US crash kills 5 family members; teen arrested

Five members of a California family were killed Saturday when their van was rear-ended by an 18-year-old driver who was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, authorities said.

The dead were among seven family members who were in the van, authorities said. The other two _ the 40-year-old female driver and a 15-year-old boy _ were hospitalized in critical condition.

Jean Soriano of California was booked into the Clark County Detention Center after he was treated and released at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Loy Hixson said.

The crash happened at about 3 a.m. on Interstate 15 near the Utah state line. Soriano's sport utility vehicle struck the van from behind, causing both vehicles to spin out of control and roll near Mesquite, some 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, investigators said.

A 23-year-old passenger in Soriano's SUV was treated at the hospital and released.

Authorities believe Soriano was returning from a visit with family in Utah to his home in California at the time of the wreck, Hixson said. They didn't immediately release his hometown or the names or hometowns of the victims.

Beer bottles were found in the SUV, Hixson said, and troopers performed a blood-alcohol test on Soriano at the hospital. The results won't be known for a couple of weeks, he said.

Hixson said only two of the seven people in the van were wearing seatbelts. The five who were not buckled in were ejected, but one survived.

"Unfortunately, so many in the van weren't wearing seatbelts, and some might have survived had they been wearing them," Hixson said. ``We see it so many times where people can survive simply by having a seatbelt on.''

The van was carrying a couple, their children and some aunts and uncles, he said. Killed were three men in their 40s, a teenage female and an adult female.

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15 tourist rescued, 1 missing in boat capsize in China

BEIJING: Fifteen tourists were rescued and one remains missing after a boat capsized at a scenic spot in China's southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local tourism authorities said.

Rescuers are searching a 64-year-old man from Taiwan who went missing yesterday after the boat with 16 tourists aboard capsized in the Guanyan scenic area in Guilin, said the Guangxi Tourism Administration.

The rapid currents and improper operation of boatmen caused the capsize, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The tourists were organised by a local travel agency in Guilin.

Tourism authorities in Guilin have ordered scenic spots which were hit by heavy rains recently to halt hosting tourists.

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No place in Lanka for religious extremism or racism: Rajapaksa

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that his government will not allow racism or religious extremism in the country and advised the Buddhist majority community to protect the rights of others.

"This is a democratic country, non-Buddhists have equal rights and freedoms. While we safeguard the rights of Buddhists, it is the responsibility of the Buddhists to be exemplary and protect the rights of others," he told a religious gathering on Saturday at Weherahena in the south.

Rajapaksa said any attempt to promote religious extremism would supply ammunition to those elements who want to spread false accusations against Sri Lanka.

"All who love the motherland should shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding ethnic and religious harmony," he said.

His comments came after communal attacks on Muslim-owned businesses that raised religious tensions in the country.

Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist nationalist group, is leading a campaign which they say targets the growing Muslim extremism in the country.

Less than 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's population of 20 million are Muslim. The majority are Sinhalese Buddhist, while most Tamils are Hindu.

Rajapaksa said he appreciated the guidance received from the Buddhist clergy and their historical role in correcting the nation's path.

"Everyone has the responsibility to ensure that Sri Lanka would not be tagged as a racist and extremist nation," he added.

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Chidambaram to visit Japan to woo foreign investment

NEW DELHI: After selling India story to investors in Hong Kong, Singapore and Europe, finance minister P Chidambaram is leaving for Japan on Monday to attract foreign investment.

Chidambaram would meet his Japanese counterpart and institutional investors during his three-day official visit to Japan, sources said.

The finance minister will be accompanied by department of economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram and chief economic advisor Raghuram Rajan, they said.

Chidambaram is likely to talk about steps taken by the government to speed up large projects and measures to bring down fiscal deficit.

He would also seek investments into various sectors, mainly infrastructure for which the government has pegged expenditure at nearly $1 trillion during the 12th Plan (2012-17).

He may also highlight the measures proposed in the Budget 2013-14 for markets and investment to help the economy grow at 6.1-6.7 per cent next year.

India is betting big on foreign resources to finance the Current Account Deficit (CAD), which has widened to record high of 6.7 per cent in October-December quarter of the current fiscal driven by heavy oil and gold imports and muted exports.

Japan has been a key partner of India in the latter's efforts to boost infrastructure development.

In his earlier meetings with the investor community in Hong Kong, Singapore, Frankfurt and London in January, Chidambaram had expressed India's commitment to economic reforms.

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Phil Ramone, 14-time Grammy winner music producer, dies at 72

NEW YORK: 14-time Grammy winner and legendary record producer Phil Ramone, who worked with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Paul Simon and Billy Joel, has died. He was 72.

Once dubbed as 'The Pope of Pop' was hospitalized in late February with an aortic aneurysm. He passed away Saturday morning at New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to Ramone's son Matt.

A native of South Africa, Ramone had learned violin by the age of just 3 and was trained at the Juilliard School in New York. At the age of 10 he performed as a violinist for Queen Elizabeth II.

He later co-founded A & R Recording and built a reputation as a versatile engineer, working on pop fare like Lesley Gore as well as jazz by John Coltrane and Quincy Jones.

He has worked on albums like Barbra Streisand's 1967 live 'A Happening in Central Park', Paul & Linda McCartney's 'Ram' (1971), Bob Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks' (1975), Paul Simon's pop classic 'Still Crazy After All These Years' (1975), Billy Joel's critical and commercial breakthrough 'The Stranger' (1977) and Frank Sinatra's last-gasp 'Duets' (1993).

In his 2007 memoir, "Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music", written with Charles L Granata, Ramone defined the role of record producer as roughly equivalent to that of a film director, creating and managing an environment in which to coax the best work out of his performers.

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Doomed US navy ship removed from Philippine coral reef

MANILA, PHILIPPINES: A US navy minesweeper has been removed from a Philippine coral reef, where it ran aground in January. Both sides will assess the damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site to determine the fine that Washington will pay.

Philippine coast guard Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista says the stern, the last part of the dismantled USS Guardian, was lifted off the reef on Saturday in the Tubbataha National Marine Park in the Sulu Sea, about 644 kilometers (400 miles) southwest of Manila. Workers are cleaning debris at the site.

Evangelista said on Sunday that the damage to the protected coral reef would be assessed this week to determine the fine.

The US embassy again expressed regret about the incident and reiterated that Washington was prepared to pay for the damage.

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Felt little insulted, humiliated standing before judge: Musharraf

WASHINGTON: Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said he felt a little "insulted and humiliated" standing before a judge in a Karachi court, where he appeared to seek extension of his pre-arrest bail in a series of cases.

Musharraf, 69, who ruled Pakistan for about a decade, following a military coup in which he overthrew Nawaz Sharif, appeared in a court in Karachi for the first time in his life.

"This is the first time, that I ever entered a courtroom in my life. If I was to be very frank with you on my feelings, if you want to know my feelings, the first feeling when I stand up for the judge when he entered which was the norm — the norm which I had to follow, I did feel somehow a little insulted, a little humiliated," Musharraf told CNN.

"But then I started thinking to myself that I have been saying that everyone is equal in the eyes of law. So I thought to myself, well, I have been saying this. The law applies to me also. So may be, would be upset for other — that you yourself got involved," said the former military ruler.

When asked if he trusted the judicial system, Musharraf said one has to face all the consequences.

"I know, my conviction is that there is nothing against me. And there were arrest warrants that were issued, for my nonappearance in the court," he said.

"Now when I appeared on the cases in the court, there shouldn't be a reason for my arrest. And we should proceed with the cases. As far as the cases are concerned, they are politicised and there's nothing against me. From any point of view, there is nothing against me. So therefore, with that conviction, I'll face the courts," he said.

Musharraf said at no point he was in danger when a shoe was thrown at him in the Karachi court room. "I didn't even see it. There was nothing that hit me. Later on, I was told that somebody hurled something. But nothing of that sort was visible," he said.

"But later on they told me, those around me, there were hundreds of people who are my supporters. I think later on I was told that the man was really overpowered and he got a thorough beating or something. But I don't know who threw what. I didn't know at all," he said.

Advocate Tajammul Lodhi on Friday hurled a shoe at Musharraf in the Sindh high court corridor but it did not hit him.

Musharraf was required to appear in person in the court to extend the bail allowance. On March 22, a single-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam, had granted a 10-day bail period to the former president who returned home on Sunday after being in self-imposed exile since 2009.

The court extended by 15 days his pre-arrest bail period.

The court had also granted Musharraf a pre-arrest bail in the Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto murder cases.

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Eight policemen convicted in Gonda fake encounter case

LUCKNOW: Eight policemen have been convicted by a special CBI court here in a 31-year-old fake encounter case in Gonda district in which 13 people, including a deputy superintendent of police, were killed.

Special CBI judge Rajendra Singh convicted the eight yesterday and fixed April 5 as the next date to fix quantum of sentence.

One policemen Prem Singh was acquitted of the charges. In all 19 policemen were made accused in the case of which 10 died during the course of the trial.

DySP and circle officer K P Singh and 12 other people were killed in the fake encounter in Madhopur village in March 1982.

Police initially claimed that Singh was killed by criminals, but his wife Vibha Singh suspected foul play and moved the Supreme Court, which ordered a CBI inquiry.

The CBI filed charge sheet against 19 policemen of which 10 died during the trail.

Those convicted include the then PAC commandant Ramakant Dixit, station house officer R B Saroj, sub-inspectors Naseem Ahmad, Mangal Singh, Parvez Hussain, Rajendra Prasad Singh, head constable Prem Narain Pandey and constable Ram Karan.

The eight convicts were sent to jail.

