Court grants Imran bail in 3 terrorism cases
Lahore, March 25: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Saturday granted pre-arrest bail to ousted prime minister Imran Khan till April 4 in three terrorism cases registered against him by the Lahore police. Khan, 70, appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here and was accompanied by scores of his supporters. Khan told ATC judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar that he wants to join the investigation in three terrorism cases registered against him by Lahore’s Racecourse police. The Lahore police had registered these three cases against Khan in connection to the clashes between PTI workers and police during an operation to arrest Khan in the Toshakhana gifts case. On Friday, the Lahore High Court extended the protective bail of Khan till March 27 in five terrorism cases registered against him in Islamabad. The former premier is facing over 140 cases under terrorism, murder, attempted murder and blasphemy registered against him during the last 11 months by the PMLN-led coalition government. (PTI)
Eric Garcetti sworn in as US envoy to India
Washington, March 25: Eric Garcetti, President Joe Biden’s close aide, was officially sworn in as the US Ambassador to India by Vice President Kamala Harris, ending over two years of delay to fill one of Washington’s most critical diplomatic position. Garcetti’s daughter Maya held the Hebrew Bible during the swearing-in ceremony on Friday, which was presided by Vice President Harris. Garcetti raised his right hand while Harris performed the ceremony, and family members cheered when the two longtime friends shook hands. The ceremony was attended by his close family members, including wife Amy Wakeland, father Gil Garcetti, mother Sukey Garcetti and mother-in-law Dee Wakeland. “It feels great. Can’t wait to serve,” Garcetti, 52, said when asked about his new diplomatic assignment. Former Mayor of Los Angeles Garcetti’s nomination was pending before the US Congress since July 2021 when he was nominated by President Biden. The Senate voted 52 to 42 to confirm Garcetti earlier this month after his nomination stalled amid concerns by some lawmakers that he had not adequately handled allegations of sexual assault and harassment against a former senior adviser. (PTI)
Migrants found ‘suffocating’ in train; 2 dead
Uvalde (Texas), March 25: Police in South Texas said Friday that two migrants were found dead and at least 10 were hospitalized after authorities received a call that they were “suffocating” in a train car travelling near the US-Mexico border. The Uvalde Police Department said Border Patrol was informed of the phone call and able to stop the train. About 15 migrants were found inside, according to a statement from the department. The condition of those hospitalized was not immediately known. (AP)
