Boy confined, tortured for two years
By IANS
Ranchi : A seven-year-old boy was illegally confined and tortured by a farm owner for the last two years in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district until he was rescued by the police.
Prakash, a resident of Ichak block in Hazaribagh, around 130 km from here, was confined in a farmhouse for two years. He was given food just once a day and was branded with hot iron rods for minor mistakes, police said.
The boy was rescued three days ago after locals informed the police. He has been admitted to hospital.
Tehran raps US intent to paint military as terrorists
By DPA
Tehran : Tehran has branded as illegal the alleged intention by the US government to formally apply the label of foreign terrorist organisation to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The government was reacting to reports in the Washington Post and New York Times Wednesday that US President George W. Bush's administration is preparing to take the steps in order to disrupt financing for the elite military wing. Unnamed sources were cited in both papers.
American Jewish group takes Indian Muslims to Israel
By IANS
Tel Aviv/New York/New Delhi : A delegation of Indian Muslim leaders is touring Israel in an unprecedented visit that is part of the American Jewish Committee's (AJC) efforts to showcase the country as a tolerant society and to improve Muslim-Jewish relations.
Maulana Jamil Ilyasi, president of the All India Organisation of Imams and Mosques, is leading the Indian delegation.
Medicine stocks drying up in Manipur after rebel threat
By Syed Zarir Hussain, IANS
Imphal : Hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS in Manipur are hit by an acute drug shortage after pharmaceutical companies stopped medicine supplies following a huge extortion demand by separatists.
"It is very unfortunate that militants were demanding money and threatening pharmaceutical companies resulting in the firms stopping supplies of medicines. We are negotiating with the companies to resume supplies very soon and assured them of full protection and security," Manipur Health Minister Parijat Singh told IANS.
Zaheer’s fitness subject of much speculation
By Ashis Ray, IANS
London : Contradictory signals have emanated about Zaheer Khan's fitness.
The medium pacer has been omitted from next month's Twenty20 World Championship squad due to his bruised heel, Indian selection committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar explained. At the same time, Zaheer was retained for the seven one-dayers against England starting next week.
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid ascribed the physical condition of his bowlers as one of the reasons for him not enforcing a follow on in the recently concluded third Test against England.
Aligs meet in US, launch Aligarh Education Endowment Fund
By Shaheer Khan, Ph.D.
Cleveland, Ohio: The sixth annual convention of the Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations (FAAA) was held on July 27-28, 2008 at Doubletree Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio. The AMU Alumni Association of Cleveland hosted the convention. Representatives from across the United States and Canada attended the convention. It has been the most widely attended convention of the Federation so far.
Cleveland, Ohio: The sixth annual convention of the Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations (FAAA) was held on July 27-28, 2008 at Doubletree Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio. The AMU Alumni Association of Cleveland hosted the convention. Representatives from across the United States and Canada attended the convention. It has been the most widely attended convention of the Federation so far.
500 killed in Iraq suicide bombings
By Xinhua
Mosul (Iraq) : At least 500 people were killed and 375 injured in a series of bombings and mortar shelling that ripped through a village in Sinjar town of this northern Iraqi city, hospital sources said.
"We have received 500 corpses and 375 injured people," said Kifah Muhammad, the manager of the hospital in Sinjar, a town in Nineveh province.
Suspected militants detonated four vehicles laden with explosives in Siba Sheikh Khidr housing compound late Tuesday.
Earlier, officials had said 274 people were killed in the Mosul bombings.
Chief Minister of J&K, invited separtist and millitants for talks
By INS
Srinagar : Asserting that violence cannot solve any problem, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today invited separatists for talks, saying the Kashmir issue can be resolved only through dialogues. In his address to the state on the occasion of the 61st Independence Day, Azad said that no development in state could take place unless violence stops.
Referring to the prevailing political scenario in Pakistan, he said it has hampered peace talks for some time, and expressed the hope that talks would continue after the situation improves there.
Kalam to join Nalanda University soon
By IANS
Patna : Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is likely to be appointed the first Visitor of the proposed Nalanda International University in Bihar by September.
"Kalam will be formally appointed the first Visitor of the proposed Nalanda University by next month after he accepts the offer of the state government," an official in the chief ministers' office said Wednesday.
Official sources told IANS that Kalam would visit Bihar in September to assume his duties at the university. "The government is waiting for Kalam's written consent," an official said.
Jameel Ilyasi retracts, Aziz Burney takes London route to Tel Aviv
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : A nine-member delegation of so-called Muslim intellectuals and journalists flew to Mumbai Tuesday evening and from there they are scheduled to fly for Tel Aviv Wednesday. But two important members of the delegation - President All India Imam Organisation Maulana Jameel Ilyasi and Editor Rashtriya Sahara Aziz Burney - did not reach Delhi (domestic) Airport by the time the airlines was scheduled to fly, reports Urdu daily Hindustan Express Wednesday.
Blasts rock Assam, rebels kill trooper in Tripura
By IANS
Guwahati/Agartala : A paramilitary trooper was killed and another wounded in an ambush by separatists in Tripura while a string of explosions rocked Assam on Independence Day Wednesday, officials said.
A police spokesman said militants of the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) attacked a patrol of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Ganganagar, 115 km north of the state capital Agartala.
"The CRPF team was guarding a highway when militants fired at them killing one and injuring another seriously," a police official said.
India at 60 a cherished moment: Amjad Ali Khan
By Azera Rahman, IANS
New Delhi : Stating that India's 60th independence anniversary was a cherished moment, Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan said that while the country was advancing in all fields, Indians seemed to be losing their identity.
"It is of great pride that we as a nation are growing economically, and Insha Allah will soon be a superpower. But amid all this, we are losing our identity. India is probably the only country where we greet our elders by touching their feet.
Incident-free I Day celebrations in Kashmir
By IANS
Srinagar : Celebrations marking India's 60th anniversary of independence in Jammu and Kashmir passed off peacefully Wednesday even as Srinagar wore a deserted look due to a shutdown call by the separatists.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad unfurled the national flag and took salute at a well-attended function at the Bakshi Stadium here.
"Trade across the Line of Control is now awaiting Pakistan's green signal," Azad said in his speech.
Five suspected drug peddlers killed in Brazil
By IANS
Rio de Janeiro : At least five suspected drug peddlers were killed in a clash with police in a shantytown of this Brazilian state, the Spanish news agency EFE said.
According to the official account, the five were killed resisting a police operation Tuesday in Vigario Geral, the same poor district where in August 1993 at least 21 people were killed by corrupt cops to avenge the deaths of four fellow officers.
The operation was aimed at dismantling groups that control the drug trade in the Vigario Geral and a neighbouring Favela.
Pregnant Colombian journalist murdered
By IANS
Bogota : Colombian journalist Angelica Yaneth Feo was shot and killed by her estranged husband, who was apparently high on drugs, in the west-central city of Armenia, the Spanish news agency EFE said citing police.
Quindio province police spokesmen told the news agency that the 33-year-old journalist, who was more than eight months pregnant, was shot three times at her home Monday. Her unborn child also died.
Her husband Carlos Andres Bedoya, 28, was arrested by Medellin police in a house in the nearby town of Bello, where he fled after the double-murder.
More funds for northeast, Jammu and Kashmir: PM
By IANS
New Delhi : Concerned over insurgency and lack of development in the northeastern states and Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday promised prosperity to its people with more investment and better infrastructure.