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Former minister's son arrested with stolen vehicles in Bihar

SAMASTIPUR: The son of a former minister was arrested along with his associate and two stolen vehicles were seized from their possession at Belari village in Bihar's Samastipur district, police said on Saturday.

After finding former minister Ramashray Sahni's son Mukesh Kumar Sahni and his associate Ganga Prasad Singh standing at a garage with a car and a pick-up van on Friday night, the villagers surrounded them and informed the local police, superintendent of police Varun Kumar Sinha said.

Police arrested Sahni and Singh and seized the two vehicles with fake number plates, he said.

Sahni's father, who was animal husbandry minister in the Lalu Prasad government in 1990s, has denied the charge that his son was a vehicle lifter and claimed that it was a conspiracy hatched by his adversaries to bring disrepute to him.

Ramashray Sahni is presently RJD's Samastipur district chief.

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Charges against Congress on Lanka issue ill-founded: Narayanasamy

CHENNAI: Terming as "ill-founded" and "motivated" charges against Congress and the UPA government on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Union minister V Narayanasamy on Saturday alleged students were being instigated by some persons to stage agitations on the issue.

India was one of the 25 countries that voted in favour of US-sponsored resolution at UNHRC against Sri Lanka where New Delhi pushed for an independent and credible probe into human rights violation charges and loss of civilian lives in the war in Lanka as demanded by political parties in Tamil Nadu, he told reporters at the airport here.

"That resolution has been passed by the UNHRC. As for India, it is one of the 25 countries (that voted in favour). India cannot ask for any resolution on its own as it has to seek support of others," the minister of state in PMO said.

State political parties' criticism of his party and the government led by it were "ill-founded, politically motivated and (done to) sidetrack the issue as they want to keep the issue alive," he said alleging students were being instigated (into taking up various forms of protests).

Students have been staging protests and demonstrations across Tamil Nadu on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

On Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK president M Karunanidhi objecting to India's participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held in Colombo this November, he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will discuss the matter with external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and take a decision.

To a question on the controversy over the reported remarks by Sri Lankan high commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam in the context of the Lankan Tamils issue, Narayansamy said that he has to "work within the parameters and guidelines given to an ambassador or high commissioner."

The government has got a feedback on the matter and "we will take a call at the appropriate time," he added. To a question, he said the UPA government was stable as it had the majority with the backing of SP and BSP and pointed out to Mulayam Singh Yadav's remarks that his party had no plans as of now to withdraw its outside support to the UPA government.

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Mild tremors felt in Kutch, no casualty reported

AHMEDABAD: An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale struck Bhachau in Kutch district of western Gujarat today, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR) said here.

"The earthquake struck 22 km north of Bhachau, near Choburi, in Kutch district at 12:03 PM," ISR director general B K Rastogi said.

There were no reports of casualties or any property damage.

Kutch has been rocked by tremors measuring 2-4 on the Richter Scale in the past. The area had suffered a major devastation in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake.

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26/11 attacks: Pak court issues summons to those who sold boat

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of seven men charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks on Saturday issued summons to six witnesses for selling a boat and other equipment to the accused.

Judge Chaudhry Habib-ur-Rehman, who is conducting the trial behind closed doors at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for security reasons, issued the summons to Hamza Bin Tariq, Muhammad Ali, Mohammad Saifullah, Umer Draz, Saqib Iqbal and Atiq Ahmed, prosecutors said.

"The accused had bought the boat, an engine and related equipment from these private witnesses," chief prosecutor Chaudhry Zulifqar Ali told PTI after the hearing.

He said since Indian authorities had not yet responded to Pakistan's request to allow a Pakistani judicial commission to cross-examine and record the statements of four witnesses in Mumbai, the prosecution today requested the judge to proceed with the trial.

"There has already been a considerable delay in the case and the court should continue the trial proceedings," Ali told the judge during proceedings.

Prosecutors also requested the court to take up their application to conduct hearings every day.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case till April 6. The Pakistani judicial commission's visit to India has already been delayed by several weeks over the issue of Islamabad seeking an assurance that members of the panel will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses.

The commission is set to make a second visit to Mumbai to record the statements of four witnesses because the anti-terrorism court had rejected a report submitted after its first visit on the ground that the panel was not allowed to conduct any cross-examination.

The trial of the seven suspects, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, has progressed at a snail's pace due to repeated adjournments and various technical delays.

They have been charged with planning, financing and executing the attacks that killed 166 people in November 2008.

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Following BRICS development bank plan with great interest: IMF

The author has posted comments on this articlePTI | Mar 29, 2013, 10.58AM IST

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund has said it is following with "great interest" the recent announcement by leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (known as BRICS) to establish a development bank.

Unlike World bank, The IMF, however, stopped short of welcoming the plan.

"On the development bank, we're following this initiative with great interest," IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said at his weekly news conference at the IMF headquarters in Washington.

"The issue it seeks to address, which is the infrastructure gap in developing countries, is indeed a key constraint to sustainable growth, especially in Africa, and hence of direct concern to us," he said.

Rice said efforts to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in developing countries are important steps.

Earlier over the weekend, the World Bank had welcomed the BRICS announcement in Durban.

"We welcome the announcement of the establishment of a BRICS development bank and stand ready to work closely with the new bank to end poverty and build shared prosperity throughout the developing world," the Bank had said.

The World Bank Group already works with all the BRICS countries sharing our knowledge and making available financial resources, a spokesperson of the bank had had said.

"A major part of the World Bank's strategy is to partner with the regional development banks, NGOs, civil society groups, and national development banks to enhance the effectiveness our collective work," he said.

"We anticipate that the new BRICS Bank will be an invaluable partner in this effort," he said.

The official noted that BRICS countries have a key role to play in helping promote global growth.

"One of the driving forces behind the development of the BRICS Bank is the desire to Increase investment in infrastructure. The World Bank shares this concern," he said.

Noting that establishing a development bank is a significant undertaking, the official said the World Bank awaits the details related to the new Bank's financing, governance, and location and stands ready to assist this newest player in global development any way it can.

Meanwhile the IMF spokesperson said the international body is close to finishing the quote reform process.

"We're very close to the finishing line, to the completion of that, and we're urging all our member countries to implement that as speedily as possible," Rice said.

"The US has indicated its support for moving forward with the reform as expeditiously as possible, and we welcome that indication," he said.

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Suicide attack kills 6 in northwest Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan: A suicide bomber attacked a convoy carrying a paramilitary police commander in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least six people, including two women, police said.

The apparent target of the attack in the main northwest city of Peshawar, Abdul Majeed Marwat who heads the Frontier Constabulary, was not hurt, said police official Dost Mohammed Khan.

The dead included three members of the security forces and three civilians, said Khan. Two of the civilians were women. Over 15 people were wounded, said Khan.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Peshawar is located on the border with Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal region, the main sanctuary for Taliban militants in the country. The Pakistani Taliban have carried out many bombings in the city and other parts of the country targeting both security forces and civilians.

There is concern that the militants could step up the pace of attacks ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for May 11.

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Swiss woman gang rape: Cops to rely more on forensic evidence

BHOPAL/DATIA: In order to prove the charges against the accused in the March 15 Swiss woman gang-rape case, police said they would count more on scientific evidence than on traditional methods like identification parade.

The trial in the gang-rape case will begin tomorrow in the court of Special Additional District Judge (ADJ), Jitendra Kumar Sharma.

"We will rely more on scientific evidence like DNA finger-printing, samples of hair and vaginal swab collected and examined in the case to nail the culprits in the court of law," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chambal Range, DK Arya told .

Police were unable to conduct the test identification parade (TIP) of the accused as the victim was of the opinion that it was not possible to recognize them as the incident had taken place in the dark, police sources said.

"However, this would not weaken our case as we have also seized the victim's laptop, laptop-charger and mobile phone from the six arrested accused in this case and all these things were recognized by her (victim's) partner," Arya said, adding that all these things would act as a strong evidence to nail the accused in the case.

The arrested accused were identified as Baba, Bhutha, Rampro, Gaza alias Brajesh, Vishnu Kanjar and Nitin Kanjar, police said.

Except Nitin and Vishnu Kanjar, all others have been charged with gang-rape.

The investigation officer, N S Rawat in-charge of women's cell, has filed a hundred page charge sheet on March 26 against the accused under various sections of gang-rape and robbery.

Like other rape cases, the trial in this case too is likely to be held in a fast-track manner, the DIG said.

The Swiss tourist, on a cycling trip along with her partner, was allegedly gang-raped by the accused persons at a forest area in Datia district, on the night of March 15.

The incident took place at Jhadia village, eight kms from Datia town at around 9 pm, when the 39-year-old woman, along with her partner was touring the region on a bicycle as part of their India tour.

They were camping at a forest area for the night while on their way back from Orchha, home to temples of Lord Ram, and were proceeding to Agra when they were assaulted and looted by the accused.

The incident, which triggered a public outcry, also rocked the state assembly which was adjourned sine die after Opposition Congress stalled the proceedings.

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Man rapes aunt over property dispute in Bihar, assaults uncle & cousin

NAWADA, BIHAR: A man allegedly raped his aunt and assaulted his uncle and cousin over a property dispute in Bihar's Nawada district, the police said.

Manoj Yadav, the accused, allegedly committed the crimes last night.

He was arrested today from Parahia village under Nadiganj police station, they said.

A pistol and 11 ammunition were seized from his possession, they added.

Raids were being carried out to nab Manoj's father Rameshwar Yadav, who, too has been named as an accused in the assault case.

The rape victim has been taken to a government hospital for medical test, they said.

