BSE Sensex up 1.3 pct; Ambanis’ firms rally

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The BSE Sensex rallied more than 1 percent on Monday, with companies controlled by the billionaire Ambani brothers among the big gainers after they moved towards resolving a long-running strife.

Both the groups said they aim to reach a conclusion soon for a gas supply agreement between Reliance Industries and Reliance Natural Resources that had been at the heart of their dispute.

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries, which has the highest weight on the BSE Sensex climbed 3.6 percent.

Reliance Natural Resources, controlled by Anil Ambani, jumped 21 percent while other group companies Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Communications rose 7 percent and 5.8 percent respectively.

The benchmark, which fell 3.2 percent last week, is down 4.6 percent so far this year and traders were uncertain about the outlook.

“In the near term, the outlook for Indian market remains uncertain,” said Anish Marfatia, head of sales trading at Avendus Securities. “We are still not out of the woods. The Europe and China overhang remains.”

Foreign funds have pulled out around $1.5 billion from Indian equities so far this month, which has been a drag for the market.

In the broader market, gainers were four times the number of losers on volume of 101 million shares.

The 50-share NSE index was up 1.3 percent at 4,995.75.

STOCKS ON THE MOVE

* Metal makers Sterlite Industries, Hindalco and Tata Steel rose between 1.7-2.3 percent, as Shanghai copper and aluminium prices rallied.

* Godrej Consumer Products was up 3.2 percent at 331 rupees after the personal care products maker said on Sunday it would buy South America-based unlisted hair care products maker Issue Group.

MAIN TOP 3 BY VOLUME

* Reliance Natural Resources on 8.9 million shares

* Adani Enterprises on 5.3 million shares

* Bank of Rajasthan on 2.5 million shares

(Reporting by Ami Shah; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)

(For more business news on Reuters Money visit http://www.reutersmoney.in)

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Pak players may have deliberately ‘tanked’ Sydney Test: ICC anti-corruption chief

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 21 (ANI): A top official of the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption bureau has said that he believes that Pakistani players may have deliberately ‘underperformed’ during the Sydney Test of their winless tour DownUnder in January-February.

Lord Condon, chief of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU), said that Pakistan’s stunning 36-run loss to Australia in the Sydney Test was subject of a “live investigation” by the anti-corruption authority.

“It is a match and series that worried us, we spent a lot of time talking to the players and PCB. The challenge is finding where is the solid fact,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Condon, as saying.

“What you have there is a lot of strife within the team and Pakistan politics with rivals camps making allegations,” he added.

However, PCB chief Ijaz Butt has denied any foul play during the match in question.

“The Australian tour chapter is now closed and we have finished our inquiry. We have found no evidence of any match-fixing during the tour,” Butt said.

Referring to wicket keeper Kamran Akmal’s shoddy show during the Sydney Test, in which he dropped three easy catches and missed a straightforward run out chance, Condon said his performance is particularly being investigated.

“What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to do down captains or potential captains. Or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix,” The Daily Times quoted Condon, as saying.

Condon, however, pointed that it was difficult to completely eradicate the menace of match fixing.

“My prediction is you will never totally eradicate it from cricket. There will always be that temptation. But we had a cadre of modern players who know the risks and are playing for the right reasons,” he said. (ANI)

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Pak’s stunning defeat in Sydney Test under ICC’s anti-match fixing unit’s scanner

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21 (ANI): Pakistan’s strikingly below par performance during the Australia tour in January-February is now under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption unit’s scanner.

Pakistan had lost the Sydney Test by 36-runs despite taking a handsome lead in the first innings, and it is this loss which has caught the the ICC’s attention.

Chairman of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) Lord Condon confirmed that investigations were on to probe the alleged involvement of some of the Pakistani cricketers in the scandal.

“That has been an ongoing investigation since the time.It is a match and series that worried us, we spent a lot of time talking to the players and PCB. The challenge is finding where is the solid fact,” Condon said during a press conference here.

