Iranians let off
ISLAMABAD, Sept 3 (Reuters) — Afghanistan's Taliban Islamic militia freed five Iranian captives today and sent them to Pakistan, a Pakistan-based Afghan news service said. The Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) quoted a Taliban spokesman, Wakil Ahmad, as saying those released were three Iranian truck drivers arrested in northern Afghanistan last month during a Taliban sweep through the region, and two other Iranians captured earlier.

Bihar flood toll 255
PATNA, Sept 3 (PTI) — With seven more persons perishing, the toll due to floods has today risen to 255, worsening the overall situation in Bihar, official sources said. They said torrential rains lashed catchment areas of swollen rivers aggravating the situation as the surging waters of Kosi and Ganga entered Purnea and Katihar towns, while five more deaths were reported from Munger, two others were reported in Sitamarhi during the past 24 hours.

Plea against Prasar Bharati dismissed
NEW DELHI, Sept 3 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Prasar Bharati Ordinance and termed the petition devoid of "public interest". A Division Bench comprising Justice R.C. Lahoti and Justice C.K. Mahajan questioned petitioner's "bona fide" and said "the entire petition no where shows that it is concerned with the functioning of the Prasar Bharati. "A bare perusal of the petition shows that the petitioner is interested in restoring the position of Gill (S. S. Gill, whose tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati board came to an end with the promulgation of the Ordinance)," the Bench said.

ULFA activist
DHAKA, Sept 3 (PTI) — A Bangladesh court today granted permission to two human rights lawyers to defend arrested United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) general secretary Anup Chetia and his two associates currently under trial. The order to this effect was issued by Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Mohammad Habibur Rahman after a "vakalatnama" was presented in favour of the two lawyers by Chetia, Laxmi Prasad Goswami and Babul Sharma.

32 rebels killed
COLOMBO, Sept 3 (PTI) — The Sri Lankan army today claimed that over 32 Tamil Tigers were killed and 20 wounded in two different incidents of confrontation between the troops and rebels in the north of the country. About 25 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels were believed to have been killed in heavy fighting yesterday which broke out after troops launched an operation to destroy LTTE bunkers, an army press release said adding over 10 guerrillas were injured in the fighting.

Landslip inquiry
SRINAGAR, (Garhwal), Sept 3 (UNI) — A magisterial inquiry will be held to investigate whether the 64 people listed missing in the devastating landslide in Rudraprayag district on August 11 had actually perished in the disaster. Mr Babulal Meena, District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, told UNI that information on the status of missing persons could be submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Okhimath C.P. Bijlwan within one week.

Arunachal floods
ITANAGAR, Sept 3 (PTI) — The flood situation in East Siang and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh has deteriorated with the Noa-Dihing river submerging at least 15 villages in Lohit district. A report from Mahadevpur circle of Lohit district today said gushing water from the Noa-Dihing river has submerged at least 15 villages affecting about 30,000 people and damaging standing crops.