Asia

Normalcy returns to violence-hit Assam districts

AssamGuwahati, Oct 07: The situation in violence-hit areas of Assam remained calm on Tuesday with no overnight incidents reported.

Assam Government spokesman and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the situation is fast returning to normal with security forces able to quell the clashes although curfew and shoot-at-sight orders are continuing.

An estimated 8,000 police, army and paramilitary troops were deployed in Udalguri, Darrang, Baska, and Chirang district of Assam after violence broke out on Friday between tribal Bodos and Muslim migrant settlers.

Indian envoy in Oman urges NRIs to donate for flood-ravaged Bihar, UP, Orissa

Muscat, Oct 7: The members of the Indian community in Oman have been urged upon by the Indian envoy here Anil Wadhwa to donate a day's salary to help the flood-stricken people of India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, reported the Gulf News.

The Indian envoy made the appeal while addressing members of the Indian community at an open house held at the mission’s premises to celebrate Eid al Fitr.

Meanwhile, the Indian Social Club (ISC), under the aegis of the Indian Embassy, has begun a charity drive to raise funds for the flood victims in Bihar and will hold a fund-raising dinner on the Embassy premises on October 11, added the paper.

Asian stocks plunge as global financial crisis spreads to Europe

Tokyo  - Asian stocks plunge as global financial crisis spreads to EuropeAsian stocks nosedived throughout the region Monday as investors feared the US bail-out would fall far short of resolving the financial crisis that has also spread to Europe.

Stocks in Tokyo plunged to their lowest levels in five years on worries about the deepening global crisis despite the US Congress' approval of a 700-billion-dollar Wall Street bail-out.

Peace in West Asia to dominate India-Palestine talks on Monday

US strikes in Pak tribal areas kill 21

North WaziristanPeshawar, Oct 4: United States air strikes on three villages in North Waziristan have killed at least 21 people and wounded several others.

Intelligence officials said a pilotless drone aircraft launched an attack on the village of Mohammad Khel, 30 kilometres west of Miranshah, North Waziristan’s main urban centre, at around 9:30 p. m. on Friday.

One intelligence official said at least 12 people had been killed in the attack, including some foreigners.

However, Taliban sources in the area said that eight people were killed and seven were wounded.

NATO does not rule out talks with Taliban to bring about peace in Afghanistan

General David McKiernanWashington, Oct 2: General David McKiernan, the commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, has reportedly not ruled out holding talks with the Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar for ensuring peace in the country. He also called for enlisting tribes to help achieving the desired objective.

He said that the US-led coalition needed more troops for what, according to him, was increasingly a “tough fight” in eastern and southern Afghanistan.

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