Better kill us than witch-hunt: Tadiyantevida Naseer’s father
By Abdul Basith MA, TwoCircles.net,
PFI’s month-long campaign to “release innocents from jail”
By TCN News,
From 15TH Aug 2012 to 15TH Sep 2012
Adv. Sajid Siddiqui re-elected president of SDPI’s M.P. unit
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal Gas Tragedy survivors call May 11 as ‘Black Day’ for Justice
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
‘Moderate’ Vastanvi’s fate to be decided on July 23-24
By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Deoband meet: Vastanvi’s hope brightens as probe committee splits
By TCN Staff Reporter,
Minorities oppose Centre’s medical college admission order
By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Hussainabad Trust to hold eye camp for city’s Zardozi workers
By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Gopalgarh riot: Rajasthan Home Minister may lose his post for police “excesses”
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Mamata’s minority budget: Hopes knock the door, skepticism remains
By Zaidul haque, TwoCircles.net,
Sheeba Sageer elected Kerala state president of National Women’s Front
By TCN Staff Correspondent,
‘With You Shweta’: College students join Bhatt’s wife in protest march
By TCN Staff Reporter,
After Parl. panel’s rejection of UID bill, activists want it to be stopped
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Mamata’s intervention sought to resolve dispute over AMU Murshidabad land
By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Chidambaram, Rakesh Maria responsible for Qateel’s murder: Mushawarat
By TCN Staff Reporter,
Mallika Sarabhai floats the idea of ‘referendum’ to pay real tribute to Sardar Patel
CM’s idea of constructing world’s tallest statue of Sardar could get outshined by common man’s people-friendly ideas
By Rafat Nayeem Quadri
Irregularities in the functioning of Muslim girls’ hostel exposed in Manipur
By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai violence: Media’s reporting questioned
By TwoCircles.net special correspondent,
Mumbai: Many fear that media is taking its revenge by its aggressive reporting on Azad Maidan violence.
‘Closure of camps is not the solution’
By Mahtab Alam, TwoCircles.net
Assam Violence 2012: Stories from the ground: Part 3
Saudi Arabia frees detained Indian terror suspect
By IANS,
Bangalore : Saudi Arabian police have released Indian doctor Usman Ghani from 20-day detention after their investigation revealed he had no terror links as suspected earlier.
Marijuana worth Rs.700,000 seized in Orissa, 3 held
By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Three people were arrested Friday on charges of possessing marijuana worth Rs.700,000 in Orissa's Malkangiri district, an excise official said.
Court summons Narayana Murthy over national anthem row
By IANS
Bangalore : A local court Saturday summoned Infosys chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy to appear before it on June 21 in connection with his alleged insult to the national anthem.
Car bomb injures nine near Pakistani court
By DPA
Islamabad : Nine people were injured when a car bomb blew up Tuesday near the Peshawar High Court in north-west Pakistan, hospital officials said.
One killed, 40 wounded in Assam market blast
By IANS
Guwahati : At least one person was killed and 40 wounded, three of them critically, in a powerful explosion that ripped through a village market in Assam Wednesday.
Car bomb kills at least 16 in Baghdad’s market
By Xinhua
Baghdad : At least 16 people were killed and 35 other injured when a car bomb exploded in a popular market in northeastern Baghdad Tuesday evening, a police source told Xinhua.
"A car bomb ripped through a busy market in Shaab district in northeastern Baghdad, killing at least 16 people and wounding 35 others," the source said on condition of anonymity, without giving more details.
Haneef to file appeal against visa revocation; moved to prison
By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : Muhammad Haneef's lawyers will be filing an appeal in the Federal Court Wednesday, seeking a judicial review of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Kevin Andrews's decision to revoke the 27-year-old Indian doctor's 457 work visa, even as he was moved to Wolston prison on Brisbane's western outskirts.
CBI arrests land scam kingpin Ashok Malhotra
By IANS
New Delhi : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday arrested city-based contractor Ashok Malhotra, the main suspect in a multimillion rupee land scam, from outside a private television news channel where he surfaced to give an interview.
"We have arrested Malhotra outside Zee News studio and will produce him in a court shortly to seek his remand," a senior CBI official said.
