In Brief

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable cruise missile ISLAMABA – Pakistan successfully tested yesterday a nuclear-capable cruise missile with a range of 700 km, the military said in a statement.

The Hatf V11 Babur missile is a terrain-hugging, radar-avoiding cruise missile capable of carrying a variety of warheads including nuclear, it said.”The flight data collected validated the design parameters set for the flight test,” the military said. “It is a highly manoeuvrable missile with pin-point accuracy.”The missile was first tested in 2005.Since then, it’s range has been enhanced to 700 km, from 500 km previously, the military said, although it did not say how.President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had congratulated scientists and engineers involved and assured them of complete support in development plans of all strategic projects, the military said.Pakistan’s old rival India has cruise missiles that can be launched from a submarine.The neighbours, who have fought three wars since 1947, both tested nuclear devices in 1998.Their relations have improved since they launched a peace process in 2004.* US soldier gets 27 months in jail CHICAGO – A US soldier who pleaded guilty in connection with the rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her family was sentenced to 27 months in prison, officials at Ft.Campbell in Kentucky said on Wednesday.Private Bryan Howard, 20, also drew a dishonorable discharge after entering a plea agreement at his court-martial, a statement from the post said.He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice and being an accessory after the fact.Murder and rape charges against Howard were dismissed by the government based on his limited role in the crimes, the announcement said.At a hearing in Iraq last year, testimony indicated Howard was at a nearby location but did not participate in the crime itself.Howard waived his request to have his case heard by a military panel and was tried by Colonel Stephen Henley, who imposed the sentence.Nampa-Reuters”It is a highly manoeuvrable missile with pin-point accuracy.”The missile was first tested in 2005.Since then, it’s range has been enhanced to 700 km, from 500 km previously, the military said, although it did not say how.President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had congratulated scientists and engineers involved and assured them of complete support in development plans of all strategic projects, the military said.Pakistan’s old rival India has cruise missiles that can be launched from a submarine.The neighbours, who have fought three wars since 1947, both tested nuclear devices in 1998.Their relations have improved since they launched a peace process in 2004.* US soldier gets 27 months in jail CHICAGO – A US soldier who pleaded guilty in connection with the rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her family was sentenced to 27 months in prison, officials at Ft.Campbell in Kentucky said on Wednesday.Private Bryan Howard, 20, also drew a dishonorable discharge after entering a plea agreement at his court-martial, a statement from the post said.He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice and being an accessory after the fact.Murder and rape charges against Howard were dismissed by the government based on his limited role in the crimes, the announcement said.At a hearing in Iraq last year, testimony indicated Howard was at a nearby location but did not participate in the crime itself.Howard waived his request to have his case heard by a military panel and was tried by Colonel Stephen Henley, who imposed the sentence.Nampa-Reuters