“What you have there is a lot of strife within the team and Pakistan politics with rivals camps making allegations. We are satisfied that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistan point of view. The dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, to maybe players potentially underperforming deliberately,” he added.

Referring to wicket keeper Kamran Akmal’s shoddy show during the Sydney Test, in which he dropped three easy catches and missed a straightforward run out chance, Condon said his performance is particularly being investigated.

“What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to do down captains or potential captains. Or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix,” The Daily Times quoted Condon, as saying.

Condon, however, pointed that it was difficult to completely eradicate the menace of match fixing.

“My prediction is you will never totally eradicate it from cricket. There will always be that temptation. But we had a cadre of modern players who know the risks and are playing for the right reasons,” he said. (ANI)

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SWAGs bare all to help war heroes

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, April 21 (ANI): Service Wives and Girlfriends (SWAGs) have raised 26,000pounds through their racy charity calendar to help injured war heroes and women wounded in strife-torn Afghanistan and Iraq.

The effort saw 50 wives and girlfriends of men from the three Armed Services, stripping off to be snapped at bases and training centres in Hampshire.

However, they were careful enough to save their modesty by strategically placing pieces of military equipment.

Kelly Monk, 20, whose boyfriend Andrew Mason, 21, serves in the 2nd Battalion the Princess of Wales”s Regiment, came up with the idea for the shoot.

“I got together with Andrew”s sister, Sam, to do the shoot and it just snowballed from there,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Kelly, as saying

She added: “We were nervous at first, but then we really started enjoying it and everyone had a laugh. My boyfriend is fine with it.

“He knows that it”s for a good cause.”

Lisa Fellows-Patel, 43, said: “An old schoolfriend is in the Army and was posted to Afghanistan.

“I felt the only way I could truly support him from home was to do charity work for Help For Heroes and as I model for fun a girlfriend suggested I help with the calendar.”

“The night before, I was extremely nervous but told myself that if the armed forces are overseas fighting on my behalf I would have the courage to get naked and do my bit,” she added. (ANI)

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Yemen says Shi’ite rebels kill accused collaborator

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Yemeni Shi’ite rebels shot dead an accused government collaborator in their war with Sanaa, the interior ministry said on Sunday, in one of the first signs of violence since a truce deal to end the northern insurgency.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared the war over on March 19 following a February truce with northern rebels whose fight drew in neighbouring oil exporter Saudi Arabia last year, and analysts have said the truce appeared to be holding.

The Interior Ministry said that some of the rebels, who have fought the government on and off since 2004, had opened fire on two men in the Saada region, where most of the fighting took place. One died while the other was in critical condition.

“Houthi rebels targeted the two young men as revenge for cooperating with the government during the war on Houthi rebel strife in the Saada province,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement on its web site.

Yemen, struggling to stabilise a fractious country strategically located next door to the world’s largest oil exporter, jumped to the forefront of Western security concerns after al Qaeda’s Yemen-based regional arm claimed responsibility for an attempted December attack on a U.S.-bound plane.

Western countries and Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda is exploiting the instability on multiple fronts in Yemen to recruit and train militants for attacks in the region and beyond.

Analysts say the truce deal between the government and northern rebels was unlikely to last as it does not address rebel complaints of discrimination by Sanaa. Previous truces have not lasted.

A member of a committee overseeing the truce said he did not expect violence to spread after the shooting, adding that it would be addressing revenge cases with a view toward containing any feuds.

“The incident was contained, and there is no fear of an outbreak of acts of violence. We will be resolving cases of revenge,” the committee member said.

Yemen, in addition to its conflict in the north that has displaced 250,000 people, is also trying to contain a separatist movement in the south that has escalated in recent weeks, leaving a trail of dead and wounded and raising fears of a new insurgency even as violence in the north fades.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Cynthia Johnston)

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Yemen says Shi’ite rebels kill accused collaborator

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Yemen said on Sunday it arrested two Europeans for weapons training in the center of the country, while Shi’ite rebels shot dead an accused government collaborator in their war with Sanaa.

World

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that one of the Europeans had an Arabic name and the other was a non-Arab. The two were 24 years old but the ministry did not specify which country they were from.

