Lastnight world

Corruption cases against Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari cannot be reopened in courts in Switzerland as he enjoys absolute immunity under international law,top Swiss legal official said on Saturday.

Zardari graft cases cannot be opened in Switzerland

ISLAMABAD: Corruption cases against Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari cannot be reopened in courts in Switzerland as he enjoys absolute immunity under international law,top Swiss legal official said on Saturday. Swiss Attorney Gen Daniel Zappelli made the remarks in an interview with a Pakistani news channel on Saturday night. Asked if a closed case can be reopened if the government of a country makes a request as in the case of President,the Swiss official said this is a big problem because the head of state,the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister enjoy absolute immunity under international law.

Yemeni child bride dies after being tied up,raped

SHUEBA: A 13-year-old Yemeni child bride who died shortly after marriage was tied down and raped by her husband,her mother said. Nijma Ahmed,50,said that just before her daughter lost consciousness she described how her 23-year-old husband had tied her up and forced himself on her. She bled to death hours later. Elham Assi died April 2,four days after she was married. A forensic report said her vagina and rectum were deeply ripped,causing her to hemorrhage.

Thai Army pulls back from protest clashes,15 dead

BANGKOK: Thai soldiers and police fought pitched battles on Saturday night with anti-government demonstrators in streets enveloped in tear gas,but troops later retreated and asked protesters to do the same. Fifteen people were killed,including a Japanese journalist,and more than 650 wounded,according to hospital officials. Beleaguered Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on national television shortly before midnight to pay condolences to the families of victims and indirectly assert that he would not bow to protesters demands to dissolve Parliament.

Iran says Iraqs govt must include Sunnis

TEHRAN: The Iranian ambassador to Baghdad says Iraqs new government should include Sunnis. Hassan Kazemi Qomis comments reflect a shift for neighboring Iran,which has advocated an Iraqi government dominated by fellow Shiites. He said Saturday that any successful government would have to include former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi8217;s Iraqiya bloc,which drew on heavy Sunni support to come out two seats ahead in the March 7 vote. Neither Allawis list nor Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis Shiite-led bloc got enough support. Now theyre scrambling to cobble together enough backing to form a government.