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Charter for Muslims to be implemented before Lok Sabha polls: Azam Khan

BAREILLY (UP): With an eye on 2014 Lok Sabha polls, urban development minister Mohammad Azam Khan said a charter plan for the welfare of Muslims will be implemented before the elections.

"A charter plan for welfare and betterment (of Muslims) has been given to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. It will be implemented before Lok Sabha polls," Khan told reporters here on Thursday evening.

He, however, did not elaborate on the charter but said it would help in alleviating suffering of Muslims to some extent.

On reservation for Muslims, Khan said it could not be provided without constitutional amendment.

Asked about party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav pulling up ministers who are not working, Khan said he (Yadav) was their "Godfather" and had every right to do so.

The minister said there was no chance of SP having any alliance with NDA before or after Lok Sabha polls.

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Union minister Vasan joins chorus of boycott of Commonwealth meet in Sri Lanka

CHENNAI: Joining the chorus for boycott of a Commonwealth meeting in Colombo over Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Union minister and senior Congress leader GK Vasan today said the venue should be shifted "if there is no change in Lanka's approach" towards ethnic Tamils.

"It is my personal opinion...I feel in the coming days, if there is no change in the approach of Sri Lanka (towards ethnic Tamils), the countries that voted (in favour of the US sponsored-resolution in UNHRC) should jointly make efforts to shift the venue of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to some other country," he told reporters here.

He also said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should attend the meeting on the basis of the collective decision.

Vasan's remarks come days after ruling AIADMK and M Karunanidhi-led DMK in Tamil Nadu demanded that India should boycott CHOGM scheduled to be held in November in Colombo. He said the Sri Lankan government should understand India's position and act accordingly.

Rejecting the charge that India watered down the US resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC, Vasan said India voted against Colombo for a second time. "The UPA government has clearly voted against the Sri Lankan government in the resolution. That shows the strong commitment India has towards the rehabilitation and resettlement of the Tamil people in the region," he said, adding India was in the forefront in bringing together major countries to vote against Sri Lanka.

It would be India's duty to ensure that Tamils in Sri Lanka lived in peace in their own land and regain their original status... The government of India will successfully take steps for our Tamil people in Sri Lanka," he said.

On the IPL Governing Council's decision not to play Sri Lankan cricketers in Chennai matches, he said though there was no link between sports and politics, the move was right.

Referring to the ongoing students protests on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, he said he would convey their sentiments to the Centre.

Replying to a question on the charge against the Sri Lankan high commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam, that he tried to instigate north Indians against people of Tamil Nadu, Vasan said, "He should speak befitting his position".

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Three soldiers killed in attack in southern Thailand

HAT YAI, THAILAND: Suspected militants have killed three soldiers in a roadside attack in Thailand's insurgency-plagued south. The attack came just hours before peace talks between Thai officials and Muslim insurgents were to begin in neighboring Malaysia.

Police Col. Suchart Sa-eed says militants detonated an improvised bomb and opened fire at soldiers who were on foot patrol Thursday in Cho Airong district in Narathiwat province.

He says five soldiers were also wounded in the ambush.

Authorities say the attack took place in a village that is home to a key leader of the Muslim separatist group taking part in talks with the Thai government.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in Thailand's three southernmost provinces since an insurgency erupted in 2004.

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States adding new dimension to India-US ties: Indian envoy

WASHINGTON: A new dimension is being added to the India-US global partnership with growing ties between the states of the two countries, according to the Indian ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao.

Maryland state surrounding the US capital on three sides "has been one of the pioneers in this regard and we admire and are completely supportive of the initiatives you have taken in this regard," she said in an address to the state assembly in Annapolis on Tuesday.

Rao addressed both the chambers of the Maryland General Assembly, the first legislature set up in the United States, predating the Capitol in Washington DC. She also met the Speaker of the House of Delegates, Michael Busch.

State governor Martin O'Malley's six-day visit to India in November 2011 produced significant results with nearly $60 million in business deals for Maryland companies, Rao recalled.

This, she said citing the governor sent "a strong message to India's top business organizations and companies that Maryland is the gateway to doing business in the US."

Turning to the role of the Indian-American community "in advancing the progress and well-being of the US", Rao said: "They epitomize strong family values, educational excellence, creativity, innovation, high standards of professionalism, and dedication to your core democratic principles and traditions."

Maryland's three Indian-American lawmakers, "Sam Arora, (House majority leader) Kumar Barve, Rajan Natarajan, and Aruna Miller are all proud Americans who are also proud of their Indian heritage," she said.

"They play a very important role in bringing our two countries together. They are the bridge-builders of friendship between India and Maryland particularly."

Rao hoped that in the future "Maryland will build stronger and stronger ties with states in India, that are good for businesses in both our countries, in manufacturing, in services, in education, in research and technological innovation.

"That future is what we must aspire to. That promise is what we must see fulfilled" added the ambassador.

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Seven shot dead in separatist attack on Kenya casino: Police

NAIROBI: At least seven people including a policeman were shot dead in gun battles in the early hours on Thursday when a gang attacked a Kenyan coastal casino, police said.

"Six of the attackers were shot dead but they also killed one of our police officers," regional police chief Aggrey Adoli told AFP.

Adoli said that a large gang -- who he said were members of a coastal separatist group, the Mombasa Republic Council (MRC) -- had attacked a casino in Malindi, a popular Indian Ocean tourist resort.

"There was a raid by MRC attackers at Malindi casino earlier this morning at 2.00am by a gang of about 100," Adoli said, adding that four policemen had been at the casino when the raid took place.

"There was a fierce shoot-out outside the casino, because they wanted to try to get in but they were repulsed," Adoli said. Officers had arrested four people, he added.

"We have a contingent of police officers looking for the attackers, we suspect they are hiding in forests around Malindi."

Malindi, some 95 kilometres (60 miles) north of Kenya's main port city of Mombasa, is home is several top end international tourist resorts.

Tourism is a key part of Kenya's economy, and the coastal region is expected to be especially busy over the upcoming Easter weekend.

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UN gives DR Congo one week to act against 'rape' troops

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has given Democratic Republic of Congo a final one week deadline to take action against two army battalions accused of carrying out at least 126 rapes, diplomats said.

UN peacekeeping chief Herve Lasous delivered the ultimatum at a meeting with DR Congo Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda yesterday at the UN headquarters, diplomats said.

The meeting was held as the UN Security Council prepares to vote today on a resolution setting up an intervention brigade to help the army combat rebel groups in eastern DR Congo.

"The Congo government has been told that the army's actions cannot be accepted and there will be serious repercussions," said one UN diplomat.

UN officials confirmed that Ladsous discussed the rapes with the minister yesterday, but gave no details of the ultimatum.

The UN threatened in two letters sent to the government in February to stop working with the army battalions involved unless action was taken over the rapes.

The UN says at least 126 women were raped in the town of Minova around November 20 as the army retreated from an assault by the M23 rebel movement on the regional capital of Goma. Widespread pillaging was reported around Minova.

The DR Congo army is heavily reliant on UN equipment and military support in its efforts to control the armed groups that hold sway in resource-rich eastern DR Congo.

The notoriously feeble DR Congo army has been much criticised for its brutality against civilians and corruption. UN officials said it "melted away" during the M23 advance last year.

Human Rights Watch says that over a 10-day period the soldiers "went on a raping and looting rampage in Minova and neighbouring communities."

The UN said in December that its investigators had evidence of at least 126 rapes, and that two soldiers had been arrested for rape and seven for looting around Minova. But rights groups say no officer has been arrested, and none of the charges have been followed up.

Human Rights Watch said in a report in February that several women told their investigators that "soldiers in official army uniform forced their way into the women's homes at night" demanded money and carried out the rapes.

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PM Manmohan Singh leaves for home after attending BRICS Summit in Durban

DURBAN: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday left Durban for home, ending a four-day visit during which he attended BRICS Summit that decided to establish a development bank to finance infrastructure projects in emerging economies.

Singh was accompanied by a high-level delegation including finance minister P Chidambaram, commerce minister Anand Sharma and national security adviser Shivshankar Menon.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Singh met China's new President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During his first face-to-face meeting with Xi, who took over as president earlier this month as part of the once-in-a-decade change of guard in China, Singh pledged to intensify dialogue and communications with the new leadership of China and to put the ties on an even higher growth trajectory.

The Prime Minister is understood to have conveyed to President Xi concerns in India over the Chinese proposal to construct three dams across the Brahmaputra river in Tibet.

In his meeting with Putin, Singh gave assurance to him that the Kudankulam Unit I of the atomic power reactor in Tamil Nadu will become operational by next month.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria and Afghanistan.

Putin also expressed his hope that Singh would attend the G-20 Summit in St Petersburg in September this year.

During the Summit, BRICS nations decided to launch a development bank to finance infrastructure projects and to create a USD 100 billion contingency fund to tackle any financial crisis in emerging economies, in what is seen as a major win for India's campaign to reform global financial architecture.

The idea of the bank, mooted by India last year during its presidency, has been supported by China.

Together the BRICS account for 25 per cent of global GDP and 40 per cent of the world's population.

With a combined GDP totaling around USD 14 trillion, the BRICS have accounted for 30 per cent of global economic growth since Goldman Sachs coined the BRIC acronym in 2001.

Last year, intra-BRICS trade soared to USD 282 billion, up from only USD 27 billion 10 years ago.

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'We will have to wait and watch': Naveen Patnaik on Third Front

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of SP supremo, Mulayam Singh Yadav raising the issue of a Third Front, BJD chief and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said he is watching the situation as it develops before taking a call on it. Asked about his views on the formation of a Third Front, Patnaik said, "We will have to wait and watch and see how these matters progress."