"This is our solemn commitment," Manmohan Singh, who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, said in his fourth Independence Day address from the ramparts of the majestic 17th century Mughal fort.
US official visits Pakistan
By Xinhua
Islamabad : US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher arrived here Wednesday for an official visit to Pakistan, private TV channel Geo reported.
Boucher will discuss strategic relations as well as free and fair elections in Pakistan.
Boucher is scheduled to meet President Pervez Musharraf, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and other senior officials and political figures.
He is also expected to have talks over bilateral anti-terrorism cooperation.
Pakistan Rangers greet BSF on I Day
Bomb scare chaos at Howrah station
By IANS
Kolkata : The recovery of an explosive like device on a stationary train sparked a bomb scare at the Howrah station Wednesday but the object turned out to be an electronic circuit an engineering student had forgotten.
"The device is an electronic circuit of some student and not an explosive. Even the roll number of the student was found on the object," West Bengal Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told IANS.
People defy rebel boycott call to celebrate I-Day in northeast
By IANS
Guwahati/Agartala : People in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur defied a six-hour general strike called by separatist rebels to boycott Wednesday's Independence Day by joining the celebrations.
"Despite the boycott call by militants it is heartening to find people coming to attend the Independence Day functions across the region," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS in the state's main city of Guwahati.
Six shot dead near German train station
By DPA
Duisburg (Germany) : Police have discovered five bodies near a German train station with initial investigations indicating a shootout had taken place.
A sixth seriously injured man died on the way to hospital in Duisburg in the Ruhr area in far western Germany, a police spokesperson said Wednesday.
Some of the dead were found sitting in two cars near the city's main train station and the others were lying nearby. All had suffered shots to the head, he said.
Four blasts rock Assam, no casualties
By IANS
Guwahati : Four explosions rocked Assam on Independence Day Wednesday although there were no casualties reported, officials said.
A police spokesperson said there were two blasts each at Gauripur and Bongaigaon in western Assam at around 9 a.m. - all the explosions occurred around the same time.
Two blasts took place in the heart of Gauripur town in Dhubri district, about 280 km west of Guwahati.
Bangladesh pays tributes to founding father
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh Wednesday paid rich tributes to its founding father, slain former president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed calling him "a shining star in the sky of the nation".
This is the first time he has been recognised as "father of the nation" by a government other than that of the Awami League that Mujib helped found in 1949 in the then East Pakistan.
The 60 days to Aug 15, 1947
By Joydeep Gupta, IANS
New Delhi : This is an account of the last 60 days leading to India's independence on Aug 15, 1947:
June 15:
Historic session of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in New Delhi accepts the June 3 plan to partition British India into the dominions of India and Pakistan. The socialists oppose partition.
Another resolution, saying free India will not recognise the independence of princely states, is adopted unanimously.
I-Day celebrations in northeast amid rebel boycott call
By IANS
Guwahati : A six-hour general strike enforced by separatist rebels Wednesday to boycott Independence Day celebrations failed to have any impact in the northeastern states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
Public and private vehicles were plying normally with people beginning to make their way to participate in the national day celebrations in the three states.
Bombings, mortar attacks kill 175 in Iraq
By DPA
Baghdad : A series of bombings and mortar shelling ripping through an area near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul has left over 175 Iraqis killed and 200 wounded, according to an Iraqi Army spokesman.
Two trucks rigged with explosives were detonated simultaneously in Siba Sheikh Khidr housing compound late Tuesday, the independent Voices of Iraq (VOI) press agency said.
The housing compound, described as the largest in Sinjar district, 120 km northwest of Mosul, reportedly came under a mortar attack following the double explosion.
Abdullah paid for favouring India’s secularism
By Sarwar Kashani, IANS
Srinagar : When Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, died in September 1982, over a million grief-stricken followers turned up to bid a tearful adieu to their beloved leader.
Within a few years, things did a U-turn. Abdullah, popularly called Sher-e-Kashmir (Lion of Kashmir), became such a disliked figure among youths that security forces had to be deployed around his grave amid fears that his mausoleum, an architectural masterpiece on the banks of the Dal Lake here, may be bombed.
Muslim delegation visits Israel, earns wide condemnation
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : At a time when India is celebrating 60th Independence Day with utmost zeal and grandeur, a delegation of so-called Muslim intellectuals left the Capital Tuesday evening for Mumbai and will fly from there to Tel Aviv the next day viz. the Independence Day to pay a secret but meticulously planned visit to Israel.
Six die in ‘revenge killings’ in Tamil Nadu
By IANS
Chennai : Six people, including three Muslims and three members of a Hindu organisation, were killed in a clash in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu Tuesday in what police described as "revenge killings". Shops in the area downed their shutters soon after.
The incident in Tenkasi in Tirunelveli district, 600 km south of here, took place when relatives of local Hindu leader Kumar Pandiyan, who was killed by Muslims earlier, attacked the accused when they were leaving a police station.
Report: Abbas may resign if November peace conference fails
By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may resign if a U.S.-proposed international conference scheduled for November failed to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, a Jerusalem-based Palestinian daily reported on Tuesday.
Until the U.S.-sponsored conference is held, Abbas will maintain ties with Israel and the U.S. administration but will keep on his stance not to talk with rival Hamas movement which seized control of Gaza from his Fatah movement, reported the Arabic-language Al-Manar newspaper.
Lawyer stabbed in Patiala House court premises
By IANS
New Delhi : A lawyer was stabbed in the Patiala House court premises here by some unidentified people Tuesday afternoon.
S.K. Arya, whose office is in Chamber 474 in the court complex, was attacked at around 2.45 p.m. near gate No. 6 of Patiala House, barely 100 metres from the Tilak Marg police station near the heart of New Delhi.
He was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where his condition was reported to be serious.
According to the police, Arya had called some people to his chamber in the morning to discuss the water supply problem in their area.
UN gets to verify Maoist soldiers in Nepal again
By IANS
Kathmandu : The UN Tuesday resumed verifying the soldiers of the Maoists' guerrilla army in central Nepal, nearly one and a half months after the verification had been blocked by angry rebels who accused the world body of trying to disarm them. The verification is a critical part of the peace process.
Israeli army kills four Palestinians in Gaza clashes
By DPA
Gaza : Israeli forces killed four Palestinians Tuesday during operations in the south-eastern Gaza Strip, which an Israeli military spokesman said were aimed at preventing rocket attacks against the Jewish state.
Medical officials said Israeli snipers shot a mother and her 25-year-old son while they were in their house.
An Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokeswoman in Tel Aviv said she could not comment on this specific incident, but added that the soldiers in the southeastern strip were firing at sources of gunfire against them.
Musharraf-Bhutto deal finalised: minister
By IANS
Islamabad : The much-speculated 'deal' between Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf and exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has been "finalised, in all details", says Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
The statements being made by Bhutto in various interviews from the US are "political gimmicks", Ahmed was quoted in Dawn newspaper as saying Tuesday. The 'deal', he said, was worked out when the two met in Abu Dhabi last month.
Chhattisgarh to check NGOs in Maoist hotbed
By IANS
Raipur : Chhattisgarh is closely monitoring the work of dozens of NGOs, many of them funded by the government, following reports that Maoists may be getting money from some of them in Bastar region.
Official sources said the government has received inputs that many NGOs active in education, child and women development sectors were helping the rebels financially in Bastar's 40,000 sq km area where Maoist guerrillas are known to run a parallel government.