“Security forces in Dhamar province arrested two foreigners carrying the nationality of one of the European countries for practicing weapons firing,” the statement said.

Yemen, struggling to stabilize a fractious country strategically located next door to Saudi Arabia, jumped to the forefront of Western security concerns after al Qaeda’s Yemen-based regional arm claimed responsibility for an attempted December attack on a U.S.-bound plane.

Western countries and Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda is exploiting the instability in Yemen to recruit and train militants for attacks in the region and beyond.

The killing of the government collaborator was one of the first signs of violence since a February truce deal between the government and northern rebels whose fight drew in neighboring oil exporter Saudi Arabia last year.

The Interior Ministry said that some of the rebels, who have fought the government on and off since 2004, had opened fire on two men in the Saada region, where most of the fighting took place. One died while the other was in critical condition.

“Houthi rebels targeted the two young men as revenge for cooperating with the government during the war on Houthi rebel strife in the Saada province,” the Interior Ministry said.

Analysts say the truce was unlikely to last as it does not address rebel complaints of discrimination by Sanaa.

A member of a committee overseeing the truce said he did not expect violence to spread after the shooting, adding that it would be addressing revenge cases to help contain any feuds.

“The incident was contained, and there is no fear of an outbreak of acts of violence. We will be resolving cases of revenge,” the committee member said.

Separately a judicial source told Reuters on Sunday that a security court sentenced a former Yemeni ambassador to Mauritania to five years in prison for violating national unity and inciting armed rebellion in the south of the country.

Yemen, in addition to its conflict in the north that has displaced 250,000 people, is trying to contain a separatist movement in the south that has escalated in recent weeks, leaving a trail of dead and wounded and raising fears of a new insurgency even as violence in the north fades.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari and Jason Benham; Editing by Diana Abdallah)

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Kerala church in hosts iftar party

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kottayam (Kerala), Sep 18 (ANI): An ancient church in Kerala became the perfect setting for communal harmony, hosting an iftar party on Thursday.

The iftar was organised in St. Mary’s Forane church Athirampuzha.

People from all faiths took part in the iftar that aimed to spread the message of love.

“The world is witnessing communal divide. Everyone should live as the children of the same parents. Communal strife will lead to destruction of the world order,” said Kunju Mohammad, Muslim cleric at nearby Athirampusha mosque.

Father Mani Puthyidam, parish priest at Athirampuzha church said, “It’s easy to divide but difficult to unite. The aim of this community iftar is to spread the message of love and brotherhood in this,” said Puthyidam.

T. S Gopinanthan Nair, secretary of Nair Service Society, a Hindu outfit, termed the iftar as a good example of communal harmony.

“We want to spread the message of love and unity in this place, Athirampuzha is a classic example of communal harmony,” Nair added. (ANI)

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As westerners flee, Chinese workers land in droves in turbulent Pakistan

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.11 (ANI): Amid the exodus of foreign officials from Pakistan due to security fears, China has rather increased its involvement in the strife torn country.

According to an estimate the number of Chinese engineers has shot up dramatically to 10,000 in 2009 from 3000 in 2008.

Various Chinese companies are working on over 120 projects in different sectors across Pakistan.

Beijing’s focus is on the Gilgit-Baltistan region where it is involved in the construction of a 750-kilometer railway track linking the two countries, The Asia Times Online reports.

China’s increasing interest in Pakistan was highlighted recently when during a press conference Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Lou Zhaohui, stressed that Beijing was committed to complete all projects in Pakistan undertaken by it.

“A number of foreigners have left Pakistan, but we are committed to complete all the projects on which Chinese are working,” Zhaohui said.

Zhaohui also informed that Beijing has provided one billion dollars to Islamabad to enable it to fight the sagging economy and boost its foreign reserves.

“Pakistan is the only country in the world to which China has given such a huge amount on very low interest rate,” he said. (ANI)

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Dalai Lama addressing four-day congregation in Leh

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Leh, Aug.23 (ANI): The Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, is delivering religious sermons on Bodhisattva, attended by thousands of devotees at a four-day congregation here.