Patnaik was here to meet water resources minister Harish Rawat to discuss the hurdles in the Polavaram project and other water-related issues.

Yadav has again floated the idea of a Third Front apparently with an eye on the general elections slated for 2014. BJD had moved away from the NDA before the assembly polls in Odisha in 2009.

Rawat dismissed the idea of a Third Front, saying several attempts have been made to form such a coalition in the past but these have had "premature abortions". He said Mulayam Singh Yadav may be making such statements but he is still supporting the UPA government from outside and will continue to do so to protect secularism and provide stability.

Rawat said Yadav's praise for senior BJP leader LK Advani may have come due to their old ties when both were associated with the VP Singh government in 1989.

He expressed confidence that Yadav will be with UPA after the 2014 polls as well.

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US insider trading case: Two corporate executives in California arrested

WASHINGTON: Two corporate executives in California were arrested in connection with an insider trading case, in which they allegedly earned more than $27 million in profits.

David Riley, a former chief information officer and vice-president for Foundry Networks was arrested in San Jose, California, while Matthew Teeple, an analyst for an investment advisory firm to a family of hedge funds located in San Francisco, was arrested in San Clemente.

Both were produced in district courts in California. "As alleged, when David Riley and Matthew Teeple chose to traffic in inside information involving high-tech companies, they embarked on a high-stakes game that has repeatedly been proved to be unwinnable," the US attorney Preet Bharara said.

Bharara and the FBI also announced the unsealing of the guilty plea of John Johnson to conspiracy and securities fraud charges in connection with this insider trading scheme. Johnson pleaded guilty to these charges on March 18 before US district judge John F Keenan.

Riley allegedly provided material, non-public information concerning Foundry, a publicly traded technology company, to Teeple. Teeple then caused others to execute trades based upon the inside information, including in accounts managed by investment adviser A.

In total, these trades earned investment adviser A profits of over USD16 million and enabled investment adviser A to avoid losses in excess of $11 million, the justice department said. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also announced civil charges against Riley, Teeple and Johnson.

According to the complaint and other court documents, throughout the insider trading scheme, Riley obtained inside information from Foundry and shared it with Teeple.

As the CIO of the networking hardware vendor, Riley had access to monthly and quarterly financial reporting, along with other sensitive, non-public information relating to Foundry, well before such information became public.

After receiving inside information concerning Foundry from Riley, Teeple then shared this information with others, including another analyst who works at Investment Adviser A (the Investment Adviser A Analyst) and others who then traded in Foundry securities. Investment adviser A was an investment adviser for a family of hedge funds.

Riley (47) is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and three substantive securities fraud counts. Teeple (41) is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and three substantive securities fraud counts. 46-year-old Johnson is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one substantive securities fraud count.

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China plan to boost North Korea links after sanctions move

BEIJING: A Chinese border province has announced plans to beef up transport and trade links with North Korea, including new railways to the frontier, soon after pledges by Beijing to implement tough new UN sanctions.

China has been North Korea's sole major ally for decades and is overwhelmingly its biggest trade partner, but has come under increasing pressure to join in global sanctions aimed at punishing Pyongyang for repeated nuclear and missile tests.

The blueprint by the Jilin provincial government, in northeast China, calls for "hastening the construction of express railways from key cities such as Changchun to major border cities" and improving rail links from Tumen on the frontier to Rason and Chongjin in North Korea.

The plan calls for the "unimpeded passage of through transport by rail and sea".

There is also a proposal to open a road linking Tumen and North Korea, according to a release published on the government's website Monday, which details plans to strengthen links with other Northeast Asian countries by 2020.

Rason and Chongjin are on North Korea's northeastern coast, on the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Changchun, the capital of Jilin, is in the centre of the province while Tumen is in the northeast, in an ethnic Korean autonomous area.

Earlier this month, Beijing worked with the United States to craft a UN Security Council resolution targeting North Korea's efforts to raise funds to finance its nuclear programme.

Industrial cooperation as detailed in the Jilin plan does not violate sanctions against the North and can play a positive role, Jin Qiangyi, director of the Asia Research Centre at Yanbian University in the province told China's state-run Global Times newspaper Wednesday.

"Keeping some pressure on North Korea by resorting to sanctions is necessary to prevent it from further missile and nuclear tests, but the international community should also maintain engagement with Pyongyang and encourage it to integrate into the world," he said.

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95 Tamil-origin Lankans intercepted by SL navy on way to Australia

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Navy today intercepted a boat carrying 97 Tamil-origin Lankans, including 40 children, believed to be on their way to Australia illegally.

Naval spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said that they were nabbed off the coast of Oluvil on the island nation's eastern coast this morning.

The group consisted of 39 men, 18 women and 40 children. All of them are of Tamil origin.

The navy escorted them back to the Oluvil port, where they were handed over to the crime investigation department of the police for further investigations, the spokesman said.

The flow of illegal immigrants from Lanka continues despite the efforts by the Australian authorities to curb the risky journeys on board fishing trawlers.

The Australian authorities have been running an expensive media campaign in Lanka to educate people of the risks of such journeys in order to deter them from falling prey to illegal immigration rackets.

Australia says that it has returned 936 Sri Lankan asylum seekers between August 2012 and February 2013.

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Karnataka minister sacked after expulsion from BJP

BANGALORE: In a second blow to Karnataka excise minister M P Renukacharya after his expulsion from BJP, chief minister Jagadish Shettar today sacked him from the Cabinet for his frequent outbursts against state leaders.

Shettar has requested governor H R Bhardwaj to drop Renukacharya from the ministry with immediate effect and it has been accepted, a Raj Bhavan communique said.

The chief minister had recommended Renukacharya's sacking yesterday itself, when he was shown the door for "anti-party activities" by Prahlad Joshi in his first act against indiscipline after taking over as the state BJP chief.

Joshi had accused Renukacharya, close to former BJP strongman B S Yeddyurappa, of talking "lightly" about some state leaders, as he had been embarrassing the party by making public attacks against them — the latest being former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda who was accused of corruption.

Calling Renukacharya's utterances as "a clear violation" of party discipline and "anti-party activity", Joshi has expelled him for six years.

Renukacharya has made it clear that his loyalty lies with Yeddyurappa who floated Karnataka Janatha Paksha after he broke away from BJP last year. He is expected to join KJP.

The action comes ahead of the May five assembly polls even as the ruling BJP is in an uneviable situation of having to deal with several fence-sitters at a time when it is grappling with finalising candidates lists.

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Goa to file FIR against two former CMs and minister's son

PANAJI: The Goa government plans to file a first information report (FIR) against 151 people including two former Goa chief ministers, the son of a former Goa home minister, several state and central government officials, besides 100-odd mining firms in connection with illegal mining.

"The FIR will be filed by the state within six weeks as directed by the court," Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar told PTI.

The FIR is a fall out of directives by the Bombay high court's bench in Goa, which heard a petition filed by a Goan citizen Kashinath Shetye, who had sought action against all those indicted by the Justice M B Shah Commission of inquiry into illegal mining.

In its order delivered this week, the court directed that an FIR be filed against all the accused, including two former Goa chief ministers - Pratapsingh Rane (current leader of opposition) and Digambar Kamat, who were also mining ministers.

The name of Roy, son of former Goa home minister Ravi Naik, who was also named in the narcotics mafia nexus case, will be accused in the FIR, for his alleged involvement in transporting illegally extracted ore.

The complaint which will be converted to an FIR, names two former directors of the mines and geology department - J B Bhingui and Arvind Lolienkar, chairman of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) P Mara Pandiyan, secretary of the ministry of environment forest and others.

Quoting Justice M B Shah Commission Report, the complaint accuses officials of the state transport department, state water resources department, Indian Bureau of Mines, state conservator of forests, Goa State Pollution Control Board, police department and others for protecting illegal mining.

"Not only has government natural wealth been robbed without taking permission, but police officials also went further and tried to suppress it by accepting protection money," the complaint which would be converted into FIR said.

The complaint had also demanded recovery of Rs 35,000 crore, which was shown as money plundered by mine owners.

The petitioner, who had moved the high court after police refused to file an FIR acting upon his complaint, has pleaded that the accused being persons in power, who are well connected to the power structure, had exerted pressure on investigators and authorities not to register the FIR.

"They had managed to ensure that the matter is not pursued in a manner that will incriminate them and the case is hushed up," he said.

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Goa govt to file FIR against two former CMs and minister's son

PANAJI: The Goa government plans to file a first information report (FIR) against 151 people including two former Goa chief ministers, the son of a former Goa home minister, several state and central government officials, besides 100-odd mining firms in connection with illegal mining.

"The FIR will be filed by the state within six weeks as directed by the court," Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar told PTI.

The FIR is a fall out of directives by the Bombay high court's bench in Goa, which heard a petition filed by a Goan citizen Kashinath Shetye, who had sought action against all those indicted by the Justice M B Shah Commission of inquiry into illegal mining.

In its order delivered this week, the court directed that an FIR be filed against all the accused, including two former Goa chief ministers - Pratapsingh Rane (current leader of opposition) and Digambar Kamat, who were also mining ministers.

The name of Roy, son of former Goa home minister Ravi Naik, who was also named in the narcotics mafia nexus case, will be accused in the FIR, for his alleged involvement in transporting illegally extracted ore.

The complaint which will be converted to an FIR, names two former directors of the mines and geology department - J B Bhingui and Arvind Lolienkar, chairman of the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) P Mara Pandiyan, secretary of the ministry of environment forest and others.

Quoting Justice M B Shah Commission Report, the complaint accuses officials of the state transport department, state water resources department, Indian Bureau of Mines, state conservator of forests, Goa State Pollution Control Board, police department and others for protecting illegal mining.

