Wikinews:Briefs/April 28, 2006

The time is 13:00 (UTC) on 28 April 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Criticism over Qingzang Railway as opening nears
China

The Qingzang Railway is a project by the Chinese Government to build a unique railway linking Tibet with mainland China. The railway will include sections at high altitude, crossing 5000 metre high mountains, long tunnels and lots of track laid on permafrost. The railway is being hailed in China as "an engineering miracle", but has attracted criticism from across the world over fears that the railway will increase Chinese control over the Tibetian autonomous region and will erode Tibetian culture and traditions.

Iran nuclear impasse continues
Iran

The Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the United States against any attack on his country saying "The Americans should know that if they launch an assault against Islamic Iran, their interests in every possible part of the world will be harmed". Earlier this week Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran was ready to begin offering nuclear technology to developing countries.

Pakistani militants behead suspected US informant
Pakistan

Pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's troubled Waziristan province decapitated a cab driver on suspicions that he was an American informant. This is the fourth such killing in the region this month. The deceased was found on Tuesday in a town 25 kilometres south of Wana in an area where US forces are hunting Al-Qaeda militants.

Canadian government in row over flag lowering
Canada

The Conservative government of Canada announced on Monday, April 24 that it will no longer lower the flag on top of the Peace Tower at Parliament Hill whenever a Canadian soldier has been killed in action, reversing a practice set down by the previous government in 2002. Instead, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Harper said that all casualties of war will be honored equally on Remembrance Day.

Closing Comments
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