Thousands of Buddhists monks are attending a four-day religious congregation, which commenced on Saturday.

In his inaugural sermon, the Dalai Lama highlighted the basic principles of Buddhism, which he termed as a faith that stands for wisdom, compassion, peace and brotherhood.

He underlined the importance of spiritual development of mankind particularly in the present time.

There has to be openness, truth and compassion, he added, saying the strife-torn world needs the message of peace and progress now more than ever before, the Dalai Lama asserted.

The participants feel that the presence of the Dalai Lama in the Buddhist majority Leh was a boon for the region.

“The people here are fortunate to listen to the sermons delivered by the Dalai Lama. He gives sermon in simple language and people easily understand him. His coming to this place itself is a great blessing for us,” said Tsewang Rigzen, a Buddhist monk.

A good number of foreigners and also tourists are attending the congregation. (ANI)

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‘I really think Ali feared me’, says ‘Smoking’ Joe Frazier

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug 23 (ANI): Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Frazier, who is famous for his trilogy of Heavyweight Championship fights with Muhammad Ali, has said that he still retains a disdain for the treatment he received from Ali.

Frazier, who for a decade had impaired vision in his left eye, could not see after Ali punched his right eye closed.

The history between the pair, which is featured in a DVD released this week, demonstrates the depth of the feud, highlighted by Ali’s verbal assaults on race and religious grounds.

“Ali was nervous and he taunted me, saying I was ugly and all sorts of things. But, I think that was his way of building himself up, by running off at the mouth,” The Herald Sun quotes Frazier, as saying.

“He had a lot of respect for me. And, I think he feared I could beat him. So, he used his tongue before the fights to try to upset me and to get his own adrenaline going. I really think he feared me,” he added.

Despite protests, Frazier’s corner threw in the towel before the 15th round, which meant that Frazier had lost the rematch. Frazier was never again the force he used to be and accepts his place in history, aware that a few seconds between rounds 14 and 15 in Manila could have changed the world’s perception of his talents.

“You have corners and trainers and managers who care. I had impaired vision in my left eye and I was struggling to see out of the other. I didn’t hold anything against anybody for the fight being stopped,” Frazier said.

“I would have been in real trouble if both my eyes closed. But, to learn Ali was ready to quit at the same time my corner called an end to the fight was a bit disappointing. He ended up in more physical strife than me, but he got the verdict and all the accolades that go with winners,” he added.

The 65-year-old further said that all that happened in “The Thrilla in Manilla” fight is history now and everyone must move on.

“I am at peace with the world. I could never understand why he went on at the mouth about so many things. I’ve always believed it doesn’t matter what colour your skin is. I couldn’t figure out what he was on about. I can only hope he asks the Lord for forgiveness for the wrongs he did me,” Frazier said. (ANI)

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Paryushan Parva | Paryushan | Sacred Space: Paryushan Parva, Festival of Fasting

August 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Paryushan Parva | Paryushan | Sacred Space: Paryushan Parva, Festival of Fasting

The Paryushan Parva is celebrated every year by members of the Jain community for self-purification and uplift by adhering to the 10 universal virtues in practical life. This is meant to lead adherents on the right path, far from the mad strife for material prosperity, which ultimately leads the follower to his true destination salvation.

To read entire article visit –

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinion/edit-page/Sacred-Space-Paryushan-Parva-Festival-of-Fasting/articleshow/4899260.cms

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Prime Minister sends “Chadar” at Ajmer Sharif shrine

June 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ajmer, June 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent a “Chadar” or, the holy cloth as his offering at the revered shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer Sharif on Sunday.

Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Prithviraj Chavan and Minister of State Sachin Pilot presented the sacred cloth on Prime Minister’s behalf on the shrine.

Dr. Singh in a message stated that the teachings of the great Khwaja is more relevant in today’s strife torn world.

“He equated feeding the hungry, redressing the aggrieved and helping the distressed, to prayers…the legacy of the great Khwaja is more relevant in today’s strife torn world, than ever before,” said Chavan read out from PM’s message.

The Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti is hosting the religious fair or “Urs” marking the 797th death anniversary of the Sufi saint that began on Friday (June 26).

“Urs”, as the congregation is called in Urdu, marks the death anniversary of Moin-ud-din Chisti who is popularly called “Garib Nawaz”, or the “messiah of the poor”.

Millions of devotees from all across the world visit the saint’s shrine during the Urs ceremony. The shrine also attracts devotees from Pakistan.

Moin-ud-din Chisti is believed to have been born in 1142 AD. Since his ancestors belonged to a town named Chisti, people began calling him by that name.

Chisti, who preached tolerance and unity of all religions, died in Ajmer where his tomb has become a shrine for millions of people.

In 1236 AD, the saint entered his cell to pray in seclusion for six days, at the end of which he died. Since then Urs has been celebrated for six days every year.

It is believed that praying at the tomb of the saint fulfils a person’s wishes.

Devotees visiting the shrine offer fresh flowers as a symbol of their devotion. Some even go up to the extent of offering large amounts of money and expensive jewels. (ANI)

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Suspected Zemi Naga men set ablaze 21 Dimasa houses in Assam

June 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

North Cachar Hills (Assam), June 20 (ANI): Suspected Zemi Naga men fired at a group of Dimasa tribe and set ablaze 21 houses in Assam’s strife-torn North Cachar Hills district on Saturday.

The latest incident took place five days after the killing of 15 people in the district.

According to the police, the incident took place when some inhabitants, who had abandoned their huts due to ethnic clashes, returned to take stock of cattle and other possessions at Dibal Wasling Dimasa village, they were fired upon by suspected Zemi Naga tribes and their houses set ablaze.

Police officials said at least 21 houses in the village were gutted in the arson.

It is believed that the attack has been carried out in retaliation to the killing of 15 Zemi Naga tribals, including eight children, and burning down of more than 50 houses at Mechidui, about 23 km from the district headquarters of Haflong, on 16th June, Police said.

Earlier on June eight and 10th June, two Dimasa-inhabitated villages were attacked by suspected Zemi Nagas where nearly 50 houses were set ablaze.

A number of persons have died due to the ongoing clash between the rival Dimasa and Zemi Naga tribes since April last. (ANI)

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Centre provides 2,500 paramilitary personnel of central forces to Punjab

May 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 26 (ANI): The Centre has provided 2500 personnel of para military forces to Punjab in order to bring the strife-torn situation to normalcy. It has also assured the State of more assistance if required.

“We have rushed 25 companies of CRPF, BSF and RPF to help the Punjab government in bringing peace into the violence-hit areas,” a Home Ministry official said.

The Home Ministry is in constant touch with the state government and it is regularly monitoring the condition.

“It is improving and things are settling down now,” the official added.

Meanwhile, curfew has been lifted from Ludhiana while in other areas including Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur it has been relaxed further, but security forces are maintaining a strict vigil all over the state.

The rail traffic has been restored in the state including the local trains while two special trains have left from Jammu to Delhi to clear the backlog of passengers who were stranded there ue to disruption in rail traffic. (ANI)

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Cricket South Africa CEO lauds success of IPL-Two

May 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Johannesburg, May 26 (ANI): Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola has declared the DLF Indian Premier League a resounding success, saying all parties should feel proud of the collective effort that saw the IPL moved from India to South Africa at short notice.

Speaking after the Deccan Chargers beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore by six runs in the final at the Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium on Sunday night, Majola said: “CSA’s main reason for taking on the challenge of hosting the IPL was to assist an ICC member country who had problems hosting a major tournament for reasons beyond its control.

“We knew that CSA had the climate, facilities, know-how and a cricket-loving public to back up the successful hosting of this second IPL tournament even at this short notice. To see it all come together with a full house at the Liberty Life Wanderers Stadium for the final was incredible.”