"Not only has government natural wealth been robbed without taking permission, but police officials also went further and tried to suppress it by accepting protection money," the complaint which would be converted into FIR said.

The complaint had also demanded recovery of Rs 35,000 crore, which was shown as money plundered by mine owners.

The petitioner, who had moved the high court after police refused to file an FIR acting upon his complaint, has pleaded that the accused being persons in power, who are well connected to the power structure, had exerted pressure on investigators and authorities not to register the FIR.

"They had managed to ensure that the matter is not pursued in a manner that will incriminate them and the case is hushed up," he said.

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United Nations to move half of international staff out of Syria

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations is removing about half of the 100 international staffers it has in Syria as attacks edge closer to UN buildings, a spokesman said on Monday.

Mortar shells have fallen on the Damascus hotel used by UN workers, according to UN spokesman Martin Nesirky, who blamed worsening security conditions for the decision to evacuate staff.

All of the 800 Syrian staff remaining have been told to work from home until security improves, he added.

Nearly all of the Damascus staff of UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will be moved to Cairo or Beirut as part of the new measures, Nesirky told reporters.

"Yesterday and today a number of mortar shells fell in close proximity to and on the grounds of the hotel in Damascus housing UN staff," Nesirky said.

The mortars damaged the building and some cars, including one UN vehicle, he added.

Other suicide bombs and attacks have also struck close to UN buildings as Damascus becomes a key battleground in the war between government forces and opposition rebels, diplomats said.

At least one person was killed and several injured when mortars hit the central Ummayad Square today, Syrian media reported. Other shells fell on the district yesterday, injuring about a dozen people.

Nesirky said about 50 of the approximately 100 UN international staff in Damascus would be affected by the "temporary relocation". A handful will also be moved to other Syrian cities, such as Homs.

The international staff come from Brahimi's mission, the Office of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees and other UN agencies.

The United Nations has a huge humanitarian operation in Syria aiming to feed and help more than two million Syrians caught in the two-year-old conflict which the UN says has left more than 70,000 dead.

Most of the distribution work is now carried out by Syrian staff and through the Syrian Red Crescent.

Nesirky stressed, however, that Brahimi's political efforts to end the two-year-old conflict would go on. Brahimi is based in Cairo.

"These measures are being undertaken solely for security reasons. The United Nations remains active and committed to helping the Syrians sides in their search for a political solution," Nesirky said.

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6.2 magnitude earthquake rocks Guatemala: US Geological Survey

WASHINGTON: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook Guatemala late Monday, the US Geological Survey reported.

The quake, which struck at 2302 GMT, had its epicenter 10 kilometers (six miles) east-southeast of the capital Guatemala City at a depth of 200 kilometers, the USGS reported.

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring El Salvador, but there were no reports of damage.

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Soldiers from 23 nations take part in military exercise in Nepal

PANCHKHAL, NEPAL: Soldiers from 23 nations began military exercises in Nepal to train for UN peacekeeping missions in areas hit by conflicts.

The Nepalese army said the two-week exercises organized by Nepal and the United States will promote regional security and enhance peacekeeping capabilities.

Altogether, 871 soldiers are participating from countries including Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, Jordan, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

They will train in skills used for peacekeeping operations such as patrolling, checkpoint controls and convoy operations.

"The focus is to learn and practice ways of peacekeeping skills in the realistic environment as well as learn from each nation's participants," said Lt. Gen. Thomas Conant of the US Pacific Command.

Nepal has been sending soldiers on U.N. peacekeeping missions since 1958.

The exercises that started Monday are scheduled to end on April 7.

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South Korean president tells North Korea 'abandon nuclear weapons' to survive

DAEJEON, South Korea: South Korean president Park Geun-Hye warned North Korea on Tuesday that its only "path to survival" lay in abandoning its nuclear and missile programmes.

In a speech to mark the third anniversary of the sinking of a South Korean naval vessel by what Seoul insists was a North Korean submarine, Park called on Pyongyang to "change course" at a time of elevated military tension on the Korean peninsula.

"For the North, the only path to survival lies in stopping provocations and threats, abandoning its nuclear weaponry and missiles, and becoming a responsible member of the international community," Park said.

The president delivered her speech at the national cemetery in the central city of Daejeon where the 46 sailors who died when the Cheonan corvette sunk are buried.

North Korea has always denied any involvement in the incident which precipitated a total freeze in South-North relations.

"Even now, North Korea is threatening our national security," Park said, citing Pyongyang's successful long-range rocket test in December and the third nuclear test it carried out last month.

Both events triggered UN sanctions that infuriated the North, which has spent the past month issuing increasingly dire threats about unleashing an "all-out war" backed by nuclear weapons.

Sabre-rattling and displays of brinkmanship are nothing new in the region, but there are concerns that the current situation is so volatile that one accidental step could escalate into serious confrontation and conflict.

Bruce Klingner, a Korea expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation in Washington, believes the "risk of miscalculation and escalation" is heightened by the presence of new leaders in both Koreas.

Kim Jong-Un, believed to be in his late 20s, succeeded his late father Kim Jong-Il as North Korea's supreme leader a little more than a year ago, while Park was only sworn in last month.

Park had campaigned on a pledge of greater engagement with North Korea, but February's nuclear test put any rapprochement on indefinite hold.

Kim, meanwhile, has spent the past few weeks touring frontline military units, monitoring live fire artillery drills and drone strikes and making inflammatory speeches about wiping out the enemy.

On the eve of the Cheonan sinking anniversary, Kim oversaw joint army and navy exercises to repel an amphibious landing along the eastern coast.

"He stressed the need to destroy the enemies in waters to the last man ... and send all of them to the bottom of the sea as they run wild like wolves threatened with fire," the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

In an open letter to troops published to mark the Cheonan anniversary, South Korea's hawkish defence minister, Kim Kwan-Jin, said there was a "high possibility" the North's threats might he translated into action.

He also reiterated that South Korea's response to any provocation would not only target the origin of the attack, "but also its supporting and commanding forces".

The South Korean and US militaries signed a new pact last week, providing for a joint military response even to low-level action by North Korea.

While existing agreements provide for US engagement in the event of a full-scale conflict, the new protocol addresses the response to a limited provocation such as a cross-border incursion.

It guarantees US support for any South Korean retaliation and allows Seoul to request any additional US military force it deems necessary.

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TN govt asks Centre to withdraw 1974 agreement with Sri Lanka

CHENNAI: Voicing concern over increased attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu government today asked the Centre to initiate diplomatic steps to check it and urged for withdrawal of the 1974 agreement ceding Katchatheevu islet to the island nation.

Replying to a special call attention on the issue in the assembly, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said her government will seek legal course if the UPA government failed to accede to the demand.

The Centre seemed to be of the opinion that fishermen from the state were beyond India, she said while decrying the continued attacks.

In her detailed reply, she said ceding of Katchatheevu had resulted in attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy as Colombo was not respecting various provisions of the agreement relating to traditional rights.

Citing the Berubari judgement in the Supreme Court in the 1960, she said then West Bengal government had moved the court against ceding it to then East Pakistan and the court had ruled that such ceding could be done only after getting the approval of the two Houses of the Parliament besides constitutional amendments.

"Had (DMK president) M Karunanidhi followed this in 1974 as chief minister, Katchatheevu would not have been ceded to Sri Lanka. He failed to do it," she alleged.

Jayalalithaa recalled that in 2008 she had filed a case in the Supreme Court against the 1974 accord with the state revenue department later impleading in the case.

She said that every time fishermen were arrested, she took up the matter with the Centre and in the last one month, four attacks had been reported.

"Centre should strongly condemn these attacks, and to end these brutal attacks and arrest of fishermen should take diplomatic steps at least now. The Sri Lankan envoy in Delhi should be summoned and protest should be lodged over the attacks.

"Further, I insist that India should immediately withdraw the Katchatheevu agreement. Else, we will place strong arguments in the Supreme Court when the case comes up", she said.

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All Congress MLAs suspended for a day from Gujarat assembly

GANDHINAGAR: All the Congress MLAs, who created ruckus in the Gujarat assembly today over water crisis facing many parts of the state, were suspended by Speaker Vaju Vala for a day.

As soon as the question hour commenced, leader of opposition Shankarsinh Vaghela raised the issue of water scarcity in Kutch, Saurashtra and North Gujarat region and demanded suspension of question hour to discuss the issue.

However, the Speaker refused to accept the demand holding that he had no such suo motu powers to do so and that he could allow discussion on the subject only if opposition leader and government in concurrence submit a proposal to the effect.

Following the Speaker's ruling, Congress members started sloganeering and thumping of benches and 14 of them rushed to the well of the house and sat their in protest.

The Speaker then ordered their suspension for a day and marshals were asked to take them out of the house.

When only couple of minutes left before the completion of the question hour, remaining 40 odd Congress MLAs also rushed to the well of the House in protest and sat there.

Taking strong exception to it, the Speaker suspended them as well from the House for a day and ordered Marshals to 'respectfully' take them out of the house.

After the question hour, state finance minister Nitin Patel, while condemning the behaviour of the opposition members, requested the speaker to withdraw their suspension.

However, the Speaker rejected the request and held that, "my ruling was in response to the indiscipline by the members and to maintain the respect and honour of the House. I did not take the decision of suspension on your proposal. I have suo motu suspended them for indiscipline, so keep your softness with you," Speaker told Patel.

Later, while addressing the media outside the house, Leader of Opposition Vaghela alleged that state government has shown no sensitivity to the problem of drinking water.