Pakistan celebrates 60 years of independence
By DPA
Islamabad : Millions of Pakistanis celebrated 60 years of independence Tuesday with fireworks, flag-raising ceremonies, music festivals and prayers across the country.
In capital Islamabad, crowds filled the streets as the clock struck midnight and pyrotechnics lit the sky to mark the creation of a separate homeland for India's Muslims at the end of British rule in 1947.
A 31-gun salute echoed across the city and 21 shots were fired in all four provincial capitals.
Four U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Four American soldiers were killed and another injured in two attacks throughout Iraq on Monday, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.
Three soldiers died of wounds sustained from an explosion near their vehicle while conducting operations in the northern Nineveh province, the military said in a statement.
The attack also wounded one soldier who was then transported toa U.S. medical facility for treatment, it added.
Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in ongoing operation in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Israeli army killed two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including a civilian and a Hamas militant, on early Tuesday morning in an operation which is still going on.
Iranian president holds talks in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad paid a one-day visit to the Afghan capital Tuesday for talks on bilateral and regional issues with President Hamid Karzai.
During the first leg of a three-country tour, Ahmadinejad wanted to broaden existing ties between the neighbours, officials in Kabul and Tehran said.
However, observers believe that the main purpose of his visit was to neutralize US and British accusations that Iran is supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Turkey’s ruling party renominates Gul as presidential candidate
By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) renominated Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul as presidential candidate on Monday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Turkish reliable sources were quoted as saying that Gul has been nominated for the president during AKP's Central Executive Board meeting on Monday evening, adding that Gul is expected to meet opposition leaders on Tuesday.
Hamas: Abbas not to hold early elections unless resorts to Israelis
By Xinhua
Gaza : Hamas officials on Monday accused moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of maintaining a goodties with Israel, saying that his bids to hold early elections could only be brought forth by Israeli assistance.
Yahia Moussa, a Hamas lawmaker, was the latest to attack Abbas by affirming the moderate leader from the rival Fatah movement "can not organize early elections in the Palestinian territories unless he resorts to the Israeli tanks and their strength."
Tight security in Hyderabad for I Day
By IANS
Hyderabad : Police are on high alert in the Andhra Pradesh capital in view of warnings by intelligence agencies that terrorists from Pakistan or Maoist guerrillas might disrupt Independence Day celebrations Wednesday.
Security has been tightened around vital installations, especially defence establishments and central research institutes.
Police were checking vehicles at all entry points into the city following reports that a five-member team of terrorists could sneak in to disrupt the official celebrations of India's 60th anniversary of independence.
Iraqi security delegation starts comprehensive talks in Jordan
By NNN-KUNA
Amman : An Iraqi delegation headed by National Security Advisor Muwafaq Al-Rubaei will start talks here Tuesday with senior Jordanian officials on supplying oil to Jordan, bilateral security cooperation, and giving financial aid to the Hashemite Kingdom in return for hosting Iraqi refugees.
The Al-Arab Al-Yom newspaper quoted a member of the Iraqi delegation saying the Iraqi delegation will hold talks with Jordanian officials on security issues topped by the handing over of those wanted by the Iraqi government currently present in Jordan.
Taliban return control of NWFP town
By IANS
Islamabad : The Taliban have handed over control of Darra Adam Khel in northwest Pakistan to authorities after a week but have threatened to take the town back if "un Islamic activities" take place.
They did so after a tribal council intervened. A joint Pakistan-Afghanistan grand jirga, a meeting of tribal elders, was held in Kabul Aug 8-12.
Musharraf says he is ‘only pro-Pakistan’
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf adopted a nationalist stance in a question-answer session on TV billed as beginning of his campaign to seek re-election to the presidency, insisting that his policies were "only pro-Pakistan".
He also declared that the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project was such an example of his nationalist mindset.
Kolkata man engraves Quran’s verses on India map
By IANS
Kolkata : A Muslim man is paying a unique tribute to India on the occasion of its 60th Independence Day by inscribing excerpts from the Quran on an aluminium map of the country.
"It is my small tribute to the people of the country on such a momentous occasion," Shiraz Hussain, a 38-year-old resident of Garden Reach in south Kolkata, told IANS.
Hussain has inscribed verses from the Quran on a 20-inch x 24-inch aluminium map.
Pakistani PM vows to protect nuclear assets
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday vowed to protect the country's nuclear assets at all costs and not to let any foreign forces enter Pakistan's territory, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
"We will never tolerate if anyone casts an evil eye on our nuclear assets," the Aziz categorically stated in the capital Islamabad at the national flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 60th Independence Day of the country.
Bangladesh flood damage to agriculture estimated at $84 mln
By Xinhua
Dhaka : The devastating flood, which is now on the retreat, has caused damage to crops and vegetables worth about 5.91 billion taka (about 84.4 million U.S. dollars), according to a preliminary estimate of the ministry of agriculture.
Rice crops and vegetables on an area of about 100,000 hectares have been totally damaged by the onrushing flood waters, local newspaper The Financial Express Tuesday quoted official sources as saying.
Two U.S. army choppers make hard landings in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : Two helicopters of the U.S.-led Coalition forces made hard landings in Afghanistan's mountainous eastern region, a statement of the Coalition received here Tuesday said.
"Two Coalition helicopters made hard landings in eastern Afghanistan Monday while flying in bad weather. There is no indication of enemy involvement in the incidents," the statement stressed.
Israel, Palestine agree on international observers in Hebron
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) have signed an agreement regarding the mandate of international observers in Hebron.
The agreement represents the first deal signed between Israel and PNA since their renewal of civilian and security relations in July.
The pact inked Monday is also the first official agreement on the role of the observers in Hebron since the beginning of the second intifada in September 2000, the report said.
Pakistani president urges nation to stand united against terrorism, extremism
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf has appealed to the nation to stand united against terrorism and extremism, which he said were the main hurdles in the way of progress and development of the country.
Speaking at a program aired live by Pakistan Television (PTV) on Monday night, Musharraf said the government was striving to provide the dividends of economic gains to the people at the grassroots level, but a few "misguided" people were trying to hamper these efforts.
US, Iraqi forces engage in operation Lightening Hammer in Diyala
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Operation Lightning Hammer, involving approximately 16,000 Iraqi security and coalition forces, has been launched with a large-scale offensive to defeat Al-Qaeda and other terrorist cells seeking safe haven throughout the Diyala River Valley, said the Multi-National Force (MNF).
In a statement Tuesday, the MNF said this operation, which began Monday, was a key part of the overall operation, "Phantom Strike."
13 militants killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces killed 13 militants after they attacked a security check post in the country's troubled tribal region bordering Afghanistan, the army said Tuesday.
Defence spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said that some 70 militants carried out the attack Monday in northwestern Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal region. He did not say if the forces suffered any casualty.
Musharraf: all policies of gov’t pro-Pakistan, not dictated by other state
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Monday all policies of the Pakistani government are pro-Pakistan and not being dictated by any other state.
Musharraf said he is not following American policies.
He was speaking at a special function to mark the 60th independence anniversary of the country.
The president said he saw everything from Pakistan's point of view as Pakistan comes first.
Pakistan celebrating Independence Day
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan is celebrating the 60th Independence Day on Tuesday with great enthusiasm, national zeal and fervor.
The day dawned with special prayers in the mosques for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of the country. Gun salutes were presented at the federal and the provincial capitals in the morning, local TV channels reported.
