In brief [Archives:2008/1161/Local News]
– Yemeni Guantanamo detainees call families
Yemeni detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp have been allowed for the first time since their detention in the wake of the September 11 attacks against the US to call their families.
The move came as preparations for handing over 85 Yemeni prisoners to the government began.
However, the United States says Yemen has not provided enough guarantees that will ensure the freed detainees will not return to committing terrorist acts.
SANA'A
– Appeal court upholds sentences against 34 of 1st Sana'a cell
The Appeal court upheld on Saturday in its Saturday hearing preliminary verdict against 29 members of First Sana'a Cell that is composed of 37 members.
They were accused of forming an armed gang for killing peoples.
The verdict stipulated approval of the death sentence against the defendant No. 1 Ibrahim Sharafeddin, and imprisonment for 10 years against 21 defendants, 8 years against 7 defendants and three years against 6 defendants. The court acquitted three defendants due to lack of evidences.
Hadhramout
– 1700 Kg Hashish seized on Pakistani ship on Hadhramout coast
Security forces seized on Tuesday 1700 Kg of Hashish on Yemeni coasts of Hadhramout governorate.
The security sources said that the quantity of Hashish was smuggled from Pakistan and seized onboard of a Pakistani ship with 11 Pakistanis on their way to neighboring countries via Yemen.
Director General of Drugs Combating Administration at the Interior Ministry Khaled Mutahar al-Radhi said that the operation was carried out in framework of cooperation, coordination and information exchanging between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates represented by drugs combating institutions.
– Reproductive health campaign launched in Mukalla
Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs launched on Tuesday a national campaign for reproductive health and family planning in collaboration with Ministry of Public Health and Population and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to last for one week.
During opening of session, director of endowment and Islamic
affairs Ahmed al-Batati pointed out the government's interest in family planning for the benefit of society in light of current economic conditions and the increasing proportion of births that is higher, highlighting that religion did not prevent family planning
Taiz
– Lightning kills seven, injures three
At least seven people have been killed in the district of Muqbana in Taiz province by lightning strikes last week.
Informed local sources said seven persons including a woman and a nine-year child were killed and three young people were seriously injured when lightning struck the district along with heavy rains and thunder.
Lightning killed some livestock in the area as well.
However, the heavy rains damaged many houses in Ibb province but no human casualties were reported.
Roads also have been destroyed and blocked by floods and electricity was cut off due to uprooted electric posts.
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[archive-e:1161-v:18-y:2008-d:2008-05-05-p:ln]
