Pakistan

Police storm prison to free hostages

Police commandos stormed a maximum-security jail in eastern Pakistan where armed prisoners took visiting judges and female inmates hostage Friday. The five hostage-takers and three of the judges were killed, officials said.

The commandos were called in after hostage-takers threatened to kill their captives six hours after seizing them, police official Malik Iqbal said.

The prisoners earlier freed four judges, who told police the hostage-takers — all men — wanted a small bus, weapons and safe passage. It was not known how the rioting prisoners obtained weapons.

TORONTO

Canada trying to cope with mad cow crisis

Government officials announced additional aid for Canada’s beleaguered cattle industry Friday, responding to a mad cow disease scare that has led 35 countries to ban Canadian beef.

Alberta beef producers will receive a total of $136 million, Ontario $12.5 million, and Saskatchewan $8.6 million.

Those funds will augment $136 million in federal aid. Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said there could be more funds if provinces signed on to a new agricultural policy.

HAVANA

First shipment of U.S. livestock comes to Cuba

A shipment of livestock including 140 cattle — one born during the trip — arrived in Cuba, the first batch of American animals to be sold here.

The shipment was made under a 2000 exception to the long-standing U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. American agricultural products can be sold to the island as long as transactions are done in cash or by financing from a third country.