Musharraf says Iran gas pipeline is in Pakistan’s interest
By IRNA
Islamabad : President General Pervez Musharraf said on Monday Pakistan is going ahead on the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project despite its opposition.
He was speaking at a special programme, attended by a select group of people drawn from different walks of life, "Aiwan-e-Sadr Say" (from presidency) to mark the 60th independence anniversary of Pakistan.
Pakistan will celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday.
President Musharraf dispelled the impression that Pakistan is doing everything on the behest of others.
President Ahmadinejad officially welcomed by Afghan counterpart
By IRNA
Kabul : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was officially welcomed by his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai Tuesday morning at the presidential premises.
The visiting president arrived in Kabul earlier Tuesday for a day-long visit on the first leg of his three-nation tour of Central Asia which would later take him to Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan as well.
The visit is taking place at the official invitation of President Karzai.
The two presidents reviewed a guard of honor after listening to the national anthems of Iran and Afghanistan.
Regional treaties prevent promotion of unipolar system – Ahmadinejad
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Strengthening of regional treaties is a key factor to prevent the promotion of a unipolar system and will benefit regional nations, peace and security, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
The president launched a three-nation tour of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan to hold talks with senior officials of the three countries over major bilateral, regional and international developments.
UN wants protection of Afghan civilians, welcomes release of SKorean hostages
By NNN-UNNS
Kabul : The United Nations Monday called for increased steps to protect civilians in Afghanistan as conflict and insecurity continue to affect thousands of people, with the number of those killed doubling from 2005 to 2006 and resurgent fighting in the south driving 80,000 others from their homes during the same period.
UN wants better conditions for Palestinian refugees
By Xinhua
Damascus : The UN has called for better living conditions and education for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.
Panos Moumtzis, director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Syria, Monday stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination with the General Authority for Palestine Arab Refugees (GAPAR) to implement decisions and proposals taken at previous conferences to improve the conditions of the refugees.
Iran backs sovereignty of oppressed nations, MP says
By IRNA
Tehran : Member of Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Mahmoud Mohammadi said on Monday that Iran is the only country in the Middle East which stood up to the US hegemony.
Mohammadi made the remarks in a meeting with to Uruguay's Senate MP Laura Gillen in Tehran.
He said that Iranian foreign policy calls for expanding relations with the Latin American countries including Uruguay in political, economic and trade fields.
Washington blacklist Lebanon-based Fatah Al-Islam
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has designated as a terrorist group the al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam, an organisation still engaged in a fierce battle with the Lebanese armed forces north of the country.
"As a result of this designation, all property, and interests in property which Fatah al-Islam has in the US, or which enters the US or comes under the control of US persons, are blocked," said a statement released Monday by the State Department.
Hamas, Fatah hold private talks – Haniya’s political advisor
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : The Palestinians' major movements Hamas and Fatah are making contacts privately to restore their political partnership, said Ahmed Yuossef, the political advisor of sacked Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.
Fatah and the Palestinian presidential office had earlier denied reports of the talks and called on Hamas to backpedal on its coup in Gaza Strip and apologise to the Palestinian people.
Iraqi political leaders hold crucial summit on Tuesday
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi political leaders will hold summit talks here Tuesday to discuss the creation of a "moderate" front, wide-scale reform policy, and reformation of the government, an official spokesman said.
Ali Al-Dabbagh said in a statement Monday the top politicians would discuss the aftermath of the withdrawal of the Iraqi Accord Front from the government, and how to convince the Front to reverse the pull-out decision.
Iraqi leaders need to work for “greater strategic stability” of Iraq- US State Dept
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : It is important that Iraqi political leaders come together to try to bring greater strategic stability to their country, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said
Speaking during a department briefing Monday, he noted that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has announced that a meeting of Iraqi leaders would begin this week.
Pakistan to go ahead with India-Iran gas pipeline
By IANS
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf has said Pakistan will go ahead with the Iran-India gas pipeline project "in its own national interest".
Musharraf was speaking Monday evening during a special programme "Aiwan-e-Sadr Se" (from the presidency), attended by a select group of people, to mark the 60th independence anniversary of Pakistan.
Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day Tuesday.
Bangladesh army official rules out fears of spread of txtremism
By NNN-PTI
Dhaka : The people of Bangladesh have rejected religious extremism, a senior army official has said, ruling out the fears of its spread in the country.
"Such a possibility (the spread of religious extremism) is very slim as the people of this country have rejected extremism," Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury, the army's principal staff officer, told newspersons.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a four-day seminar on "Developing Rules of Engagement and Combating Terrorism," jointly organised by Bangladesh Army and the US embassy here.
Pakistan-Afghan jirga turning point in relations: Aziz
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the Aghanistan-Pakistan peace jirga (council meeting of tribal elders) in Kabul will be a turning point in relations between the two countries.
Pakistan is committed to a strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan and will support all efforts to achieve this objective, Aziz was quoted as saying by the state run Associated Press of Pakistan.
The prime minister was speaking to Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who is also chairperson of the Pakistani jirga commission.
Hamas ready for dialogue with West
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has expressed its willingness to open dialogue with Europe.
"We hope that the calls to launch a dialogue with Hamas would find an echo and would lead to fruitful results," Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement late Monday.
"We reiterate our concerns and readiness for an opened dialogue with the West."
Zuhri hailed a call by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi for talks with the Hamas.
Pakistan-Afghan jirga turning point in relations: Aziz
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the Aghanistan-Pakistan peace jirga (council meeting of tribal elders) in Kabul will be a turning point in relations between the two countries.
Pakistan is committed to a strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan and will support all efforts to achieve this objective, Aziz was quoted as saying by the state run Associated Press of Pakistan.
The prime minister was speaking to Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who is also chairperson of the Pakistani jirga commission.
Situation not ripe for reduction of Indian troops in Kashmir: Governer
By NNN-PTI
New Delhi : Amidst demands for reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor S K Sinha Monday made it amply clear that the situation was not ripe for any such move as the insurgency was yet not under control.
US army reports killing, arrest of 18 terrorists in Iraq’s Sadr City
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The US Army in Iraq reported that Coalition Forces captured 13 suspected terrorists with ties to extremist militia Special Groups in a pre-dawn raid Sunday in Sadr City.
The statement on the MNF website said Coalition Forces conducted the raid to capture or kill highly-sought weapons facilitators with connections to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Maliki calls for crucial talks, threaten to replace ministers
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said he had called on political leaders to hold talks within the next two days to discuss the political deadlock.
Al-Maliki, who was speaking in a press conference on Sunday, said he would replace cabinet ministers of the "Consensus Front" with other Sunni personalities if the ministers continued to boycott the government.
He said the object of the talks was to discuss the political deadlock and the strategic problems facing the cabinet.
Iran talks with Solana, El Baradei progressing – Hosseini
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said Sunday night that talks between Iran's top nuclear negotiator, head of the UN nuclear watchdog and the EU foreign policy chief were "progressing."
Speaking in a televised interview with Channel One of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Hosseini said the talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be held rotatingly in Tehran and Vienna.
Ahmadinejad appoints two new cabinet members
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday appointed two acting ministers for industries and mines, and oil ministries.
In the official announcement, the president introduced Gholam- Hossein Nozari and Ali-Akbar Mehrabian as the oil and industries and mines acting ministers respectively. They will replace Vaziri-Mahaneh and Alireza Tahmasbi. The president thanked the former ministers for their services and appointed Vaziri-Mahaneh as his adviser in oil and gas affairs.
