Bhutan King meets Advani

      New Delhi: Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk today met BJP president and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani in New Delhi. Details of the talks between the two leaders could not be known. Wangchuk, who is on a six-day visit, earlier met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Bhutan forces had attacked a string of anti-India rebel camps in the south of the small Himalayan kingdom in December 2003 as Indian troops sealed their 380-km long border to cut off the lines of retreat. Hundreds of the rebels, mostly from the three outlawed groups-- ULFA, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) -- fighting for separate homeland in northeastern, had been killed and a number of them sneaked into India.

Asia's biggest cattle fair gets underway in Bihar (Go To Top)

      Sonepur (Bihar): A large number of farmers and cattle sellers today arrived in Sonepur town in Bihar for the month-long animal fair. Dubbed as Asia's biggest animal fair, the event is held annually after Kartik Poornima. For centuries, the fair has catered to the agricultural needs of thousands of people. Any breed of domestic animal can be bought and sold at the Sonepur fair held nearly 40 km from Patna. The place had become a centre for animal trade in the 4th century B.C. Chandragupta Maurya, the Indian emperor who ruled the country from Patna, erstwhile Pataliputra, bought elephants and horses for his army from Sonepur. With the royal era gone, the Sonepur fair has lost its past glory. Besides the elephants and horses, all sots of cattle -- mules, dogs, monkeys -- and even birds are an integral part of the fair. With trade in elephants banned at Sonepur they are only brought by their owners for the holy bath and worship. "We bring the elephants to the fair for people to look at them, worship but not for sale. We are also rearing elephants for worshipping only," said. An estimated 40,000 animals have been put for sale at the fair. Traders say this is the best platform for their animals where they get a good price. "I have got three horses in the fair. There are horses varying from 3,000-1,00,000 rupees. Traders from abroad come here and buy these horses at a good price," said Ram Swaroop, a horse seller. Kedranath Thakur, a cow seller, said: "I sell my cows for 60,000- 65,000 rupees per cow. I am already getting 60,000 rupees."

I'm waiting for Musharraf's apology: Zardari (Go To Top)

     Karachi: Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto, has said that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf must apologise to him for maintaining false corruption allegations against him and assuring that he remained behind bars. Zardari was recently released from jail after eight years. He said that former premier Nawaz Sharif, who had initially levelled the corruption charges against him and put him behind the bars, had apologised and now he was waiting for Musharraf to tender an apology. According to the Daily Times, Zardari said: "We were persecuted and wronged. One person (read Sharif) has apologised and I accepted his apology. I am waiting for the second apology (from Musharraf)."

     Meanwhile, Zxardari's son and daughter, Bilawal and Asifa, respectively, met him yesterday and flew off to Dubai. Some of their close family members were present on the occasion. After his release earlier last week, Zardari has been kept at his Bilawal House and strict security arrangements have been made around his palatial residence.

`RAW agent' arrested in Pak (Go To Top)

      Lahore: Pakistani police have claimed to have arrested a Bangladeshi national from Lahore who was operating in the city for India's intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Muhammad Saleem was nabbed from his rented house in Bhati Gate area late on Friday night, the Daily Times reported today, According to the paper, Saleem lived in the house of one Muhammad Nadeem, resident of 1425/A Beery Wali Gali Bazaar Sathan since late October. Recently he paid the house rent of Rs 5000 partly in Pakistani currency and the remaining in Indian currency. His landlord contacted a moneychanger to exchange the Indian currency. But, the moneychanger detained him at his office and informed the police. Suspecting him to be a RAW agent, the local police arrested Saleem. Quoting sources, the paper said that Saleem had set up a jewellery workshop on the premises. It added that Saleem was shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.

2nd Test's first day: SA 227/5 (Go To Top)

     Kolkata: The Proteas were at 227 for five wickets at the end of the first day's play of the second Test against India at Kolkata today. The highlight of the day's play was Jacques Kallis' magnificent century, his 17th. Kallis was playing on 103 with Zender de Bruyn (15) as play was stopped six overs early due to bad light. The hosts took two quick wickets as the match started and the visitors were 60/2 at lunch. Both the openers, skipper Graeme Smith and Andrew Hall, were caught behind once at Irfan Pathan's delivery, and the other at Zahir Khan's. Irfan Pathan claimed two more wickets in the final session. Hasim Amla was bowled for 24 as Boeta Dippenaar was caught behind for a single.