Security forces kill 40 militants in Pakistan
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces killed 40 militants in the country's northwest tribal region bordering Afghanistan Wednesday, a military spokesman said.
Pakistani army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told private Geo TV that gunship helicopters were used to target positions of militants in mountains in the border area between North and South Waziristan.
"The operation was conducted in the morning and in the afternoon," he said.
Arshad said the militants had been using mountains to fire and ambush convoys of security forces.
Police clash with lawyers in Islamabad
By Muhammad Najeeb
Islamabad, Sep 29 (IANS) Police used tear gas and chased with sticks hundreds of lawyers and political activists who gathered near the Election Commission (EC) here Saturday to protest the Supreme Court's decision allowing Pervez Musharraf to contest for presidency while heading the army. The EC was then scrutinising nomination papers of presidential candidates.
Doubts persist on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan and Iran might have agreed on constructing a gas pipeline between the two countries but the deal is far from being signed, sealed and delivered.
Tehran's insistence on a clause in the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) "under which the gas prices would be reviewed after every five years remains the bone of contention as Pakistan refused to budge before the Iranian demand", The News reported Tuesday in a dispatch headlined "Pakistan, Iran fail to clear snags in gas pipeline deal".
Bomb kills mayor of Iraqi town
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A roadside bomb explosion killed the mayor of Iskandriya town in Babel province south of Baghdad along with four of his bodyguards Thursday, a provincial police source said.
"A roadside bomb went off near the procession of Abbas Hamza al-Khafaji, mayor of Iskandriya town, 50 km south of Baghdad, while he was heading to his work in the morning, killing him and four of his bodyguards," the source told Xinhua.
The powerful blast destroyed two vehicles of Khafaji's convoy and wounded one, the source said.
Rally blasts will strain Bhutto-Musharraf ties: Dawn
By IANS
Islamabad : The terror attack on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's convoy last week could strain the "mutual understanding" between her and President Pervez Musharraf, "given the suspected involvement of state officials", an editorial in a leading Pakistani daily said Monday.
The lack of a proper disaster management plan was once again evident in the wake of the Karachi attack Thursday that claimed at least 139 lives, another editorial maintained.
Pakistan rejects Bhutto’s call for foreign help in blast probe
By DPA
Islamabad : The Pakistan government Monday rejected former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's suggestion that foreign experts should be involved in the probe into last Thursday night's suicide bombing attack on her procession.
"Our experts are conducting the investigations and they are fully capable of doing it," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao told reporters in Islamabad.
Four killed in Turkey blast
By DPA,
Istanbul: At least four people were killed when a roadside bomb hit a minibus carrying military personnel in Istanbul Tuesday, Turkish media reported.
The blast occurred as the minibus was passing a cemetery on its way from a military housing complex.
One of the victims was the 17-year-old daughter of an officer. At least nine people on the bus were injured in the blast.
Huseyin Avni Mutlu, the governor of Istanbul, said the bomb was detonated by remote control, according to the state-run Anatolian Agency.
Attack against professor not a communal issue: UDF
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent
Kochi: The UDF yesterday stated that the attack on the professor accused in the question paper controversy should not be seen as a communal problem. In another development to the investigation, police yesterday released the draft picture of two accused in the case. Meanwhile, the DGP said that the state had not thought about handing over the case to the NIA.
Myth of decline in Maoists’ violence in Bihar, exploded
By Soroor Ahmed, TwoCircles.net
‘Police torture to withdraw candidature’ – DHRM complaint to Election Commission
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Demonstrate good character, not weapons: Imam of Ka’ba
By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Advani blogs Uma’s return to BJP, ex-MP CM remains non-committal
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Shahina’s anticipatory bail hearing postponed to Dec 27
By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Replace Musalman with Islam as religion in Census form: JIH
By Riyaz Momin, TwoCircles.net,
David Cameron was right on “Islamist” extremism
By A. Faizur Rahman for TwoCircles.net,
Firoz Bakht withdraws petition against Jamia’s minority character
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Enemy Property Act: Raja Mahmoodabad’s properties worth Rs 2500 cr at stake
By TCN Special Correspondent,
Suicide bomber hits Afghan army base
By IANS,
Kabul : A suicide bomber Saturday attacked an Afghan army base in Gambiray area in the eastern province of Laghman. Casualties are feared.