Belgian couple kidnapped in Iran
By DPA
Tehran : Police have confirmed that a Belgian couple has been kidnapped by a notorious gang of bandits in the city of Fahraj in southeastern Iran.
A police spokesman told Fars news agency that the couple was abducted by the criminal band led by Ismael Shahbakhsh, who in return of their safe release demanded the release of Shahbakhsh's brother from a local prison.
Police were searching for two Belgian tourists who have been missing since Saturday.
International conference on peace process to be held in November
By NNN-Xinhua
Ramallah : An international conference to discuss the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process is likely to be held in November, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in statements published Sunday.
The Palestinian National Authority and Israel have recently resumed dialogue and "will try to reinforce as much (solutions) aspossible ahead of the international conference," Abbas added.
Lebanese army destroys militant hideouts in nothern camp
By NNN-Xinhua
Beirut : The Lebanese army on Saturday destroyed a large number of the hideouts of the remaining Fatah al-Islam militants at a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, continuing its hold on the militants.
Battles between the soldiers and the militia were now taking place from street to street and were most intense in the southwestern and northwestern areas of the Nahr al-Bared camp, the official National News Agency reported.
Malaysia a world class Islamic finance centre, says Deputy Finance Minister
By NNN-Bernama
Bachok, Malaysia : More efforts will be made to lure global financial institutions to choose Malaysia as their centre for Islamic financial services, particularly Islamic banking, takaful (insurance) and the Islamic capital market, says Malaysian Deputy Finance Minister Dr Awang Adek Hussin.
V 22 Tiltrotor aircraft ready for action in Iraq
By Gulshan Luthra, IANS
Washington : The world's first new technology aircraft that can land and take off like a helicopter will taste blood in real battle conditions from next month - in Iraq.
Informed sources here indicate that an unknown number of the Tiltrotor V 22 Ospreys, being manufactured by Boeing and Bell Helicopter, were already on their way into Iraq for offensive combat assault and combat support operations.
Malaysia can be Se-Asia’s biggest outsourcing centre, says PM Abdullah
By NNN-Bernama
Balik Pulau, Malaysia : Malaysia can become the biggest outsourcing centre in South East Asia in the electronics and manufacturing sectors, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says.
The target is achievable because the country has skilful manpower and expertise in the two sectors and the opportunities are there because companies, including in the automobile industry, are going for outsourcing as they do not want to shoulder the overall manufacturing costs, he adds.
Taslima is a threat to peace: Asad Owaisi
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MiM) is in the news for an attack on Taslima Nasreen by three of its MLAs. Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of MiM and MP from Hyderabad says that it was not an attack but a protest against Taslima’s actions. Kashif-ul-huda of TwoCircles.net spoke to him about this incident.
TwoCircles.Net: Would you comment on the recent attack on Taslima Nasreen in Hyderabad?
Pakistan welcomes jirga’s decision to talk to rivals
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan on Monday welcomed a decision by the Pak-Afghan peace jirga or council of elders to talk to the opponents.
Some 600 delegates from both sides attend the 4-day jirga, which in its declaration decided that a committee with 25 members from each side will be formed to approach the opponents.
It was a positive development as the scope of the dialogue has been widened to include opposing forces in Afghanistan as well, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.
Four militants killed, 2 troops injured in Pakistan
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistani troops killed four militants after they attacked a security check post in the troubled tribal region on Monday.
Army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad confirmed the killing of three militants.
He said that 70 to 80 miscreants attacked the check post at 2 a.m.
The security forces surrounded the militants in South Waziristan and called more forces for support, correspondents said.
Blair urged to open talks with Hamas
By IRNA
London : Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Mike Gapes, Monday urged former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to open talks with Hamas, the democratically elected majority party in Palestine.
"The appointment of Tony Blair as envoy for the Quartet (UN, EU, US and Russia) presents an opportunity to take a new approach," the senior Labour MP said.
"The decision not to engage with Hamas after the Mecca agreement has proved to be counterproductive," he said in an article for the Guardian newspaper.
Browne denies UK is losing war in Afghanistan
By IRNA
London : Defence Secretary Des Browne Monday denied that British troops were losing the war against remnants of the former Taleban regime in Afghanistan despite the rising death toll.
"I never ever underestimated the degree of difficulty that we face here - but we are making progress," Browne insisted following the death of the fourth British soldier in the southern province of Helmand in the past week.
Germany urges deeper Afghan-Pakistan cooperation
By IRNA
Berlin : Germany on Monday called for stepped up political cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to help stabilize the political situation in the war-stricken country.
Speaking at a routine weekly news conference in Berlin, German deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said closer cooperation between the Afghan and Pakistan government was "urgently needed".
He made clear that improving ties between Kabul and Islamabad was of a "special concern" to the German government.
Gunmen kill banned group leader
By IRNA
Islamabad : Gunmen shot dead a leader of a banned extremist group in the Pakistani city of Peshawar last night, police said.
Muhammad Aslam Farooqi, a provincial leader of Sipah-e-Sahaba, was fired upon by two motorcyclists when he came out of his house at the Khati Chowk neighborhood, Deputy Inspector General Abdul Majeed Marwat said.
He said the police arrested one of the assailants but he did not give more details.
Witnesses said that people arrested the gunman with his pistol as he was trying to flee after the incident.
Lawmaker hopes grounds to be created for Iran’s accession to SCO
By IRNA
Tehran : Head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi said here Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is now among observers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and "We hope grounds for Iran's accession to the treaty will be prepared."
Boroujerdi made the remarks on the threshold of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's regional tours which is to begin on Tuesday.
Iran wishes progress and prosperity to Pakistan
By IRNA
Islamabad : The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran here Monday expressed its best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Independence Day of Pakistan falling on August 14.
The Embassy in a message also expressed the hope that cordial and fraternal relations between the two brotherly nations of the Islamic Republics of Pakistan and Iran will be further strengthened.
Iran backs sovereignty of oppressed nations, MP says
By IRNA
Tehran : Member of Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Mahmoud Mohammadi said on Monday that Iran is the only country in the Middle East which stood up to the US hegemony.
Mohammadi made the remarks in a meeting with to Uruguay's Senate MP Laura Gillen in Tehran.
He said that Iranian foreign policy calls for expanding relations with the Latin American countries including Uruguay in political, economic and trade fields.
Iran reminds US of its responsibility in Iraq
By IRNA
Tehran : Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said on Sunday night that Iran reminded the US of its responsibility in Iraq envisaged in the Geneva Convention for the occupying forces.
"Iran has participated in the talks "to remind US of its duties as the occupier of Iraq," Hosseini said in a televised interview with the Channel One of Iran state-run television, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Vital for the UK to engage constructively with Iran, say MPs
By IRNA
London : An influential group of MPs Monday called on the British government to change its policy and "engage constructively and coherently with Iran" at a time Tehran was rapidly increasing its influence across the Middle East.
The Foreign Affairs Select Committee also said it was "encouraged by signs that the US Administration is now accepting the wisdom" of Britain's long-standing approach to engage with Iran regarding the situation in Iraq.
Hundreds of hindi speaking people fled India’s N-E Assam
By IRNA
Guwahati : Hundreds of panic-stricken Hindi-speakers have fled India's northeastern state of Assam as authorities herded migrant workers into government-run shelters after 36 people were killed in separatist attacks, officials said Monday.