"Since the beginning of the assembly session, we have sent 17 requests to the office of the Speaker, under different rules of the House, seeking discussion in the house on deteriorating water crisis. But the government has steadfastly refused to agree," he alleged.

Showing a written reply to one of the notices given by Congress MLA from Talala Jasu Barad, Vaghela said that, "the Speaker's office rejected the demand for a discussion on the ground that the concerned minister has no time for it."

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Manmohan Singh leaves for Durban to attend BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left today on a 4-day visit to Durban for attending the BRICS Summit expressing the hope that ways to revive global growth and faster movement on reform of institutions of global, political and economic governance will be discussed at the meeting of the emerging economies.

Accompanied by a high-power delegation including finance minister P Chidambaram and commerce minister Anand Sharma, Singh will attend the summit of five nations on Mar 26 and 27 when discussions will also be held on steps to ensure global macroeconomic stability as well as mechanisms and measures to promote investment in infrastructure and sustainable development.

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said he looked forward to meeting with the new Chinese President Xi Jinpeng to discuss how India and China can maintain the positive trajectory of relationship and further strengthen "this very important bilateral relationship".

The first BRICS Summit on the African soil is expected to declare the launching of a development bank for undertaking infrastructure and development projects. The idea of the bank, mooted by India last year during its presidency, has been supported by China.

However, the Prime Minister's statement made no mention on the BRICS bank.

Finance ministers of BRICS nations will meet in Durban tomorrow to give final touches to the bank.

In his statement, Singh said the Durban Summit provides a useful and timely opportunity to consult and coordinate on a broad range of issues with BRICS partners.

"We will discuss ways to revive global growth and ensure macroeconomic stability as well as mechanisms and measures to promote investment in infrastructure and sustainable development.

"India will also urge faster movement on reform of institutions of global political and economic governance.It is important that BRICS continue to consult closely on developments affecting global peace and security," he said in an obvious reference to higher quota for developing countries in Bretton Woods institutions like World Bank and IMF and the reform of the UN Security Council.

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Militants attack Manipur government official's residence

IMPHAL: Militants attacked the house of a Manipur government official in Imphal East district by hurling a powerful grenade, the police said on Monday.

The ultras lobbed the explosive at the residence of state forest department ranger Konsam Achouba at interior Pourabi Mayai Leikai village yesterday but the grenade failed to explode.

Achouba and his family members were present at the time of the incident, they said, adding that no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Family members of the official said a militant outfit had demanded a huge sum of money from the family about a month ago but they have not contacted the family after that.

In another incident, commandos attached to Thoubal district police in interior Manipur, arrested two insurgents of the banned People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak-Progressive (PREPAK-P) identified as sisters Ningombam Pramodini and Ningthoujam Manimacha from Sekmaijin area in Thoubal district yesterday.

A 9mm pistol along with some rounds of ammunition and 'letters demanding money from the public' were allegedly recovered from the possession of the two.

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National Conference's adjournment motion on Hizb militant disallowed

JAMMU: The ruling National Conference on Monday brought an adjournment motion in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly to discuss and debate the issue of the arrest, by Delhi Police, of militant Liyaqat Ali Shah. The speaker disallowed the motion.

The adjournment motion was moved by the National Conference's provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani and three others of his party, seeking a discussion on the subject of why a Kashmiri was being targeted, particularly when he was on his way home to surrender to police.

Speaker Mubarak Gul, however, disallowed the adjournment motion, saying that since chief minister Omar Abdullah has already taken up the matter with union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and sought a probe into the whole affair by the NIA, the adjournment motion did not hold water.

There are two conflicting versions on the arrest of Liyakat Ali Shah, a militant of the Hizb-ul-Mujahadeen. While Delhi Police believe he was part of a terrorist plot aimed at striking in the union capital, Jammu and Kashmir Police say he was on his way back home from Pakistan to surrender, under the rehabilitation policy of the government.

The rehabilitation policy, announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2010, is meant to encourage those militants wishing to return to the mainstream from Pakistan-administered Kashmir to lay down arms and return to their families.

The surrendered militants, however, will continue to be tried by the courts if cases are pending against them.

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Will not show mercy to those involved in VVIP chopper scam: Antony

KOCHI: Defence minister A K Antony on Monday said that no mercy will be shown to those involved in the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper deal scam and that he was waiting for the report from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The CBI is probing the case in detail. I stand by the commitment given to the Parliament that severe action will be taken against the culprits," Antony told reporters at a defence function at Southern Naval Command here.

He said that the government was working on a new defence procurement policy which will be reviewed every year.

"The formulation of new defence procurement policy is in its final stages. The government will take a call on fresh procurements based on that," he added.

On Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the minister said that the whole nation and the government have expressed solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils. "We are trying to help the Sri Lankan Tamils within our limitations," Antony said.

Regarding the India-Italy row over fishermen's killing, he said that the Indian judiciary has taken a bold stand and we should be proud of it.

"Our stand is justified in the case. The bold stand taken by the Supreme Court has enhanced the dignity of our nation," the minister added.

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SRPF jawan held for making obscene gestures at girls

NASHIK: An SRPF jawan was arrested for allegedly making obscene gestures at girls residing in a hostel in Dhule district, police said today.

Bhooshan Phulpagare (29), a jawan with the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), made some vulgar gestures at girls staying in a government tribal hostel at Devpur locality in Dhule city yesterday.

The girls informed their hostel superintendent. Later, the hostel superintendent and girls caught hold of the jawan and beat him up before handing him to police.

The accused was booked under sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of IPC.

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Jayalalithaa asks GAIL to stop gas pipeline project, return the land to farmers

CHENNAI: Taking a tough stand on the multi-crore Kochi-Bengaluru GAIL gas pipeline project, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday told the company to remove the pipelines that had already been laid on agricultural land and asked them to do the work along the side of the national highways.

The government's decision comes in the wake of opposition from farmers in the state. The government had held three public hearings to gather the views of farmers, who have stoutly opposed the project in western Tamil Nadu.

"GAIL should withdraw the current scheme and should take steps to lay pipelines along the side of the national highways," she told the assembly.

While replying to the special call attention motion raised by the opposition parties including the DMK, the CM said the after removing the pipelines, the company should also restore the land to its original state and return it to the farmers.

Stating that her government will not encourage projects that affect people, Jayalalithaa told GAIL to withdraw all the cases filed against the farmers. "Nobody will accept that there is any justification that industrial growth should be attained at the cost of farmers' livelihood...my government is determined that projects are for the people, and not the other way around," she said.

Jayalalithaa's strong stand came against the backdrop of a three-day consultation the state government held with affected farmers recently and led by chief secretary Sheela Balakrishnan. In addition, the chief minister asked the company to give adequate compensation to the affected farmers.

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13 people dead as hailstorms hit several parts of China

BEIJING: At least 13 people were killed and more than two million affected as hailstorms hit several parts of China, officials said.

Nine people died and over 270 were injured when a hailstorm hit Dongguan city in south China's Guangdong province, Xinhua reported.

The hailstorm caused an economic loss of over 350 million yuan (around $56 million) in the city.

Three people died and more than one million have been affected after hailstorms hit the central Hunan province.

More than 74,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. Around 1,900 houses have collapsed and 100,000 homes were partially damaged.

The storm damaged over 92,000 hectares of crops.

In other regions of central and south China, a rew round of hailstorms killed one person and affected around 840,000 people, according to the ministry of civil affairs.

At least 42 areas in Chongqing and the provinces of Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou have been ravaged by the extreme weather, leaving at least 150,000 people in urgent need of resettlement and basic living aid.

The storm has toppled more than 1,000 houses and damaged another 138,000 in these areas.

It also damaged 43,200 hectares of crops, causing an economic loss estimated at 590 million yuan ($94 million).

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13 people dead as hailstorms hit several parts of China

BEIJING: At least 13 people were killed and more than two million affected as hailstorms hit several parts of China, officials said.

Nine people died and over 270 were injured when a hailstorm hit Dongguan city in south China's Guangdong province, Xinhua reported.

The hailstorm caused an economic loss of over 350 million yuan (around $56 million) in the city.

Three people died and more than one million have been affected after hailstorms hit the central Hunan province.

More than 74,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. Around 1,900 houses have collapsed and 100,000 homes were partially damaged.

The storm damaged over 92,000 hectares of crops.

In other regions of central and south China, a rew round of hailstorms killed one person and affected around 840,000 people, according to the ministry of civil affairs.

At least 42 areas in Chongqing and the provinces of Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou have been ravaged by the extreme weather, leaving at least 150,000 people in urgent need of resettlement and basic living aid.

The storm has toppled more than 1,000 houses and damaged another 138,000 in these areas.

It also damaged 43,200 hectares of crops, causing an economic loss estimated at 590 million yuan ($94 million).

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Naveen Jindal, AIIMS professor fall prey to cyber crime

NEW DELHI: The cyber cell of Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing has registered four cases of cyber crime in the past two days following complaints, including one from Congress MP Naveen Jindal and an AIIMS professor.

While Jindal has complained of "derogatory" postings on Facebook and demanded its blocking, AIIMS Orthopaedics professor Prakash P Kotwal is aggrieved at derogatory e-mails and postings on social networking sites and blogs.

Two other complaints -- harassment of a woman residing in south Delhi's Munirka and cloning of the website of Ministry of Statistics and Implementation -- have also been registered in the past two days, a senior police official said today.

In his complaint, Jindal said that unknown persons with "ulterior motives" want to "tarnish" his image and that it has come to his knowledge that some community pages have come up in his name in Facebook with defamatory and abusive messages.

"There are also some messages posted on the said pages representing as that having posted by me...I suspect that these pages have been created with ulterior motives and may be part of a larger conspiracy," he claimed.