Don’t collect Biriyani samples: CPI-M
New Delhi : The CPI-M on Friday condemned a move by the Haryana government to collect samples of Biriyani in Mewat area ahead...
‘Growing sense of betrayal and victimisation leads to illogical protest’
By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Responses get strong as Madani’s health deteriorates day by day
By Abdul Basith, TwoCircles.net,
Akbaruddin Owaisi’s prosecution is a lesson to learn from: Adv Ravichander
By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
PIL filed in Dhule riot case by victims’ families and ANHAD
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Abolish capital punishment: Fate of death row prisoners like ‘lottery’
M. Reyaz, TwoCircles.net
Sunni Majlis-e-Amal demand justice for Shaheed Zia-ul Haq’s family
By Hasan Zia Rizvi, TwoCircles.net,
‘Need to look into role of India & Muslim world in new perspective’
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Majlis-e Mushawarat produces ‘evidence’ against Special Cell claims on Liaqat Shah
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
AMU students’ union to launch a movement for AMU’s minority status
By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union today organized a Symposium on Restoration of AMU’s Minority character.
Allegations of bias against Bihar, Jharkhand in selecting ‘model’ schools
Minority concentrated blocks are ‘recklessly ignored’ alleges some AMU alumni.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Assam reacts sharply at ULFA’s warning to singer Zubeen Garg
By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Swami Aseemanand and Art of ‘Statement Withdrawal’
By Ram Puniyani,
Swami Aseemanand emerged as the alleged kingpin in the series of blasts, starting from Malegaon, Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad, Ajmer Dargaah...
AMU’s Academic Staff College becomes nodal agency under Nalanda Project
By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India has selected the UGC Academic Staff College (ASC) of Aligarh Muslim University as a Nodal Agency for training and awareness generation among faculty members of minority managed degree colleges under “Nalanda Project”.
‘Ambedkar transformed from being the leader of the untouchables to being a thinking man’
By Lalita, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: While Babasaheb Ambedkar has been widely accepted as the leader of the untouchables, we should pay attention to other aspects of his life which are as promising, says Ananya Vajpeyi, the author of the prize winning book The Righteous Republic.
NSUI gears up campaigning for Congress’s Lok Sabha election candidate, reaching out to the...
By TCN News,
Jammu: The state president of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Neeraj Kundan held a meeting in Govt. Maulana Azad Memorial Post Graduate (MAM) College, Jammu, in support of Congress-NC candidate Madan Lal Sharma, on 2nd April, Wednesday.
BJP may have the last laugh due to Muslims’ vote division in Moradabad
By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,
Moradabad: “Mark my word ST Hassan (of SP) will win this time,” 55 year old Mohamamd Fareed said animatedly to his friend, a Jat at the Moradbad Bus Stand, a day before the election on April 16. Moradabad goes to poll today.
Amnesty International releases second edition of Manual to combat injustice
By A. Mirsab,TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Amnesty International has recently published second edition of ‘Fair Trial Manual’ to help combat injustices around the world. The first edition of ‘Fair Trial Manual’ was published in 1998 primarily to support Amnesty International staff and members. The first edition was overwhelmingly accepted around the world which benefitted number of lawyers and activists who fight for injustices meted out to innocents. Due to the increased demand the first edition had to be published in 15 languages.
Four year old girl struggles at GMCH after Bodo militants’ attack
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Guwahati: The little girl was screaming at her bed at Guwahati Medical College Hospital. The four year old Taslima Khatun of Narasingbari village in Assam’s Baska district has lost her finger and received bullet injuries as armed militants of National Democratic Front of Bodoalnd (NDFB) opened fire killing four people in front of her on Thursday night.
Modi wave didn’t help BJP’s Muslim candidates
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
Modi wave that has given BJP a historic win has reduced the number of Muslim MPs in Lok Sabha. This wave did not help its own Muslim candidates. 282 BJP MPs will sit in the next Lok Sabha but none of them Muslim.
SC stays death sentence of rape-murder convict
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday stayed the death sentence of Kalu Khan, convicted for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in...