A government spokesman said two relief camps have been set up to shelter migrant workers, besides shifting more than 100 other families to safer areas to foil attempts by militants to target Hindi-speaking people in eastern Assam.
Police make biggest antiques haul
By IRNA
Tehran : Police on Monday made the biggest haul of antiques unprecedented in the past 15 years, both in terms of volume and value.
The antiques were discovered in Tehran's customs office.
The shipment was bound to the United States.
According to the Public Relations Department of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Tehran province, expert, Hassan Gharakhani Bahar, said the shipment consisted of historical objects from Iran, Europe and Buddha which were registered as household appliances to be dispatched to the US.
Two foreign tourists missing in central Iran
By IRNA
Bam, Kerman Prov : Two Belgian tourists have gone missing since Sunday while visiting the historic sites of this central province, it was reported Monday.
Governor of Bam, Majid E'temadi, told IRNA that the tourists, a 30 and 27 years old married couple, were travelling by a car in Fahrouj district, 60 km from Bam, near the provincial
border with Sistan-Baluchestan province, on Sunday.
E'temadi said that local police and security forces are patrolling the region to find the missing couple.
Rafsanjani-Bah rain-Ambassado Ayatollah Rafsanjani: Delicate approach needed for regional problems
By IRNA
Tehran : Head of Iran's Expediency Council said here on Sunday that the countries of the region should adopt wise and careful stands about regional disputes for good of their people.
In a meeting with Bahrain's Ambassador to Tehran Rashid bin Sa'ad al-Dousari, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani underlined the necessity of unity and cooperation among the countries of the region.
Seoul calls for release of hostages, two freed
By DPA
Kabul/Seoul : The South Korean government Monday confirmed that two abducted women had been released by the radical Islamic Taliban movement in Afghanistan and called for the release of the remaining 19 of its citizens held hostage.
"We are relieved that at least two hostages have been released," said a foreign ministry spokesman in Seoul.
Massive military offensive launched in Assam against militants
By IANS
Guwahati : The Assam government Monday launched a massive anti-insurgency offensive after separatists killed 36 people in the past week, most of them Hindi-speaking people, while the panic stricken migrant workers have started fleeing the state fearing more terror attacks.
"The operation involving the army, police, and the paramilitary, has already begun and is aimed at flushing out militants holed up in bases in the eastern Karbi Anglong district," a senior police official told IANS.
Apex court raps government over Kargil purchase scam probe
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday expressed displeasure over the tardy probe into allegations of irregularity in the urgent defence purchases worth Rs.20 billion made during the 1999 Kargil conflict and asked the central government to file a status report on the probe.
A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan also sought to know from the government what actions the defence ministry had taken against the officers who had approved the irregular deals.
South Korea confirms release of two female hostages
By Xinhua
Seoul/Kabul : The South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday that two South Korean female hostages were released by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The two hostages are now under the protection of South Korean troops and are receiving medical attention in Afghanistan, said Cho Hee-yong, spokesman for the ministry.
The released hostages are Kim Gina, 32, and Kim Kyung-ja, 37, said Cho.
Rebel’s ‘confession’ points to Modi’s role in Gujarat riot
By IANS
Ahmedabad : Many have pointed fingers at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the communal violence of 2002 but now his home minister at the time, Gordhan Zadaphia, too has 'confessed' of the state government's role in it.
"During 2002 I was responsible for whatever had happened. Even today I am responsible for that. I don't deny my responsibility even though I am not a minister," Zadaphia told NDTV in an interview telecast Monday.
Taliban releases two women Korean hostages
By Xinhua
Kabul : The Taliban has freed two women South Korean hostages Monday afternoon, Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) quoted a Taliban member as saying.
The two hostages were freed in Andar district of Ghazni province of Afghanistan, said Masoom, spokesman for Taliban commander Abdullah Jan, who is believed to be holding the South Koreans, according to PAN.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi confirmed the release of the two women, who were reported to be seriously ill, PAN reported.
Apex court cancels anticipatory bail to Gujarat police officer
By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme court Monday cancelled the anticipatory bail to a suspended Gujarat police officer allegedly involved in the November 2005 staged killings of Ujjain resident Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife, paving the way for his custodial interrogation in the matter.
A bench of Justices Tarun Chatterjee and P.K. Balasubramanyam annulled Deputy Superintendent of Police Narendra Kumar Amin's anticipatory bail after a first-hand scrutiny of an Ahmedabad court's order granting him bail.
Three killed, 19 wounded in north Kashmir blast
By IANS
Srinagar : Three civilian bystanders, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed and 19 wounded in Jammu and Kashmir Monday when guerrillas tossed a hand grenade at a passing vehicle of the Border Security Force (BSF).
According to police here, the blast took place in the main market area of north Kashmir's Bandipore town, 54 km from here, when guerrillas targeted the BSF vehicle.
Bangladesh has ‘rejected extremism’, say top army official
By IANS
Dhaka : People of Bangladesh have "rejected extremism" and there are only "slim chances" of the country being a breeding ground for extremism, a top army official backing the caretaker government has said.
Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury, a principal staff officer of Bangladesh Army and seen as part of a small group of military officials backing Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, said that "extremism should not be linked to religion-based politics" and sought to allay the "fears expressed by some" on the rise of extremism in the country.
Bangladesh flood toll climbs to 298
By Xinhua
Dhaka : The toll in the floods in Bangladesh climbed to 298 Monday with reports of 30 more deaths reaching the capital from various parts of the country.
Officials in the Food and Disaster Management Ministry said more than 10 million people have lost their homes to the floods as the first of the five Saudi cargo planes with relief material worth over $50 million is expected to arrive Monday night.
Drowning, snakebite and various water-borne diseases caused the deaths.
Two killed, 20 wounded in north Kashmir blast
By IANS
Srinagar : Two civilian bystanders were killed and 20 wounded in Jammu and Kashmir Monday when guerrillas tossed a hand grenade at a passing vehicle of the Border Security Force (BSF).
According to police here, the blast took place in the main market area of north Kashmir's Bandipore town, 54 km from here, when guerrillas targeted the BSF vehicle.
Ex-Minister exposes Modi’s hand in massacre of Muslims in Gujarat pogrom
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal : The Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's once trusted lieutenant Govardhan Zadaphia, home minister during the Gujarat riots, has spoken openly that he was following the chief minister's orders during the infamous riots of 2002.
Zadaphia while talking to NDTV admitted responsibility of mass killings but he said he just followed Modi's orders.
Underground SIMI activists in MP being hunted again on ATS directives
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal : The underground leaders and activists of banned Students' Islamic Movement of India, (SIMI), are on the run in the towns of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh as they are being hunted again by the state police.
Taliban says it’ll free 2 South Korean hostages
By Xinhua
Kabul : The Taliban said it would release two of the 21 South Korean hostages Monday, both women, being held in Ghazni province of central Afghanistan.
The two would be handed over to the International Committee of Red Cross at 4 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) in Ghazni province, Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told Xinhua from an undisclosed location.
A total of 23 South Koreans were kidnapped by Taliban militants on a road in Ghazni on July 19.
Europe calls for dialogue with Hamas
By DPA
London/Rome : Calls emerged in Italy and Britain Monday for the opening of a dialogue with the radical Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip and the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"We have to help the Hamas to develop," Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was quoted as saying by Italian media.
In view of the current developments in the Middle East he added, "With the Palestinians divided, with two Palestinian nations, there will never be peace."
