India approves $2.5b missile deal with Israel
Dawn.com, New Delhi
India on Friday approved a $2.5 billion deal with Israel to develop medium range surface-to-air missiles for the Indian army, The Hindu reported.
The deal to build the missiles, reported to have a range of 50-70 kilometres, was approved during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the daily reported.
Five regiments, which consists of 40 units and 200 missiles, are to be developed under the deal.
Gambia arrests former spy chief, 8 others
VOA News, Benzel
Authorities in Gambia have arrested the former head of the National Intelligence Agency, which has been accused of systemic human rights abuses while it was under the control of ousted former President Yahya Jammeh.
Officials said Yankuba Badjie and eight other NIA employees were arrested Monday. No specific charges were listed.
Car bomb kills 2 soldiers in Afghanistan
AP, Kabul
An Afghan official says a suicide car bomb has killed at least two soldiers and wounded three others in southern Helmand province.
Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the attack took place Friday morning when a suicide car bomb exploded at a police security post in the district of Girishk.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Taliban insurgents are active in southern provinces.
Pakistan ready to work with Kabul
AP, Islamabad
Pakistan on Thursday signalled its readiness to get past recent tensions with Afghanistan over terror sanctuaries, but did not commit to immediate reopening of border crossings.
“Pakistan is ready to work with Afghanistan on all issues in a spirit of mutual respect, trust and cooperation… Decision on the reopening of Pak-Afghan border will be taken in due course,” Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at the weekly media briefing.