CLMC urged PM to curb the activities of Hindutva organizations
By TCN News,
Hyderabad: Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee has condemned the brutal killing of Mohsin Sadiq Sheikh in Pune. It has written a letter to...
Research scholars’ fellowships face fund crunch, students left in the lurch
Fund for SC students worst affected.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Several research scholars, enrolled in M.Phil and PhD courses in different subjects in universities across the country are not getting their fellowships on time. Students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) seem to be most hit since Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has not released the fund for the year so far.
AMU faculty suspended over ‘abusive’ posts against VC on FB
By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, on the authorization of the Executive Council in its special meeting held on July 22, 2014, has placed Dr. Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, Associate Professor, Department of History under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry.
Controversy erupts over SC judge ‘Gita in school’ statement, AVP writes to President
By A. Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: A massive controversy has erupted throughout the country over Supreme Court Justice Anil R. Dave’s statement on Saturday that Indians should go back to their ancient traditions, and texts such as Mahabharat and that Bhagwad Gita should be introduced to children in schools at an early age.
Activists, organisations deprecate fake Telangana encounter; demand CBI probe
By TCN News,
New Delhi/Lucknow: Three days after five Muslim under-trial youth were killed in what police called as “encounter” – denied by respective families calling it as deliberate killings, a number of organisations have come out heavily on the Telangana government and demanded a CBI probe into the gory incident.
Delhi Aanganwadi workers’ indefinite hunger strike enters 6th day as AAP govt evades holding...
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: The indefinite hunger strike by Delhi State Aanganwadi Workers’ and Helpers’ Union entered its seventh day...
BJP’s defeat in Bihar polls certain: Lalu Prasad
Patna: The defeat of the BJP in the Bihar assembly elections is certain since the poor, Dalits, OBCs, EBCs and Muslims had decided to...
‘आम’ बजट में बिहार के साथ ‘ख़ास’ अन्याय !
TwoCircles.net News Desk
पटना : जदयू के बाद अब भारतीय कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी ने भी इस बार के बजट की निंदा की है.
भारतीय कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी...
Awaiting their leader, Patels to begin ‘lollipop’ protest on Sunday
By Darshan Desai
Ahmedabad : Not impressed by the Gujarat government announcing 10
percent reservation for economically weaker sections among the upper castes, including Patels, the...
Voting progresses slowly, but steadily in Kashmir
By IANS,
Srinagar/Jammu : Voting progressed at a steady clip through the day in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday with heavier turnout in the four constituencies in Jammu region than in the two segments in Kashmir valley in round two of the assembly elections.
By 12 noon, 16 percent of the voters had cast their franchise in Ganderbal, where National Conference leader Omar Abdullah is contesting against 11 other candidates, and 19 percent in Kangan.
Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Awards announced
By RINA,
New Delhi: Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha and Justice Mohammad Suhail Ejaz Siddiqui, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities Educational Institutions, are among those to be honoured this year with Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Award.
Others to be honoured with Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Award 2008 are Manorama Deevan, Chief Editor, Press Asia International, Shahid Ali Khan (IPS), Mohammad Ateeq Siddiqui, Editor, AlYaum, New Delhi, Dr. Haneef Tareen and Saulat Public Library, Rampur.
PFI reiterates struggle for rebuilding Babri Masjid to continue; urges Liberhan Commission to resign
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal : The National Executive Council of Popular Front of India, (PFI), has called upon the people to continue the struggle for the restoration of Babri Masjid on the same site where it had existed at the time of its destruction by the Hindutva fascist forces.
The Popular Front has urged Justice Liberhan to release the Liberhan Commission report of Babri Masjid demolition before the citizens of India and resign forthwith in protest of the insult from the government.
No improvement in Maoist violence in 2008: ministry report
By IANS,
New Delhi : There was no improvement in Maoist-related violence in the country in 2008 over the previous year, but the level of militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir continued to show a declining trend, says a government report.
Court reserves order on fate of two detained Kashmiri men
By IANS,
New Delhi : A city court will announce its verdict on the fate of two Kashmiri youth, arrested by the Delhi Police as terrorists, on Feb 13. A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report has said the two men were framed by the police.
