Bangladesh 'losing on corruption'

Corruption in Bangladesh has continued to thrive since the interim government took power last year pledging to tackle it, Transparency International says.

Thousands of people, including leading politicians and businessmen, have been detained in a crackdown on crime.

But the watchdog said that in some sectors of the country corruption had actually increased since January 2007.

One of the survey's authors said corruption remained a deep-rooted menace in Bangladesh.

Bribes

The military-backed government has not been afraid of going after some of the most influential people in Bangladeshi public life in its attempt to rid the country of corruption.

More than 150 leading politicians, officials and businessmen, as well as in some cases their wives and children, have been put behind bars.

Two former prime ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, are facing charges of graft and extortion, and so is Khaleda Zia's son, Tareque Rahman, who used to be described as the most powerful man in Bangladesh.

His lawyer claims that Mr Rahman has been so badly tortured since being arrested a year ago that unless he receives medical treatment soon, he might no longer be able to walk.

In its latest campaign against crime, the police say they have arrested more than 25,000 people over the past three weeks.

This has put such a strain on the prisons, that the Home Ministry is considering releasing hundreds of prisoners who have served half their sentences.

But despite these draconian measures, Transparency International says that corruption has in some cases actually gone up since the government took over.

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US defends Afghan border strike

The Pentagon has said an air strike by US forces in the Afghan-Pakistani border region, said to have killed 11 Pakistani soldiers, was legitimate.

It said US forces had acted in self-defence after coming under attack in clashes with pro-Taleban militias.

The US state department described the deaths as regrettable, and said there was a need for better communication.

Pakistan's military said earlier that the soldiers had died as a result of an "unprovoked and cowardly act".

The incident took place on Tuesday night at a border post in the mountainous Gora Prai region of Mohmand, one of Pakistan's tribal areas, across the border from Afghanistan's Kunar province.

The US military confirmed that its forces based on the Afghan side of the border had launched artillery and air strikes after coming under fire from pro-Taleban forces.

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China and Taiwan re-start talks

China and Taiwan have resumed formal talks after a gap of almost 10 years.

The talks in Beijing, set to last until 14 June, are expected to lead to agreements on direct passenger flights and tourism.

Dialogue was suspended in 1999 as Taiwan's leaders began to lean towards formal independence, angering Beijing.

But relations warmed after the election in March of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou. He favours closer ties with China, in contrast to his predecessor.

When he took office in May, Mr Ma said maintaining regional stability was his priority.

TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS

Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949

China considers the island part of its territory

China has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong Kong

Most people in Taiwan support status quo


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Former Indian minister arrested

A former minister from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has been arrested in connection with the death of a policeman.

Jamuna Nishad, from the governing Bahujan Samaj Party, quit the ministry over the weekend after a police report allegedly blamed him for the death.

Mr Nishad and his supporters are accused of attacking a police station in Maharajganj district on Saturday.

A constable died during the incident. Mr Nishad denies any wrongdoing.

The politician belongs to the Nishad community and is a popular leader.

"The former minister has been arrested in connection with the attack on the Maharajganj police station and the death of a constable there," senior police officer Akhil Kumar told the BBC.

"He will be produced in court in Lucknow [the state capital] and then sent to [the eastern town of] Gorakhpur," he said.

According to reports, at least 12 other people have been arrested in connection with the case.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

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Mr Nishad is the third minister from Ms Mayawati's cabinet to resign for alleged involvement in a criminal case.

Tamil Tigers overrun navy outpost

Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have attacked and destroyed a small navy outpost in the north-west, killing at least three sailors, the military says.

The rebels attacked in six boats at 0215 (2045GMT) and escaped by sea, taking guns and explosives with them, Sri Lanka's defence ministry said.

Four rebels were also killed in the clash, the Tigers said.

The navy said the attack was beaten back and that in a counter-attack its forces destroyed a rebel boat.

Wounded

"Sri Lanka navy outpost at Erukkalampiddi in the Mannar island has come under pre-dawn attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)," the defence ministry website reported.

"The sailors have defended their post effectively," the report said, adding that three sailors and four rebels had been killed.

Four sailors were also wounded in the clash, the website reported.

The rebels admitted that four of their fighters had been killed, but said the casualties suffered by the sailors were much higher.

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Pakistan troops 'die on border'

At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in clashes on the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Ten of the dead were Pakistani troops, unnamed officials said. Reports said some of the troops may have died in an air strike by US or Nato-led forces.

Eight Taleban militants were also killed in the fighting, a Taleban spokesman said.

None of the Pakistani, Afghan or US militaries, or Nato, have not yet officially commented on the incident.

The soldiers' deaths are reported to have occurred at a border post in the Mohmand region, one of Pakistan's tribal areas, opposite Afghanistan's Kunar province, late on Tuesday.

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Former Nepal king to leave palace

Nepal's former king Gyanendra has spent his last night in the palace compound in Kathmandu which has been home to the royal family for more than 100 years.

He is to move to a new residence in a forest outside the city, which the government says will be a temporary one until he can find a new private home.

The palace is to become a museum and Gyanendra's crown and royal sceptre are expected to become government property.

Last month, Nepal's Maoist-led assembly voted to abolish the monarchy.

Gyanendra Shah, now an ordinary citizen, will give a press conference before he and his wife Komal, the former queen, move to Nagarjun, in the north-western suburbs of Kathmandu, officials say.

Correspondents say that the residence at Nagarjun will barely be a comedown for the former king.

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