LONDON: American planes started to drop time-fused mines at the entrances to North Viet-Namese ports today [May 9], only hours after President Nixon outlined stiff measures against North Viet-Nam in a special broadcast. Ships of the Seventh Fleet steamed to positions off the coast to stop vessels entering and leaving the harbours. American destroyers also shelled the port city of Haiphong. Populated areas were hit and set on fire. The blockade of North Viet-Nam appeared to be total covering all supplies heading for North Viet-Nam. President Nixon also made it clear in his special broadcast last night that rail links running north and south, including international connections with China, would now be bombed by US aircrafts. Raids against military targets in the North will also continue. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by the staff correspondent from Peshawar,] A six-member Council of Ministers was sworn in today [May 9] while seven Advisers were also appointed. … Three Ministers, including Mr Amirzada Khan, Mr Ghulam Faruque Khan and Mr Afzal Khan, belong to NAP, two from JUI including Maulana Abdul Baqi and Mr Haq Nawaz and Sardar Inayatullah represent the United Front.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2022