“Before our national elections last month, South Africa was experiencing a lot of doom and gloom politically and economically, and the IPL tournament lifted spirits enormously. Our tourist industry also got an extra bite of the cherry against the negative world travel trend. CSA must add its warmest gratitude to the South African Government which gave its wholehearted support to CSA hosting this prestigious tournament right from the start.”

“This endorsement made a big difference between us getting the final nod from the BCCI and the IPL organisers to host the tournament. The Government effort throughout was superb, right from the Presidency to every level of support service that was needed to make this such a huge success.

“It also showed the world that South Africa was ready and able to do a great job in hosting FIFA’s two most important events: the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“We also think it had a positive impact on the holding of India’s month-long and peaceful elections on a sub-continent fraught with internecine strife.

“The tournament also heightened interest in cricket worldwide. Certainly, at home it added even more value to cricket following the Proteas’ most successful season and the eventful tours in and out of Australia.

“It has given a number of young South African cricketers a chance to play top level cricket against, and with, many of the world’s greatest stars. This will give them huge confidence going into the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 in England.

“Finally, the 2009 IPL has re-confirmed South Africa as a wonderful host to major sporting events, and a home for the world’s rainbow cultures. It has also brought in unexpected and very welcome funds for the further development of South African cricket, mainly in previously disadvantaged communities.

“Internationally, it has changed the landscape of world cricket.

Properly handled, the IPL concept will bring about the real globalization of the sport for the first time. This should enable the longer forms of cricket to prosper, but only if they are made to be publicly attractive in the 21st century and beyond, Majola concluded.” (ANI)

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22000 refugees stream into strife-hit NWFP hospital

May 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mardan (NWFP, Pakistan), May 7 (ANI): Over 22,000 refugees have asked for help in the Mardan area of Pakistan’s strife-hit North West Frontier Province alone, and most of them in the past 10 days.

Thousands of people are reported to have queued up outside a hospital in Mardan, reports the New York Times.

They piled into the hospital courtyard, then into the hospital itself, moving down the hallways, sitting on the floors. It was mostly men who came but women did, too, nearly all of them lost and bewildered and wondering what fate awaited them next.

Most of these refugees are fleeing battles that are now unfolding across a 50-mile arc northwest of Islamabad, even as the army, following months of indecision, has begun waging offensives against Taliban militants.

Government officials here say that about 40,000 people have already left and that a half million might ultimately be forced to run.

Refugees besieged the Mardan Tuberculosis Hospital, built by Danish missionaries in 1907, on Wednesday when government officials declared it a place where refugees could sign up for food and other help. By the end of the day, over 2,000 people had entered the premises.

Most of the refugees wear the gazes of men who longer control their own lives

One refugee said that Muslims don’t have much problem with the Taliban enforcing Islam, but are angered when the militants cut the throats of policemen.

No one is ready to criticize the Taliban directly. There is a palpable sense of fear that pervades among the refugees.

Some of the refugees milling about the tuberculosis hospital have raised doubts about the agenda of the Pakistani Army. Some echo the view that the Pakistani Army, or at least elements of it, had not merely failed to combat the militants, but had colluded to make them stronger. (ANI)

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Obama’s options in strife torn Pakistan are limited

May 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 4 (ANI): President Barack Obama has only limited options for dealing with the crisis in Pakistan, as the anti-American feeling in the country is high, and US combat presence is prohibited, according to a leading US daily.

The United States is fighting Pakistan-based extremists by proxy in order to save the PPP-led Government.

President Obama and his National Security Council were told by US intelligence that neither a Taliban takeover nor a military coup was imminent and that the Pakistani nuclear arsenal was safe, The Washington Post reports.

Security in Pakistan was deteriorating rapidly, particularly in the mountains along the Afghan border that harbour al-Qaeda and the Taliban, intelligence chiefs reported, and there were signs that those groups were working with indigenous extremists in Pakistan’s populous Punjabi heartland.

The tools most readily at hand are money, weapons, and a mentoring relationship with Pakistan’s government and military that alternates between earnest advice and anxious criticism, the paper says.

The relationship between Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and the US has restrained, after reports surfaced that the Obama Administration was wooing former premier Nawaz Sharif, Zardari’s main rival.

