News in Brief

Turkey court blocks park project
Afp, Istanbul

A court in Turkey has scrapped a controversial plan to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park that sparked protests which snowballed into deadly nationwide unrest, media reported yesterday.
The administrative court justified its ruling, made last month but only revealed by Turkish media on Wednesday, by saying that the "local population" had not been sufficiently consulted about the redevelopment project.

Mumbai building collapse kills one
Afp, Mumbai

A two-storey building housing apartments and garment makers has collapsed near Mumbai, killing one person, police said yesterday-- the fifth deadly collapse around the Indian financial capital in the past few months.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene late Wednesday in Bhiwandi city in western Maharashtra state. At least 20 people have already been rescued, officials said.

Pakistan ends moratorium on executions
Afp, Islamabad

Pakistan's new government has ended a moratorium on executions, an official said yesterday as Amnesty International raised concerns about a "shocking and retrograde step".
Under the previous government led by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), no one except a soldier convicted by court martial was put to death since 2008.

Female Afghan police officer shot dead
Afp, Kandahar

Gunmen yesterday shot dead one of the most high-profile female police officers in Afghanistan, underlining the threat to women who take on public roles in the country.
Bibi, aged 37 and a mother of three, was seen as an example of how opportunities for women have improved in Afghanistan.