful of the blatant pursuit of military preponderance in our neighbourhood and the build-up of conventional and nuclear forces,Majid said.

Police: Iraqi interpreter for US Army killed

BAGHDAD: An Iraqi interpreter for the US military was gunned down on Friday by his son and nephew north of the capital after he refused their demands to quit his job,a police official said. Hameed al-Daraji was shot in the chest in Samarra,95 km from Baghdad,Lt Emad Muhsin said. Muhsin said al-Daraji worked as a contractor and translator for the US military since 2003 against the wishes of his family. His relatives were constantly fighting with al-Daraji to give up working with the Americans.

Obamas popularity rises in Russia,China

BERLIN: US President Barack Obama has maintained much of his high popularity abroad after more than a year in office,a new global survey has found. According to a survey of nearly 25,000 people in 22 countries published on Thursday by the Pew Research Center,the popularity of the US has risen most notably over the past year among respondents in Russia and China. The US continues to have the most difficulty improving its image in Muslim countries. The Global Attitudes survey was conducted in April and early May both by telephone and through face-to-face interviews by the Pew Research Center.

Aussie man jailed for blowing bubble in court

Sydney: An Australian was jailed for 30 days for blowing a bubble in court,reports said on Friday. Mirza Zukanovic,20,was up an assault-related charge when he blew his gum into a bubble and popped it as he looked at magistrate Rodney Crisp,News Limited newspapers said. Instead of demanding an apology,Crisp sent Zukanovic down to the cells for scandalising the court and challenging its authority. He was later freed by Melbournes Supreme Court pending an appeal against the sentence,which his lawyer described as too harsh.

Austria: Man hoarded a million child porn pictures

Vienna: Austrian authorities say they have arrested a man who hoarded more than a million child pornography pictures and videos. The Federal Criminal Investigations Bureau says the 53-year-old,who has not been named,stored the material on eight hard drives,a personal computer,a laptop and DVDs. A statement issued by the bureau on Friday says the material,seized during a search of the man8217;s home,shows children under the age of 14 being sexually abused.