Jindal also said he was further making inquiries "at our end" in order to support police in the investigations and demanded that the sites be blocked.

Kotwal, the AIIMS Orthopaedic Department Head, claimed in his complaint that derogatory e-mails started pouring in after interviews to the post of Assistant Professor in March last year.

"Somebody with probably a fake name (Madhusudhan Patel, this name does not exist in Indian Orthopaedic Association) sent a mail to AIIMS complaining against an article....The whole matter was looked in depth by the AIIMS authorities and his allegations were found to be false," he said.

However, he claimed, the emails did not stop and was sent in another name besides derogatory comments posted in social networking sites and blogs.

"This attack is on our professional reputation and personal prestige," he said in the complaint filed in November last year and case registered yesterday.

The official said during investigations into this case, the EoW also received a similar complaint from Dr (Prof) Rajesh Malhotra.

The third cyber case registered in EoW in the past two days was one from the Ministry which said that its www.mospi. gov.in was cloned by someone who has the URL www.dsegovt.in.

The other case was that of the woman residing in Munirka who received a series of calls from unknown numbers and a text message.

In all the four complaints, case under Section 66 of Information Technology was registered.

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PM leaves tomorrow for Durban to attend BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves here tomorrow on a four-day visit to Durban in South Africa to attend a five-nation Summit on March 26 and 27 that could launch a BRICS development bank and discuss ways to reform governance in international financial institutions.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation including finance minister P Chidambaram, commerce minister Anand Sharma and national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, the Prime Minister will also have an opportunity to meet with the new Chinese leadership on the Summit sidelines when he calls on President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

The highlight of the Summit of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) is the possible setting up of the BRICS bank. But there is no no clarity on its corpus.

The bank is expected to promote growth and investment in its member-states and other emerging markets and will be a strong voice in the lobbying for the reform of international financial institutions.

The BRICS finance ministers, who have met four times in the past on the issue, will be meeting in Durban tomorrow ahead of the Summit when a clear picture may emerge. "There are still some issues to be resolved. If everything goes well, whatever is the final decision will be included in the Summit communique," say Indian officials.

"Things are moving on that and they are moving pretty fast," they say. There has been speculation that the size of the bank could be about USD 50 billion.

India had last year mooted the idea of BRICs-led South-South Development Bank, mainly funded and managed by BRICS countries to recycle surpluses into investment in developing countries for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

The new Chinese president has backed the establishment of the BRICS bank, supporting the South African Presidency's priority in firming up that move.

The meeting of the USD 12 trillion grouping also comes at a time when the global economy is still grappling problems of slowdown. The leaders are expected to take a call on scaling up intra-BRICS trade to a new level of USD 50 billion discussed sometime ago by their commerce ministers.

The other major issue coming up at the Summit is the need for reforms of global financial governance architecture and spurring infrastructure building in the developing world.

With huge foreign exchange reserves, the BRICS economies will be campaigning hard at the Durban meet for greater voting quota for emerging powers and developing countries in the Bretton Woods institutions like World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Hoping for positive results in these areas, Xi told BRICS journalists last week that a new economic governance system must reflect the profound changes in the global economic landscape so that the representation and voice of the emerging markets in developing countries should be increased.

The BRICS finance ministers will also discuss the shareholding and quota of countries in IMF, sources said.

India will handover the Chairmanship of BRICS to South Africa which will host the Summit. The theme of the meet is 'BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialisation'. The Summit will come out with Durban Declaration named as eThekwini Declaration. eThekwini is the South African name of Durban city.

South Africans are aiming at setting up a BRICS Business Council. There will also be a BRICS Business Summit which will be attended by a combined business delegation from India representing bodies like FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM. Chidambaram and Sharma will address the business meet.

On the Summit sidelines, Prime Minister Singh will also have meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, besides his South African host President Jacob Zuma.

President Xi has already struck a positive note with his warm words for Singh, saying he looked forward to meeting him in Durban.

Talking to BRICS journalists in Beijing last week, Xi had unveiled a five-point formula for improving ties with India, proposing accommodation of each other's concerns and proper handling of differences.

Peace and tranquility should be maintained on the border and border tensions should not affect the overall development of bilateral ties, he had said.

Singh and Xi are expected to review bilateral relations and discuss further steps to boost relations.

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Rebels in Central African Republic 'seize' presidential palace

BANGUI, Central African Republic: Rebels in the Central African Republic fighting to topple President Francois Bozize said on Sunday they had seized the presidential palace in an assault on the capital Bangui as gunbattles sent panicked residents fleeing.

Fighters in the Seleka rebel coalition advanced into the riverside capital on Saturday after the collapse of a two-month-old peace deal in the notoriously unstable and deeply poor former French colony -- ignoring a call for talks to avoid a "bloodbath".

"We have taken the presidential palace. Bozize was not there," one of the rebel commanders on the ground, Colonel Djouma Narkoyo, said.

He said the rebels were planning to move on to the national radio station where rebel leader Michel Djotodia planned to make an address.

"Today will be decisive," Narkoyo said. "We call on our brothers in FACA (the Central African army) to lay down their arms."

Bozize, who himself led a coup in the landlocked country in 2003, has not been seen since his return from South Africa on Friday and there was no statements from the government Sunday about the latest developments.

Heavy gunbattles erupted at about 0700 GMT, but later the shooting became more sporadic, an AFP correspondent said.

"We head gunfire everywhere in the city centre. It was chaos," said one witness. "Everyone started running in all directions."

Narkoyo had said on Saturday the rebels were ready to meet with regional African leaders on the crisis, but refused to negotiate with Bozize.

And he warned that if Seleka -- a loose alliance of three rebel movements -- captured Bangui, it would set up a new government.

Bangui resident Francis Komgdo, who lives near a checkpoint that effectively marks the entrance to the capital, told AFP the rebels had passed through Saturday in vehicles and motorbikes, occasionally firing in the air.

Gunfire and explosions in Bangui on Saturday saw the streets emptied as local people fled to their homes.

The city was also plunged into darkness last night after rebels sabotaged a hydroelectric power plant in Boali, north of the capital, an official with the Enerca electricity company and residents said.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye on Saturday called on the rebels to accept talks to "avoid a bloodbath".

Tiangaye, an opposition figure, was only appointed as part of the peace deal brokered between the government and the rebels in January, an agreement that broke down last week.

Paris-based rebel spokesman Eric Massi has said the rebel leadership was urging its forces on the ground to refrain from "looting or score-settling with the local population".

Former colonial power France has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the deteriorating situation, said Romain Nadal, a spokesman for the president's office.

France had not issued an evacuation order, but the estimated 1,250 French nationals in the country were advised to stay at home, said Nadal.

There were no immediate plans to send reinforcements to back up the 250 French troops in the country to protect them, he added.

The UN Security Council on Friday voiced strong concern about the rebel advances "and their humanitarian consequences" amid reports of widespread summary executions, rapes, torture and the use of children in conflict.

Seleka first launched its offensive in the north of the country on December 10, accusing Bozize of not abiding by the terms of previous peace agreements.

Facing little resistance from an ill-trained and ill-equipped army, they seized a string of towns, defying UN calls to stop before halting within striking distance of Bangui.

They reached a peace deal with the government in January under which Tiangaye became head of a national unity government that was to carry out reforms before national elections next year.

But that deal collapsed this month after the rebels said their demands, which included the release of people they described as political prisoners, had not been met.

The international community has nervously watched the spike in tensions in the landlocked nation of 4.4 million people where Bozize himself seized power in a 2003 coup.

The country has been plagued by coups and army mutinies since its independence from France in 1960.

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SC's intervention helped solve Italian marines issue: Antony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The "stern stand" and intervention of the Supreme Court and the Centre helped bring back the two Italian marines charged with killing two Indian fishermen, defence minister A K Antony said on Sunday.

"The issue was solved without much problems with the stern stand taken by the Supreme Court and its strong intervention. The Centre also took a similar position leading to the return of marines to face trial here," Antony told reporters here.

The Centre fully supported the feelings of the state government on the issue, he said. The marines-- Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone--were aboard an Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie' when they allegedly shot dead the two fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15 last year.

The two marines returned on Friday last after India gave an assurance that they will not face death penalty nor will they be arrested, bring an end to a raging 11-day diplomatic row between the two countries.

Antony said the recent controversies that plagued the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala should have been avoided. "If they learn from experiences and correct mistakes, it will be better for the state, UDF government, ruling Front and the Congress," he said.

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BJP demands dismissal of Omar Abdullah government

JAMMU: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday described the Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir as a "security risk" and demanded that the governor dismiss the government without further delay.

Accusing the National Conference-Congress coalition government of siding with terrorists and furthering their agenda, the party's four MLAs staged a sit-in outside the legislature complex in protest against the "pro-terrorist" policies of the government.

Chief whip of the party Ashok Khajuria said that the governor should take "cognisance of the anti-national agenda that the government is pursuing in Jammu and Kashmir, by disarming paramilitary forces and crying for mercy to terrorists", thus exposing the government's true colours.

The BJP was referring to the way the discussion on parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's hanging was held in the legislative assembly, and the manner in which the government had defended the disarming of the paramilitary forces, resulting in the encouragement to terrorists to strike them.

Four legislators also termed the demand for the revocation of the special powers granted to security forces under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as part of the "pro-terrorist agenda" of the ruling alliance in the state.

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North Korea condemns UN call for human rights probe

SEOUL: North Korea has condemned a UN resolution approving a formal investigation into its suspected human rights violations.

