World Briefs: Court postpones appeal for punk rockers

The charge, made public Monday at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court, alleges that senior counterterrorism investigator April Casburn offered to keep the News of the World up-to-date on whether police would reopen an investigation into wrongdoing at the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid.

If proven, the charge would mean that the scandal’s chief suspects were being offered inside information from the police force that would eventually arrest them.

Ms. Casburn, 53, spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth at Monday’s hearing. She was released on bail until her next hearing, due Nov. 2, but she did not enter a plea to the charge of violating the Official Secrets Act.

UNITED NATIONS

India decries Pakistan over disputed Kashmir

India’s foreign minister Monday slammed Pakistan for raising the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir at the United Nations.

S.M. Krishna told the General Assembly that India has resumed dialogue with Pakistan and wants to normalize relations. But he lashed out at his country’s South Asian neighbor for bringing up India’s predominantly Muslim state of Jammu and Kashmir in a speech last week by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

“An unwarranted reference has been made to Jammu and Kashmir from this podium,” he said. “We wish to make it abundantly clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.”

A violent separatist insurgency and the ensuing crackdown by Indian forces have killed about 68,000 people in Kashmir, where public resentment against Indian rule runs deep.

HONG KONG

Chartered boat sinks, killing 8, injuring dozens

A chartered boat packed with revelers during a holiday weekend collided with a ferry and sank Monday night off Hong Kong, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more, authorities said.

The boat was carrying about 120 people when the accident happened near Lamma Island, off the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island, a government statement said.

The hired vessel was carrying staff members of a utility company and their families to Hong Kong’s famed Victoria Harbor to watch a fireworks display on a long holiday weekend to celebrate China’s National Day and midautumn festival.

The government said 101 people were rescued and the Hospital Authority said 53 people, including the eight dead, were taken to four hospitals.

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