Additional Sessions Judge S.K. Gautam Monday said the decision to initiate proceedings against police officials accused of framing the two men would also be taken on the next date.
Milad-un-Nabi celebrated in Andhra Pradesh
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Traditional festivity and religious fervour marked Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, in Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh Tuesday.
Public meetings and rallies were held where speakers exhorted Muslims to strictly follow 'seerat-e-tayyaba' or the holy life of the Prophet. Feeding of the poor was organised by individuals and organisations to mark the occasion.
Muslims also celebrated the day cooking special dishes.
Would have run roller over Varun: Lalu Prasad
By IANS,
Patna : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Monday said that had he been the country's home minister he would have run a "roller" over Varun Gandhi for his hate speeches against Muslims and bothered about the consequences later.
Speaking at an election rally in Kishanganj in Bihar, Lalu Prasad said: "If I were the country's home minister, and if Varun had said this (inflammatory speeches), then I would have run a roller over his chest, and thought about the consequences later."
Poll panel censures BSP candidate from Lucknow
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Saturday censured Akhilesh Das, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, for making derogatory remarks about his rival and Samajwadi Party candidate Nafisa Ali.
"Election Commission is of the considered opinion that Dr. Akhilesh Das has violated the provisions of the model code of conduct and the Election Commission has censured him for the said violation," the poll panel said in a statement issued here.
Kashmir cops denied bail in Shopian rape-murder case
By IANS,
Srinagar : The district and sessions judge of Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday rejected the bail application moved by four police officers accused of destroying evidence in the rape and murder of two local women.
While rejecting the bail application, Judge Syed Tauqeer Ahmed maintained that there was prima facie evidence against the accused. He said DNA profiling of the accused was yet to be completed and if released, they might interfere with the investigation.
Government, society must keep watch on communal groups: PM
By IANS,
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said the government and civil society groups must keep an eye on and protest against those who resort to violence in the name of religion to spread disharmony.
"I believe that both the government and civil society groups must continuously watch and raise our voice against groups and individuals who use violence in the name of religion," the prime minister said at a function to present the Kabir Puraskar and National Communal Harmony Awards for the years 2007 and 2008.
Women Commission for setting up of family courts in J&K
By Agence India Press,
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women proposed setting up of Family Courts to settle domestic disputes, besides enhancing existing domestic acts and laws against women rights violations in the state.
Delhi student succumbs to Pune blast injuries
By IANS,
Pune: A student from New Delhi, Aditya Jaiprakash Mehta, who was injured in Saturday\'s terror blast here, succumbed to his injuries in a hospital here early Wednesday, police said.
According to an official of the Pune Police Control Room, Aditya, 24, was a fourth year student of Bharatiya Vidyapeeth, an engineering college in the city.
Mehta died around 4 a.m. Wednesday at the Jehangir Hospital here, the official said.
His relatives have already arrived here from New Delhi and the formalities to hand over the body are being completed.
Over 1 tonne of cocaine seized in Spain
By IANS/EFE,
Valencia (Spain) : More than 1 tonne of cocaine that arrived in the customs area of the port in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia hidden in the false bottom of a container shipped from the Dominican Republic was seized, investigators said.
One person was arrested in Valencia and a second suspect apparently waiting for the cocaine was detained in Barcelona province.
The cocaine was aboard the Nordsea, a Cypriot-flagged ship that arrived in Valencia on Feb 23 from the Dominican Republic.
‘Moscow bombers could be linked to Af-Pak terror network’
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Plotters of the twin suicide blast at Moscow subway stations that killed 38 people could have links with the terror network based in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, Russia said Tuesday.
The deadly blasts in the subway could have been organised with support from abroad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"I do not rule this out, nothing can be ruled out here," he said.
Friday prayers pass off peacefully in riot-hit Hyderabad
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Friday prayers passed off peacefully in riot-hit areas of Hyderabad as the curfew continued for the fourth day without any relaxation.
Police had made massive security arrangements in view of the Friday prayers. Though the curfew was not relaxed thus preventing huge congregations at major mosques, Muslims offered prayers either in neighbourhood mosques or in their homes.
Police allowed over 200 people including some leaders of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) to offer prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid, where thousands gather every Friday.
