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Maoists bomb Indian firm in Nepal

           Kathmandu: Maoist rebels bombed an Indian subsidiary cosmetic company in Nepal's Makawanpur district today. A group of 15 rebels exploded three bombs at the factory of Nepal Lever, a joint venture company of Hindustan Lever, situated at Hetauda, 150 km south of Kathmandu. No one was injured in the blast, which caused heavy damage to the company, according to sources at the Indian Embassy here. The attack came a day after the Maoists affiliated trade union issued a statement saying that they would not attack any multinational companies except US joint ventures.

PM indisposed, cancels engagements for two days

          New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has cancelled all his public engagements for the weekend, as he is indisposed with viral fever. An official release said here that Singh has been advised complete rest for at least two days by his personal physician. "Consequently, all his appointments and public engagements for today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday) have been cancelled," the release said.

Weeklong truckers strike ends (Go To Top)

          New Delhi: The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has called off their weaklong-old truckers strike after reaching an agreement with the government on the issue of service tax and various other demands. The two sides have decided to form a committee to ensure that the truckers do not have to pay the 10 per cent service tax levied on freight booking agents. Announcing the decision, AIMTC president B S Dhumal told reporters that the committee, which would include representatives of the truckers and the government and they would look into the issues of service tax and tax deduction at source. The government will also make rules to make clear that truck operators from paying or collecting service tax. The committee will submit its report on the matter within two months. Meanwhile, the government has also agreed to release all union leaders who were held under ESMA during the strike. The breakthrough wasn't easy. The meeting between the Revenue Secretary, Vineeta Rai and the AIMTC went on till the early hours of this morning. What tipped the scales was the intervention of senior Left leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet. "Surjeet spoke to Finance Minister P Chidambaram, and then, he told us to sign an agreement, as this was the only way to resolve the issue," said Dhumal. As a face saver, the government has also agreed to examine some of the other demands put forward by the truckers, including a re- look on scrapping of fifteen-year-old vehicles and increased security on national highways.

Gegong Apang returns to Congress fold (Go To Top)

         New Delhi: In a major jolt to the opposition BJP ahead of assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, former state CM Gegong Apang and his cabinet colleagues rejoined the Congress party today. AICC Media department chairperson Girija Vyas and CWC member Ramesh Chennithala, who is in-charge of party affairs of Arunachal Pradesh, welcomed Apang and his ministerial colleagues. The state's longest serving Chief Minister announced his decision to quit the BJP and rejoin Congress at a news conference at the AICC headquarters. Predictably, he used the occasion to lash out at the previous NDA regime, claiming that it had not fulfilled any of its development-related promises for Arunachal Pradesh. Apang also expressed confidence about the Congress emerging victorious in the forthcoming Assembly polls. "We would like to clarify that there would be no groups or factions in Arunachal Pradesh Congress as our only leader is Sonia Gandhi under whose direction and guidance we will all work for the victory," he maintained.

Curfew lifted in three Maharashtra towns (Go To Top)

          Mumbai: Curfew has been lifted in three Marathwada towns a day after 18 people were injured in twin blasts near two mosques. The order to lift the curfew from the towns of Jalna, Parbhani and Purna was approved by Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil, who said that the situation in these areas was under control. Patil, however, said that security would continue to be deployed in a vigilant state in spots identified as sensitive. So far, 60 people have been arrested in connection with Friday's violence.

4 killed AP festival stampede (Go To Top)

          Hyderabad: At least four persons, including two women and a boy, were killed and 11 were injured in a stampede at Krishnaveni ghat near Krishna barrage in Andhra Pradesh on the opening day of the 12-day Krishna Pushkaram festival today. A heavy rush of devotees wanting to bathe near the banks of the river caused the stampede, official sources said.

Shiv Sainiks attack Marathi daily editor again (Go To Top)

          Pune: Activists of the Shiv Sena have grievously injured Nikhil Wagle, the editor of the Marathi daily Apla Mahanagar, in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district. A report received here from Malvan said that Wagle was attacked around 7.45 a.m. today and has been injured below the eye and on his stomach. Wagle was assaulted for criticising senior party leader Narayan Rane.