“What are the Americans trying to do, micromanage our politics?” a senior Pakistani official said testily. “This is not South Vietnam.”

As Zardari arrives this week for his first official visit with Obama — part of a tripartite summit with Afghan President Hamid Karzai — the Obama Administration has asked Congress to quickly approve hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency military aid for Pakistan.

That money, and billions more over the next several years, is to come with new authority for the Defence Department to decide what to spend it on.

Obama has also backed a five-year 7.5 billion dollars economic assistance package and is resisting congressional efforts to impose strict conditions on any aid to Pakistan. (ANI)

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Fresh clashes in conflict-riven Madagascar

May 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Antananarivo – Fresh clashes have broken out in the strife- torn Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, following last month’s seizure of power by former Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina, media reports said Monday. After a military crackdown on protestors last week left seven demonstrators dead, a military personnel carrier was blown up on Sunday by Molotov cocktails.

This triggered explosions at the ammunitions store at the barracks outside the capital Antananarivo, which injured one soldier.

In the ensuing panic soldiers fired at random.

The violence is the latest incident in a months-long power struggle, in which Rajoelina with the help of the military ousted president Marc Ravalomanana in a transfer of power last month.

Ravalomanana went into exile after seven weeks of opposition protests over his increasingly authoritarian style and controversial spending

The protests left at least 100 dead.

Rajoelina, 34, was entrusted with power by the military but the international community refuses to recognize his leadership, saying the manner of his arrival to power was tantamount to a coup.(dpa)

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Chidambaram criticises Lankan Govt, LTTE

April 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu), April 23 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday said that despite repeated requests from India to end the conflict in the island nation, both Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government were not taking any action on the issue.

Talking to reporters after filing his nomination papers from the Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram said the Sri Lankan Tamils issue was a humanitarian one and there is an urgent need to protect their lives.

Concerned over the plight of civilians in the war-struck country, he said, “We have been making the demand continuously for many days. But both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government are not paying heed to our request.”

Chidambaram criticised the Sri Lankan Government for using the military as a solution to end the strife and said that the authorities are “more at fault” than the militants.

“The issue cannot be resolved by the Army. It has to be resolved through negotiations. The Tamils should be given equal respect, status and right. Tamil dominated one or two provinces should be made states with equal rights within the Sri Lankan federal set up,” he said.

When asked about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s demand to snap diplomatic ties with the Lankan Government if it does not end hostilities, he denied to give his views saying that it is a serious issue which cannot be discussed in a press meet.

Supporting today’s 12-hour strike in Chennai called by the DMK chief, Chidambaram said, “It is not against the Union Government or the Congress. It is for stopping the hostilities there in that country.” (ANI)

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Now, Pak religious party threatens to hit NATO supplies if drone strikes continue

April 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Landikotal, Apr. 20 (ANI): The Jamaat-e-Islami has threatened to disrupt supplies to the NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, if the United States continues with drone attacks in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas.

The warning was issued at a JeI public meeting, during which the participants took out a rally against drone strikes, the military operation in FATA, and the country’s cooperation with the US in its war on terror.

JeI’s FATA Deputy Secretary General Zarnoor Afridi argued that drone attacks in the FATA were violation of the Geneva Convention and basic human rights of the Tribal Area inhabitants, the Daily Times reports.

He said halting NATO supplies inside Pakistan would help press the US for stopping the drone attacks.

Criticizing the Pakistan Government for failing to protect public life and property in FATA, he urged the nation to protest against the drone strikes.

JeI’s Bajaur chief, Amir Sardar Khan, said it was shameful that the government had agreed to the killing of its people to please the US.

“Security forces have demolished villages and killed innocent people in Bajaur and other agencies to protect the US interest in the region. Drone strikes and military operation in Tribal Areas have compelled thousands of locals to migrate from troubled region,” he said.

The participants later unanimously passed a resolution threatening to disrupt NATO supplies inside Pakistan if drone attacks continued in FATA.

The resolution also demanded compensation for the people hit by strife in the Tribal Areas. (ANI)

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