UN declares Afghan election ‘legitimate’

UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly declared on Monday that Afghanistan’s presidential election was both credible and sound, despite allegations of widespread fraud that led critics to question the vote’s legitimacy. In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 192-nation assembly also urged the government of re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai to press ahead with “strengthening of the rule of law and democratic processes, the fight against corruption (and) the acceleration of justice sector reform.”

Probe into race attacks on Asians in London

London: Investigation into two alleged racist attacks on Asian students outside a university here has commenced, police said on Tuesday. Around 30 youths, both white and black, confronted Asian students near City University in Islington, central London on Friday and attacked them with metal poles, bricks and sticks. The identities of the Asian students have not been disclosed. In a separate incident earlier in the day, another gang of boys passed racist comments on another student in the same area.

Somali pirates demand $3 million for ship

MOGADISHU: Pirates have hijacked a Panamanian-flagged ship with 18 crew, including 15 Indians, off the east coast of Africa, the latest in an increasing number of attacks. A group of Somali businessmen had hired the al-Mizan to carry cargo from the UAE to Mogadishu, said Abdirisaq Abdulkadir, the head of the consortium. Abdulkadir said there are 15 Indians, two Pakistanis and a Somali on board. A demand for by the bandits were demanding a US$ 3 million ransom.