Telgi scam accused Sawant released on bail (Go To Top)

          Pune: Former Deputy Commissioner of Police Pradeep Sawant, one of the accused in the Telgi stamp paper scam, was released from Yerwada Central Prison here after being granted bail by the Mumbai High Court. Sawant, who was arrested in January this year, was released from the prison at around 9 a.m., jail sources said. Sawant was arrested by the Special Investigation Team of Maharashtra Police and charged under various sections of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

Raikia town tense after Hindu fanatics attack church (Go To Top)

        Raikia (Orissa): Shops remained shut and streets deserted in Raikia town, on Saturday after an alleged Hindu mob ransacked a church, broke a statue of virgin Mary and injured seven people. Minor clashes took place between Orissa's Christians and dominant-Hindu community since Thursday night when the church in Raikia town, 600 km from Bhubaneshwar, was attacked. Christians say they are being targeted for being a minority and the provincial authorities were also biased. "As I said there is always room for tension as both strong communities are there. In the antecedants of what happened in 1990s when churches were burnt down, at that time a swami was having rath yatra, entire police protection was for him and not for the Christians whose churches were demolished," said Raphel Cheenath, archbishop of the church. Locals say increasing conversion of impoverished tribals and villagers by Christian missionaries, luring them with money and promises of jobs, had provoked the radical Hindus. "The priest of this district is trying to attract tribals to convert. We believe that whatever is happening is due to this father," Ratat, a Hindu resident said. Police reinforcements were sent in to stop the tension from aggravating. "We are watching the situation, it is under control. Police platoons are taking out flag march across the town. We have registered a case and neccessary action is being taken," B.K Dhal, the district collector said.

Shaukat Aziz yakes charge as Pak's 23rd PM (Go To Top)

          Islamabad: Pakistan's former Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz today formally took over as the country's 23rd Prime Minister, when he was administered the oath of office by President Pervez Musharraf at the Presidential Palace here. Top government and military officials and lawmakers of the ruling PML (Q) alliance attended the simple ceremony. Official sources said that the new cabinet would be sworn in on September 1. Aziz, who was pitted against Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Javed Hashmi for the post, had comfortably secured a majority vote in the 342-member National Assembly yesterday. Hashmi is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence on alleged charges of defamation.

Pak to be made a truly Islamic state: Shaukat Aziz (Go To Top)

          Islamabad: Pakistan's 23rd Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that it will be his endeavour to make the country "truly Islamic" in letter and spirit. "Our government will reflect the dream and vision of our beloved Qauid-e-Azam (Mohammad Ali Jinnah). It will ensure security of life and property and also ensure self-respect and freedom," the Daily Times quoted Aziz as saying in the National Assembly after his election as Prime Minister. "I firmly believe in the ideology of Pakistan. Our government will strive to incorporate Islamic values in society," he added. "We will cement our ties with our neighbours, regional and Islamic states and big powers," he said, and added that the dialogue process with India would continue with an open mind.

           Aziz said that Pakistan's nuclear program will be accorded priority status, and continuous efforts will be made to improve and strengthen it. "We are fully aware that Pakistan's nuclear programme is central to our national defence and with this in view this programme would not only continue but also further refined," The News further quoted him as saying.

Shaukat Aziz gets vote of confidence (Go To Top)

         Islamabad: Newly-elected known as finance wizard Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has secured vote of confidence form the national assembly. 191 members confided in him while the opposition boycotted the proceedings. Earlier, the newly elected prime minister took the oath for his office. Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf in a brilliant ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr administered the oath to Aziz. President of the Pakistan Muslim League and former Prime Minister Chaudry Shujaat Hussain, former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Chairman Senate and members of the National Assembly, Senators along with important political personalities, international diplomats and civil and military officials were present in the ceremony.

Chinese warplanes and destroyers for Pak Navy (Go To Top)

         Karachi: Chinese destroyers and warplanes will be inducted into the Pakistan Navy soon, said Rear Admiral Saleem Khalid, the Flag Officer Sea Training. The Daily Times quoted him as also saying that the Navy must equip itself with the latest technology. Therefore, he added, efforts were made to keep pace with the latest technological advances. "We are a peace-loving nation, but at the same time we have to ensure minimum deterrence so that no one can impose war on us," he said.

Colin Powell cancels trip to Athens (Go To Top)

        Washington: US Secretary of State Colin Powell has cancelled plans to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens. "Secretary of State Colin Powell informed Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis that, due to the press of business in Washington, the Secretary would not be able to travel to Athens to attend the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games," spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement. Powell was to have been in Greece from Saturday to Monday to attend Sunday's Olympic closing ceremonies and to hold talks with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.