Briefly World: Wont give up Snowden: Putin

WASHINGTON: The US soldier convicted of providing secret files to WikiLeaks in the biggest breach of classified materials in the nations history has asked for a presidential pardon,supporters said on Wednesday. The request for Private Chelsea Manning,formerly known as Bradley,was filed by attorney David Coombs on Tuesday,according to a statement on the Pardon Private Manning website. reuters

Another attack on Italys black minister

ROME: Italys far-right Forza Nuova party left three mannequins covered in fake blood at the door of a city administrative office in Rome on Wednesday in the latest attack on Italys first black minister,Cecile Kyenge. The party posted pictures of the mannequins on its Facebook page with comments by a spokesman saying the protest was aimed at stopping Kyenges campaign to make it easier for immigrants to get Italian citizenship. reuters

Hindus,Sikhs to get Afghan House seat

KABUL: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has issued a legislative decree that gives minority Hindus and Sikhs a seat in the countrys next parliamentary election. A statement Wednesday from the presidency said the seat would be in the parliament8217;s lower house. AP

Woman steals 1mn from Afghan bank

KABUL: Officials said a young woman stole 1.1 million from Afghanistans Azizi bank by transferring the money to relatives accounts. She then vanished,setting off an international hunt. Investigators said at least 10 people aided the young woman,whom they identified only as Shogoofeh. Ap