Ex-major's loyalties embody Pakistan's jihad woes

A former major who trained fighters for war in Afghanistan and Kashmir keeps cropping up in terrorism investigations in Pakistan. But police say the gray-haired grandfather is shielded by his links to the army and powerful intelligence agencies.

The case of Ahsanul Haq shines a light on a murky side of the militancy infecting Pakistan: the extent to which retired members of the security agencies allegedly support or tolerate Islamist militants they once nurtured for foreign policy aims.

The recent arrest of another former army major with alleged links to the suspect in New York's Times Square bomb plot rekindled these concerns. The man has since been released, …

Angolan government, rebels sign cease-fire agreement

LUANDA, Angola - The Angolan government and the UNITA rebel groupsigned a cease-fire agreement today as a first step toward ending theAfrican nation's protracted civil war.

The agreement includes a pledge by the foes to abide by the termsof …

UN chief hopeful rebel visit to Uganda capital will spur end to conflict

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that the first visit to Uganda's capital by delegates from the Lord's Resistance Army will create momentum to settle the brutal conflict between the government and the rebel group.

"He commends the government of Uganda and the LRA leadership for their continued commitment to the peace process," U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Friday.

Ban also called on international and regional actors who have been assisting the peace process "to continue their crucial support until an acceptable solution is found for this longlasting conflict."

The Lord's …

Keane, Jacobsen spark WW South

It didn't take Wheaton Warrenville South girls soccer coach Guy Callipari long to respond Saturday when he was asked to size up his team's performance this season.

``I'm very pleased,'' Callipari said after the Tigers knocked off No. 9 Fremd 1-0 in pool-play

action of the Naperville Invitational at Neuqua Valley. ``To be 6-2-2 with what we've gone through with injuries is a great accomplishment.''

Those injuries have taken their toll on Wheaton Warrenville South's defense, but you wouldn't know that by watching the game Saturday.

The foursome of Lauren Carroll, Anna Carey, Sarah Langlas and Kalyn Jones came up big when needed to help junior goalie Kristen …

Central Pennsylvania manufacturers have tradition, strategy

REGION

While the ranks of national and state manufacturers have slimmed over the decades, Central Pennsylvania's industrial facilities have kept tradition and strategy at the heart of their operations.

Some Central Pennsylvania companies find that their traditional home in the Susquehanna Valley is a good strategic fit. Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation Inc. in York County, is one of those companies, Jim Kepler said. The West Manchester Township location is the German company's North American headquarters and production facility. Kepler is the business development manager.

S. Morgan Smith founded the company in the 1880s. It made water turbines for mills in Central …

Vick Pleads Innocent in Dogfighting Case

RICHMOND, Va. - Michael Vick pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal dogfighting charges and was released without bond until a Nov. 26 trial.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three others entered their pleas in U.S. District Court to conspiracy charges involving competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines. Federal prosecutors say the operation - known as Bad Newz Kennels - was run on Vick's property in Surry County.

Among the conditions set for all the defendants is that they surrender their passports, that they not travel outside their immediate area without court approval, and that they do …

West Indies rallies against South Africa

South Africa set West Indies a challenging target after scoring 183-7 in the World Cup Twenty20 match at The Oval.

Herschelle Gibbs smashed 55 from 35 balls, including eight fours and one six, while openers Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith contributed 45 and 31 respectively in the Super8 game.

But Jerome Taylor took 3-30 as West Indies belatedly slowed the scoring rate by taking five wickets for 35 runs in the final five overs.

Chris Gayle won the toss and asked South Africa to bat first on an excellent wicket with a fast outfield.

Taylor conceded just two runs in his opening over, but his next went for 16, which included a towering six …