UAE, Kuwait lead Arab region in UNCTAD report
By NNN-KUNA
Geneva : The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait rank respectively at numbers 39 of their scale for the UNCTAD Trade and Development report covering 2006.
This result, according to the UNCTAD rankings, puts the UAE and Kuwait ahead of all the Arab countries.
Militant killed in Sopore gunfight
By IANS
Srinagar : Security forces Saturday evening stormed the hotel building in the heart of the apple rich north Kashmir Sopore town, where militants were holed up for the past three days and shot one of them dead.
"One militant has been eliminated in the encounter at hotel New Light in Sopore. However, exchange of fire is still taking place," said a police spokesman here.
He said paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) of police stormed the building following fierce firing.
Sharif denies any deal, says won’t serve under Musharraf
New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has denied any power-sharing deal with President Pervez Musharraf and stressed that the election, likely in January, will lack any credibility unless the sacked top judges were reinstated.
Sharif, who returned to Pakistan Sunday after forced exile in Saudi Arabia, also made a forceful pitch for restoring democracy and underlined that he will not serve under Musharraf under the present constitution to which several amendments were made.
Iranian president: nuclear issue closed
By Xinhua
Doha : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here on Monday that the disputed Iranian nuclear issue was "closed" from Iran's perspective and that his country had the right to develop new energy.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the 28th annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Ahmadinejad said "In our opinion, the nuclear issue is now closed."
Iran does not feel threatened at all and any pressure on Iran concerning the issue is useless, he said, adding that "we are prepared for any conditions."
Bangladesh shifts militants to separate cells
By IANS
Dhaka : Hardcore militants lodged in a Bangladesh jail were shifted to different cells Saturday following a high alert issued after the killing of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi.
Twenty-six militants at Chittagong Central Jail in southern Bangladesh were moved to separate cells. They included five convicted militants belonging to the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Star Online reported.
Jailer Iqbal Hossain said the visitors have been asked not to bring any bags or packets for any inmates at the jail gate.
Eight killed in Iraq suicide attack, 16 wounded
By DPA
Baghdad : A woman suicide bomber blew herself and eight other people up in Baquba, north of Baghdad, Wednesday, security sources and media reports said.
Two policemen and members of the government-backed Awakening Council in Baquba were among those killed in the attack near a patrol belonging to the council's forces in New Baquba.
At least 16 people were wounded in the incident, including civilians, the security sources said. Nearby buildings and vehicles were also damaged.
Pakistan reports progress in investigation of Bhutto’s murder
By RIA Novosti
Islamabad : Progress has been reported in the investigation of the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, local media said on Wednesday referring to the country's police spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema.
Pakistan was plunged into turmoil last Thursday following the killing of Bhutto, who had twice been the country's prime minister and was about to run in parliamentary elections January 8 as leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Burj Dubai Reaches 158 Levels To Set World Record
DUBAI, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- Burj Dubai, the iconic tower, has reached 158 levels, the most in any building in the world, its developer Emaar Properties said.
The tower is now 598.5 metres high and taller than Taipei 101 (508 metres) in Taiwan and CN Tower (553.33 metres) in Toronto, Canada, media reports here said.
Cladding work of the tower is now ongoing at an accelerated pace with 58 storeys already wearing the shimmering sheen of the high-performance cladding system, Emaar, a global property developer said in a statement.
Woman Maoist leader arrested in Jharkhand
By IANS
Ranchi : A top woman Maoist leader has been arrested from the Garwah district of Jharkhand, police said Monday.
Acting on a tip off Sunday night, police arrested Vineeta alias Simppi, a zonal commander of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), from Bardari village of Garwah district, about 140 km from Ranchi.
Police said she had masterminded more than a dozen Maoist attacks in Jharkhand. She is accused of attacking a Home Guard training centre in Giridih district in 2006 and looting around 200 police rifles.
Close to Taj, a different monument of love
By Brij Khandelwal, IANS
Agra : Just 500 metres from the Taj Mahal, there's another monument of love in this city that very few people know about - one that has changed the life of many a leprosy patient in India.
The Japanese-founded Jalma Centre for Leprosy Treatment, being run by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has completed more than four decades of service, treating hundreds of thousands of leprosy affected who are traditionally ostracised in India.
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