Women’s slayings to be investigated

Pakistan opened an investigation into the killings of five women who tried to choose their own husbands after a Baluchistan province lawmaker defended what he called “centuries-old traditions.”

The women, three of whom were teens, were shot, thrown into a ditch and buried alive more than a month ago. Authorities say they have arrested three relatives of the women.

It is considered an insult in some conservative regions of Pakistan for women to have affairs or to marry without consent, and rights groups say hundreds are killed by male relatives every year.

Israr Ullah Zehri, who represents the province where the women died, spurred protests when he said Saturday, “These are centuries-old traditions and I will continue to defend them.”

Murder suspect steps down

The head of Panama’s National Assembly, wanted in the United States on murder charges, stepped down from his leadership position.

U.S. congressional leaders have refused to ratify a free trade pact with Panama while Pedro Miguel Gonzalez, accused by Washington of shooting a U.S. soldier in 1992, remained leader of the legislature.

Army Sgt. Zac Hernandez, 22, was gunned down outside Panama City hours before the arrival of President George H.W. Bush, the first visit by a U.S. head of state since the 1989 U.S. invasion to topple Panama’s Gen. Manuel Noriega.

Gonzalez, who remains a member of the legislature after stepping down at the end of his term as president of the assembly, was acquitted of the charges by a Panamanian court and has denied killing Hernandez.

Police held in American’s death

Six Mexican officers have been placed under house arrest on suspicion of homicide after an American man died in police custody in the resort city of San Jose del Cabo, a prosecutor said.

Baja California Sur state deputy prosecutor Omar Barajas said the officers were placed under house arrest Sunday while authorities investigate. He identified the victim as a 38-year-old man from Oregon, but the U.S. Embassy could not confirm his name or hometown.

The man was arrested Wednesday after he was involved in a fight at an apartment complex and died in jail hours later, Barajas said.

A medical examiner recorded minor bruises on the man’s face at the time of his arrest, but more were found on his body after his death, the prosecutor said. Surveillance video and witness statements indicate that officers struck the victim, Barajas said.

Lula suspends intelligence chief

Brazil’s president suspended the head of the nation’s intelligence service amid a scandal over wiretaps on the phones of top officials, including the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

A statement from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s office said Paulo Lacerda was temporarily removed while an investigation takes place.

The scandal broke last weekend, after the Brazilian newsmagazine Veja reported that the head of Brazil’s Supreme Court, members of Congress and officials close to Silva – including his chief of staff and at least one Cabinet official – all had their phones bugged by the intelligence agency.

Veja published transcripts of what it said was a conversation between Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes and opposition Sen. Demostenes Torres.

From Times Wire Reports