Pakistan drops media restrictions

Pakistan's new government has moved to withdraw restrictions on the media that were imposed by President Pervez Musharraf last year.
Minister Sherry Rahman has introduced a parliamentary bill proposing to end the ban on live broadcasts.
It also proposes to scrap punishments for journalists who "defame" the president, the government or the army.
Radio and TV news, and any criticism of the government, were banned when emergency rule was imposed in November.
Journalists have protested against the media restrictions.
The restrictions included jail terms and fines for those responsible for live programmes or any publication that the army and the government finds defamatory.
"The amendments will remove the entire apparatus of restrictions imposed on the press," Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters.
Ms Rahman said the media will be free to broadcast.
"We will put our own house in order and we will allow the press to broadcast not just live telecast but all that they feel fit to broadcast," she said.
President Musharraf had blocked live broadcasts by several private channels after their televised rallies in support of the chief justice and criticisms of the president and army.

Baghdad clashes 'kill 13 gunmen'

US and Iraqi forces have killed at least 13 gunmen in heavy battles around Baghdad's eastern Sadr City, the US military has said.
In a statement, it described the battle in the slum - a stronghold of supporters of radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr - as "complex".
Despite the violence, authorities have eased a two-week blockade of the area.
Cars are being allowed in and out at some crossings, although other routes around Sadr City remained blocked.
Residents described the clashes as among the worst fighting there since Iraqi forces launched an offensive against the area a week ago.
Situation 'stable'
US forces used both tanks and air support the Sadr City street battle.
"No US or Iraqi army soldiers were seriously injured and we went on to complete our mission," Maj John Gossart, executive officer of the battalion involved in the fighting, said.
Despite the fighting in Sadr City, the Iraqi government's Baghdad security spokesman, Maj Gen Qassim Moussawi, said the situation was stable and the overnight clashes would not interfere with plans to lift the blockade.
In Najaf, a curfew remained in place after the murder of a close aide to Moqtada Sadr.
The cleric blamed the "occupation" for the death of Riyad al-Nuri, who was killed by gunmen after Friday prayers.