Kidney racket uncovered near Bangalore
By IANS
Bangalore : A thriving racket in the sale of kidneys has been busted by the Bangalore rural police and three key culprits arrested.
The racket where poor people were lured into selling their kidneys for anywhere between Rs.80,000 and Rs.100,000 seems to have been on for several years and at least 25 people have already donated their organs, police said after arresting key accused Mahadeva Sunday night from Ramanagaram, about 40 km from here.
The kidneys were then sold to those who needed them for Rs.300,000-Rs.400,000, said a police official.
Hardcore Ulfa militant arrested in Jalandhar
By IANS
Jalandhar : A top operative of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and his accomplice were nabbed from a city hotel here Monday.
Hemanta Roy and his accomplice, Jagdish Das, were arrested in a joint operation by officials of the army military intelligence and Jalandhar Police from a hotel where he was working in the guise of a waiter for the last few months.
He is being interrogated by army officials and the police.
Tributes for Mujib, but no national holiday
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's current leadership will pay tributes to the country's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Wednesday, the anniversary of his assassination in 1975. But it won't be a national holiday as that is an issue to be decided by a court of law.
President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and three chiefs of the armed forces will visit Mujib's grave at his village Tungipara in Gopalganj district, a spokesman for the president said.
Eight students killed in Bangladesh accident
By Xinhua
Dhaka : Eight schoolboys were killed in a road accident in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong district Monday, news agency UNB said.
According to officials, a passenger bus rammed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw carrying 10 schoolboys of a high school, during heavy rainfall at about 7:45 a.m.
Five schoolboys died on the spot while three others succumbed on way to hospital.
Seven injured - including two schoolboys, the auto-rickshaw driver and four bus passengers - were admitted to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
Pakistani stewardess arrested with handgun before flight
By DPA
Islamabad : A flight attendant was arrested Monday in possession of a handgun and ammunition while trying to board a Pakistani International Airlines plane in Karachi, officials said.
The weapon was detected during a check of crewmembers about to travel to the Pakistani port of Gwadar on a scheduled flight, said Abdul Wadood, director of the airport security force at Karachi.
Police were trying to establish her motive for carrying the weapon. According to news reports, it belonged to the flight attendant's father, who is a police officer.
Three militants, three suspected US spies killed in Pakistan
By DPA
Islamabad : Pakistani troops Monday killed three pro-Taliban gunmen during an attack on two checkpoints in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, while guerrillas executed three suspected US spies over the weekend, officials said.
Insurgents fired rockets at the posts in Dargai and Magai in South Waziristan in a pre-dawn assault, injuring two soldiers, military spokesman Major General Arshad Waheed said.
Three militants were killed and several more injured as the security forces returned fire.
Does Al Qaeda plan radioactive attacks on three US cities?
By Xinhua
Los Angeles : Apparent threats to launch radioactive attacks on three major US cities has made authorities in New York mount a heightened alert.
An Israeli website debka.com reported Sunday the threat of dirty bomb attack using radioactive chemicals in New York, Los Angeles and Miami was based on a "rush of electronic chatter on Al Qaeda sites".
Govt. decides to implement Sachhar Committe recommendations
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
The Minority Affairs Minister, Shri A.R. Antulay informed the Rajya Sabha today that the Government has considered the report submitted by Justice Rajendra Sachhar Committee for upliftment of the Muslim Community and a decision has been taken regarding the follow up action.
The salient features are as follows-
* Targeted intervention is proposed for improvement of basic amenities and employment opportunities in 90 identified minority concentration districts, which are backward in terms of various developmental parameters.
We just followed Modi’s order: Govardhan Zadaphia
TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's once trusted lieutenant Govardhan Zadaphia, home minister during the Gujarat riots, has spoken openly that he was following the chief minister's orders during the infamous riots of 2002. Zadaphia while talking to NDTV admits responsibility of mass killing but he says he just followed Modi’s order.
''Even today, I am a friend to Modi and at the given time when I was with him, it was a cadre of RSS which believed that a leader is the leader and you have to follow the order.
Chhattisgarh on alert after Maoists’ I-Day boycott call
By IANS
Raipur : An alert was sounded in Chhattisgarh and thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were shifted to vulnerable areas in the interiors of the Bastar region following Maoist rebels' call for boycott of Independence Day functions Wednesday.
"Maintaining the trend of boycotting the national days, Maoists have called for a boycott of Independence Day functions this year too and have called for observing Aug 15 as black day," Girdhari Nayak, Chhattisgarh's inspector general (Maoist operation), told IANS Monday.
Crackdown in jails uncovers porn, SIM cards and scissors
By IANS
Lucknow : A sudden sweep of Uttar Pradesh's prisons led the authorities to make a huge haul of mobile telephones, SIM cards, cash, belts, cigarettes, scissors and improvised knives from prisoners.
The raids were carried out simultaneously in each of the 63 prisons across Uttar Pradesh's 70 districts Sunday afternoon and continued until late in the night. In all places, district magistrates and senior superintendents of police jointly led the raiding teams.
11 Maoists arrested in Jharkhand
By IANS
Ranchi : Eleven Maoist rebels have been arrested from different parts of Jharkhand in the last three days, police said Monday.
Jeedan Gudia, a top leader of the Jharkhand Liberation Front (JLF), was reportedly arrested Sunday along with his friend Sunita from Gorbeda jungle, around 45 Km from here. Police recovered a pistol, live cartridges and Rs.4,000 in cash from them.
Next four weeks may decide Pakistan’s fate
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has not ruled out the imposition of emergency rule and the Supreme Court's rulings on several important issues amid fast-moving political developments make the next one month crucial for the country, media reports here said Monday.
Aziz was quoted Monday as saying that he would be consulted if there was a decision on imposing emergency. But there was no immediate plan.
Ruling Pakistan Muslim League chief Shujaat Hussain has also not ruled out emergency, having himself recommended it at one stage.
MIM leader faces arrest for threatening Taslima
By IANS
Hyderabad : Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi is likely to be arrested for allegedly making death threats to Bangladeshi novelist Taslima Nasreen, even as the party reiterated that those committing blasphemy would not be spared.
After registering a case against Owaisi with the approval of a court, the police have now approached it with evidence against him. He is likely to be arrested later Monday.
Musharraf begins presidential campaign with TV address
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf will launch his campaign to seek re-election to the presidency Monday with an address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day amid indications that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto might approach the apex court to challenge the move.
Apex court slams Allahabad High Court for murder acquittals
By Rana Ajit, IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court has severely castigated the Allahabad High Court for the "casual way" in which it acquitted three people - one sentenced to death and two to life imprisonment - convicted for double murder by the Hamirpur sessions court in Uttar Pradesh.
The high court had to face the apex court's wrath for the "casual and summary way of disposing the appeals against the sessions court judgement (made by two lifers) and the reference (made to it by the sessions court) for confirmation of the death sentence".
Indian man masquerading as doctor detained in Malaysia
By DPA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian police have detained an Indian man for masquerading as a doctor and treating patients as a substitute for the real physician on his off-days, reports said Monday.
The suspect, in his 30s, was believed to have entered the country legally as a technical expert for another company earlier this year but had been masquerading as a doctor instead, immigration chief Ishak Mohamed was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Haneef case won’t hit Indian doctors, says New Zealand survey
By IANS
Auckland : A majority of people polled by a New Zealand magazine say they will not stop going to Indian doctors just because of the 25-day arrest and jailing of Muhammad Haneef on terror charges.
