In Brief: Cleric says 7 supporters killed in Pakistan clash

Cleric says 7 supporters killed in Pakistan clash

LAHORE, Pakistan -- Fighting between Pakistani security forces and supporters of a fiery anti-government cleric killed seven people as they were heading towards a planned demonstration in the city of Lahore, the cleric claimed Saturday. Authorities have contested the cleric's claim and put the death toll from clashes to two, including one police officer.




Yemen: Airstrike kills 3 al-Qaida suspects

SANAA, Yemen -- A U.S. drone strike on a house in central Yemen killed three suspected al-Qaida militants, Yemeni security officials said.

The officials said the aircraft struck the house in the Obeida Valley in Marib province, where al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has a strong presence. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

A website affiliated with the Yemeni al-Qaida branch meanwhile confirmed earlier reports that militants had killed 14 soldiers on Friday near the city of Shibam.


Tiger carries away woman in eastern India

KOLKATA, India -- A tiger snatched a woman and disappeared into the surrounding mangrove forest in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, an official said Saturday.


After the husband reported the attack, forest guards searched for the woman, but as of Saturday had found no trace.


Russia starts drillingits northernmost oil well

MOSCOW -- Russia has begun drilling on its northernmost oil well, in the Kara Sea off the northern coast of Siberia.



President Vladimir Putin praised the project as an example of "pragmatism and common sense."

-- from wire reports