North Korea's foreign ministry said on Friday that it will completely ignore the resolution adopted Thursday by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The resolution calls for the creation of a team of independent experts to investigate for one year what UN officials suspect as widespread and systematic violations of human rights in North Korea.

Top UN human rights official Navi Pillay has said the UN has evidence indicating up to 200,000 people are held in North Korean political prison camps rife with torture, rape and slave labour.

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China, Pakistan conclude secret deal on nuclear reactor

WASHINGTON: China has secretly entered into an agreement with Pakistan to construct a third nuclear reactor at Chashma in Punjab province that the Obama administration says will violate Beijing's promises under an international anti-nuclear weapons accord, a media report said.

"According to US intelligence and diplomatic officials, the secret agreement for the Chashma 3 reactor was signed in Beijing during the visit by a delegation from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from February 15 to 18," The Washington Free Beacon reported.

The agreement calls for the state-run China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to construct a 1,000-megawatt power plant at Chashma, where two earlier Chinese reactors were built, the American website said.

While there was no confirmation of the news story from Pakistan or China, The Washington Free Beacon quoted unnamed state department official, who said that such a Chinese move would be in violation of its international promise.

China, which joined NSG in 2005, agreed not to sell additional reactors to Pakistan beyond the two reactors sold earlier.

Under NSG guidelines China is not permitted to sell nuclear goods to any country that is not part of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) participating governments have discussed the issue of China's expansion of nuclear cooperation with Pakistan at the last several NSG plenary sessions," a state department official was quoted as saying.

"We remain concerned that a transfer of new reactors at Chashma appears to extend beyond the cooperation that was 'grandfathered' in when China was approved for membership in the NSG," the official told The Washington Free Beacon, which reported that the US is expected to protest the sale at an upcoming NSG meeting in June.

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India, US mull cooperation in moon, Mars missions

WASHINGTON: India and the US have agreed to expand their cooperation in civil space activities ranging from weather and monsoon forecasting to cooperative space exploration work, including future missions to the moon and Mars.

The agreement between the two countries' space agencies, Indian Space Research Organisation and National Aeronautical and Space Administration (Nasa) was announced Friday after a meeting of the US-India Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG).

"Building on Nasa's collaboration in India's highly successful Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission in 2008, Nasa and ISRO agreed to explore further cooperative space exploration work, including future missions to the moon and Mars," a joint statement issued after the meeting said.

"To this end the CSJWG agreed to continue discussions in planetary science and Heliophysics to identify areas of potential cooperation," it said.

Continued progress is also being made in promoting compatibility and interoperability between the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the statement said.

Further work in this area will take place bilaterally and in multilateral bodies such as the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, it said.

The two sides exchanged information on a range of space and other policy issues and noted ongoing efforts to open up new opportunities for collaboration.

Both sides confirmed the significant programmatic interest in, and scientific merit of, moving forward with the proposed Nasa-ISRO cooperation in the L & S-Band SAR mission, or remote sensing techniques, the statement said.

At the opening of the meeting Nasa Administrator Charles Bolden highlighted the impressive growth of US-India cooperation on a range of cutting edge projects from deep space exploration to the use of Earth observing satellites to promote sustainable development.

CSJWG is a vital pillar in the US-India partnership, Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao said suggesting that both sides should continue to search for new areas of cooperation noting that "there is no final frontier in this relationship".

This dialogue architecture should pave way for enhanced space applications for societal benefits, she said.

Endorsing expanded work in a number of areas, the working group noted that existing cooperation, in the use of US and Indian earth observation satellite data, has produced information yielding a broad range of societal benefits.

These include improved weather and monsoon forecasting, disaster management and response, improved agricultural and natural resource use and better understanding of climate change.

Through expanded cooperation between their technical agencies that operate earth observing satellites, the two sides agreed on a number of measures that will improve the use of this data to promote sustainable development.

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Pak President Asif Ali Zardari quits post of Pakistan People's Party co-chairman

LAHORE: Faced with a challenge from the assertive judiciary, President Asif Ali Zardari has quit the political office of co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party and made his son Bilawal its "patron-in-chief".

"President Zardari is no more the co-chairman of the PPP. The main body of the PPP has been dissolved and his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has been elected the party's patron-in-chief," a close aide to 57-year-old Zardari told PTI.

Earlier, Bilawal, 24, was the chairman of the PPP. The decision was made to off-set pressure from the Lahore High Court, which had asked Zardari to act on its suggestion that he should quit his post in the PPP as the President is expected to be impartial.

The High Court has also asked the President not to indulge in political activities.

During the hearing of the case, Wasim Sajjad, the government's lawyer, had informed the court that the PPP was a "private organisation" and had nothing to do with politics.

Sajjad had also informed the court that the party that had headed the government was the PPP-Parliamentarians, which was registered with the Election Commission.

"We hope the President will get relief from the High Court after quitting his political office," said the aide to Zardari, who did not want to be named.

After appointing Bilawal the patron-in-chief, PPP leaders plan to get the party registered with the Election Commission on March 25.

The PPP-Parliamentarians had recently applied for the arrow as its symbol for the general election to be held on May 11.

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Anti-Naxal drive: IAF to deploy latest Mi-17 V-5 helicopters

NEW DELHI: Strengthening its capability for anti-Naxal operations, IAF will deploy a squadron of its latest Mi-17 V-5 helicopters in Nagpur to cater to the needs of extremism-hit states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

These helicopters are advanced versions of the existing fleet of Mi-17s in the IAF and are equipped with sophisticated avionics and on-board navigation systems making them more suitable for both day and night operations in Naxal-affected areas.

The helicopters will be deployed in Nagpur to cater to the needs of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in anti-Naxal operations, Indian Air Force sources said.

So far, IAF has deployed its choppers in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh for supporting anti-Naxal operations.

IAF has been providing aerial support to troops from CRPF deployed in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states since 2009.

The choppers are used to insert and evacuate troops during Naxal-operations and have been suitably equipped to operate in dense forests and can operate from temporary helipads there.

The Mi-17 V-5 helicopters have on-board weather radar along with the state-of-the art autopilot and latest night vision devices.

IAF has been providing aerial assistance in the anti-Naxal operations in five states of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

The force is operating there within the standard operating procedure (SOP) or rules of engagement laid down by the defence ministry, which prescribes for fire in self defence only.

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Parliament disrupted again over Sri Lankan Tamils' issue

NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were once again disrupted on Friday over the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils. The question hour was lost to protests.

DMK members also raised the issue of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids at the residence of party leader MK Stalin.

In the Lok Sabha, as soon as the House met for the day, members from DMK and AIADMK were on their feet protesting against the resolution against Sri Lanka in United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The DMK and AIADMK have said the resolution was not strong enough.

Amid protests, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon.

In the Rajya Sabha, DMK members demanded the government clarify on the raids at Stalin's house in Chennai.

"Government should react," said DMK's Tiruchi Shiva.

AIADMK members were, meanwhile, displaying placards with a picture of the dead son of slain LTTE chief V Prabhakaran.

Members from both DMK and AIADMK raised slogans demanding "justice", after which chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House till noon.

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Credit for return of naval guards not government's alone: Opposition

NEW DELHI: Even as the government claimed it was deft "diplomacy" that was responsible for the return of the two Italian naval guards to stand trial for murder, the opposition on Friday said it was the pressure it created that made the difference.

"It was a combined effort of all opposition parties. The opposition persuaded the government, which made it work out a tough stand," Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

Taking a similar stand, Communist Party of India leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the government alone could not take credit for the return of the naval guards.

"It is good Italy is sending them back, but government cannot take the full credit," Dasgupta added.

"The Congress can garland itself if it wants, but the truth is that credit must be given to public pressure, the pressure created by parliament, international pressure, and also to the stand the Supreme Court took," he said.

The two Italian naval guards facing trial for killing two Indian fishermen last year are headed back to India, the government announced on Friday.

Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini had earlier given an undertaking to the Supreme Court that the naval guards would return to India by March 22 after voting in national elections there, but on March 11 Italy informed India that the naval guards would not be sent back, setting off a diplomatic row.

The naval guards, posted aboard oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie on security duty, had on February 15, 2012, opened fire at a fishing boat off the coast of Kerala, suspecting that the boat carried pirates. Two fishermen, Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were killed in the firing.

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Naval guards issue: Kerala CM thanks Supreme Court, Manmohan Singh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Welcoming Italy's decision to send back naval guards charged with the killing of two fishermen, Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy on Friday said the development clearly established the fact that no country can question the sovereignty of India.

Making a statement in the assembly, Chandy, whose Congress-led UDF government came under attack from the LDF opposition over the earlier decision of Italy not to send back the naval guards, said the Supreme Court order restraining the Italian ambassador from leaving the country was a rare action.

"I am taking this opportunity to express gratitude to the Supreme Court, the Centre and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the firm stand they took on the issue," he said.

Referring to the notice for adjournment moved earlier this week in the assembly by Opposition blaming the Centre and the state governments for letting the naval guards leave the country, Chandy said, "Opposition even dragged the name of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi into the matter".

He recalled that on that day itself he, after talking to the Prime Minister, declared that the naval guards would be brought back to face trial.

"The Prime Minister had assured that diplomatic route would be used to bring the naval guards back," he said, adding "the Centre was also of the view that diplomatic immunity was not a mechanism to challenge the sovereignty and judiciary of a country".

The Supreme Court had on February 22 allowed the naval guards of Enrica Lexie ship Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girnone to go to Italy for four weeks to vote in election in their country based on the assurance of the Italian Ambassador that they would return to India in the stipulated time.

However, last week, Italy informed India that the naval guards, charged with the murder of two fishermen off Kollam coast near here in February 2012, would not return to India to face trial, triggering protests and outrage in the state.

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