Most of those who responded to a survey by The Global Indian magazine also felt that the Australian government was unfair to Haneef and needs to apologise to him for causing him so much distress.
Rebels continue to target Hindi-speakers in Assam
By IANS
Guwahati : Separatists continued with their killing spree, gunning down six Hindi-speaking migrant workers in Assam Sunday, taking the toll in the weeklong coordinated attacks ahead of Independence Day celebrations to 36, officials said.
The latest in a string of attacks on migrant workers was late Sunday when heavily armed militants killed two Hindi-speakers at Karbi Anglong district's Parokhowa village, about 280 km east of Assam's main city of Guwahati.
DGP reviews Mehraj-ul-Alam arrangements in Hazratbal
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda along with IGP Kashmir S.M.Sahai today paid obeisance at Hazratbal Shrine and reviewed security and traffic arrangements made by the Police on the eve of Mehraj-ul-Alam.
Besides others IGP Security, Ashok Gupta, DIG CKR Farooq Ahmed, SSP Srinagar S.A.Mujtaba, SSP Traffic and SP Hazratbal were also present of the occasion.
LeT militant killed in Pulwama
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Security forces claimed to have killed a Pakistani militant belonging to LeT outfit in Zainapora area of Pulwama, here this evening.
According to SSP Pulwama, Nitish Kumar, Police received specific information regarding presence of militants in the house of one Abdul Hamid in village Half-Hour Zainapora, Pulwama on which a joint operation was launched by Pulwama Police along with 62-RR.
SPO shot dead in Kishtwar
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be militants, gunned down a Special Police Officer (SPO) in mountainous Kishtwar district, during the wee hours today.
Official sources said that three gunmen intercepted a SPO, Sher Muhammad, when he was returning back to his home in Kuntwara village of Kishtwar, this morning.
The gunmen, suspected to be militants, reportedly opened fire on the cop and fled from the spot leaving the later in poll of blood.
IED diffused, 2 grenades recovered
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Police claimed to have averted a major tragedy after diffusing an IED Placed near Court Complex in Pulwama district of North Kashmir.
A patrolling party of Police and 182 Bn CRPF detected an IED weighing around 10 Kilograms, kept on road, near court complex Pulwama, official sources told News Agency of Kashmir. The IED was packed in a hot-case as was planted to target army, civilians, they added.
Sixty years of freedom, one hundred fifty years of struggle
By Kaleem Kawaja
India's Independence Day this year marks full sixty years of freedom from the colonial yoke. Also it marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of India's first war of independence in 1857. It marks one hundred fifty years of the struggle of the Indian masses to remove the domination of foreign control on their society, their ethos, their educational system, their economy and their place among the comity of nations.
Islam and inter-faith engagement
By Asghar Ali Engineer
Islam is being projected as intolerant of other faiths. This perception of Islam is based on certain selected events, not on Qur’anic teachings or Prophet’s ahadith. It is one thing to judge a religion by its teachings and another to see it in the light of some instances of intolerance by some individuals. Also, such events are picked up selectively to suit certain assumptions, often politically motivated.
Shame on you hoodlums!
By Firoz Bakht Ahmed
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I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to death, your right to say it — Voltaire
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GC to decide on computerized elections
By IRNA
Tehran : The Guardian Council will decide on holding computerized elections in Iran in a meeting on Monday with Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi and his deputies, GC spokesman said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei said the council supports computerized elections in the country as envisaged in the law.
Kadkhodaei added that another meeting was held last week between the Guardian Council and interior minister and his deputies on the mechanism of holding computerized elections in Iran.
Gurgaon executive returns home, questions remain
By IANS
Gurgaon : A top executive of a multinational firm who went missing from here 10 days ago has returned home on his own even as police were investigating the matter as a case of abduction.
Deepak Mehndiratta, COO of Adroit Quest, a global talent search and acquisition company, went missing Aug 2 after he told his wife Shelly that he was going out to collect some money from a property dealer in Sushant Lok.
His charred Honda City car was found on National Highway No 8 a day later.
Iraqi civilian killed, another injured, two bodies found in Kirkuk
By NNN-KUNA
Erbil : An Iraqi civilian was killed and another was injured on Sunday when militants in a civilian vehicle opened fire on a group of civilians in southern Kirkuk, a source from the Police coordination center in Kirkuk told KUNA Sunday.
The source said the incident took place near the town of Al-Samakah Al-Olya.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Police patrols found two bodies that appear to be those of civilians near Al-Huwayjah, southwest of Kirkuk.
Both bodies showed signs of gunfire.
19 missiles fired at Israeli targets
By NNN-QNA
Gaza : Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas, has fired 19 mortar shells at Israeli targets near Gaza Strip during the past 36 hours in response to the Israeli continuous aggression.
In a statement, the brigades said that it shelled Beit Hanon Crossing, north of Gaza Strip, with eight mortars, Sofa Crossing, south of Gaza, with five missiles, a number of Israeli vehicles, near Sofa crossing as well as an Israeli military position, north of Beit Hanon with six missiles.
Mattoo’s friends alarmed over apex court’s ‘passion’ ruling
By IANS
New Delhi : Friends of slain Delhi University law student Priyadarshini Mattoo are alarmed over an apex court ruling last week that even a double murder committed "in a fit of passion" after an abortive rape bid does not deserve death penalty.
They have termed as "shocking" the ruling by Justices S.B. Sinha and Markandey Katju upholding a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling, which commuted a death sentence on a double murder convict by a lower court to life term, saying it did not fall in the 'rarest of rare' category.
Yemeni-US youths discuss terrorism, human rights
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : The democratic school, in cooperating with the Oriental Studies Faculty in Sana'a, organizes the sixth debate on terrorism and human rights gathered youths from Yemen and US to be held next Sunday as apart of the Yemeni-American youth dialogue.
The debate will be between 12 Yemeni youths from the Youth Shoura Council, members of youth parties network and activators in human rights and 12 American youths studying Arabic language in Yemen.
Such debate will be prior to the final 7th debate that would discuss issue of the war in Iraq.
Police hunt for robbers after Rs.35 mn gold heist
By IANS
Bangalore : Police teams were Sunday sent to the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to hunt for robbers who looted gold and jewellery worth Rs.35 million from a shop Saturday.
"We have definite clues about the people involved and have intensified efforts to nab them," said a senior police official pleading anonymity.
The robbery is said to be the biggest gold heist in the city prompting jewellery shops in the IT hub to step up security, said a member of the jewellery traders association.
Death toll rises to 253 despite recession of flood water
By NNN-BSS
Dhaka : The current spate of floods overnight claimed 27 more lives to reach the toll to 253 despite gradual recession of floodwaters spreading intestinal, respiratory and skin diseases, officials said Saturday.
Disaster management control room this evening reported the fresh toll saying the highest number of deaths was recorded in northern Tangail followed by 25 in Sirajganj and 22 in Jamalpur.
Musharraf calls for unity at Kabul peace jirga
By DPA
Kabul : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made a last-minute appearance Sunday at the close of the tribal assembly for peace in Kabul, calling upon the two countries to cease feuding and form a united front against the Taliban insurgents.
"Let us develop trust between ourselves. If there is no trust we cannot overcome anything," Musharraf told Afghan President Hamid Karzai and some 650 delegates gathered in a huge tent in the capital.