W O R L D

Terrorism greatest challenge, says Shekhawat
Mahe (Seychelles), September 10
Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today observed that the greatest challenge before the international community was to combat terrorism and growing threats to democracy worldwide arising from the forces bent upon subverting the process of development.

Indo-Israeli defence ties worry Pak
Islamabad, September 10
Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the growing Indo-Israeli defence cooperation, which it said “would have a destabilising effect in the region.” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan, commenting on the ongoing visit of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to India, said “If this axis was directed against Muslims, including Pakistani Muslims, then there was cause for grave concern.

Mourners attend the funeral of Alon Mizrahi, an Israeli security guard who was killed in an explosion in a cafe in Jerusalem, on Wednesday. A bomber killed seven persons in a cafe in Jerusalem on Tuesday, five hours after eight soldiers died in the bombing of a bus stop outside a military base near Tel Aviv. — Reuters photo

17 Pak migrants die in Greece
Athens, September 10
At least 17 Pakistanis were drowned in a river attempting to cross into northeastern Greece from Turkey, police officials said today. 

SARS case confirmed
Singapore, September 9
Singapore Health Ministry today said the 27-year Chinese post-doctoral student who tested positive for the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome was a “single and isolated case” of the virus in the country.

BRIEFLY

The window in front of a poster of English soccer star David Beckham is pictured after being broken by shrapnel near to the scene of a suicide bombing attack in Jerusalem on Wednesday. — Reuters

	7 killed in blast near Israeli base September 10, 2003
	Bush seeks troops, money for Iraq September 9, 2003
	Hamas leaders marked for death, warns Sharon September 8, 2003
	Pak Oppn calls for probe September 7, 2003
	Pak to press USA for Belgian F-16 jets September 6, 2003
	Trial opens in the slaying of Sikh September 5, 2003
	Murdered NRI hoteliers fought drug menace September 4, 2003
	Pak heading for anarchy, says oppn chief September 3, 2003
	Pak army men held for links with India, say reports September 2, 2003
	Russia backs UN force under US control September 1, 2003

Death for Bali bomber
Bali (Indonesia), September 10
Judges sentenced an Islamic militant to death by firing squad after finding him guilty today of being the “intellectual mastermind” behind last year’s deadly nightclub bombings on Bali island.




Imam Samudra shouts as he is lead away from a court in Bali on Wednesday. Samudra was sentenced to death for his role in last year's Bali bomb blasts. — Reuters photo

No soldier held for links with RAW, says Pak Islamabad, September 10 The Pakistan army has denied reports that 20 of its personnel, including a bodyguard of President Gen Pervez Musharraf, were detained for spying for India. Pakistan’s defence spokesman, Maj-Gen Sultan, said the report published in the local magazine Herald that over 20 personnel had been detained for having links with Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was wrong. — PTI Maoists explode bomb in Nepal  Kathmandu, September 10 Suspected Maoists detonated a bomb at the Department of Information here early today. The bomb had been planted in a toilet on the second floor of the department building in Sanchargram near Tribhuvan International Airport. — UNI

Musicians Paul Simon (R) and Art Garfunkel talk to reporters at a news conference in New York on Tuesday. The duo announced their first concert tour in 20 years on Tuesday. The tour opens on October 18 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.	US illusionist David Blaine writes in his notebook as he hangs in a glass box next to Greater London Authority headquarters near Tower Bridge in London on Tuesday. Blaine is on 44- day "Above the Below stunt" from last Friday. — Reuters photos

Terrorism greatest challenge, says Shekhawat
Rajeev Pande

Mahe (Seychelles), September 10
Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today observed that the greatest challenge before the international community was to combat terrorism and growing threats to democracy worldwide arising from the forces bent upon subverting the process of development.

With the globalisation of trade and commerce, a new world order was fast-emerging but unfortunately, the environment for world peace and harmony was still fragile, Mr Shekhawat said in an address at the Seychelles Defence Academy here.

There were the challenges of poverty and under-development to be met in most parts of the world, the Vice-President said adding that, “One cannot help observing that the continent of Africa is marching steadily towards economic self-reliance.”

It was equally praiseworthy, said Mr Shekhawat, to note the determination of African countries to find indigenous solutions to their conflicts as reflected in the objectives of the African Union and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Pointing out that India had been an active contributor to the peacekeeping operations in the continent as part of its commitment to African peace and stability, Mr Shekhawat said both Indian and Seychelles defence forces should join hands to strengthen solidarity between India and Africa.

He said India was committed to assist in all possible areas to enable the defence forces of Seychelles attain a high degree of efficiency and preparedness.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction that your country signed a joint declaration with India in October 2002 to fight against international terrorism,” Mr Shekhawat said. India, he said, was determined to fight and eliminate the cross-border terrorism.

Mr Shekhawat, who arrived here on Monday on an official visit to strengthen ties with India’s neighbouring littoral country of the Indian Ocean region, said the present age was of democracy.

But to safeguard democracy, to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignity of the country and the freedom of the people, professional, apolitical and disciplined defence forces were required to provide security and strength to the democracy and ever-dependable insurance against any threat to peace and harmony, he said.

Giving a boost to bilateral ties, India and Seychelles today signed four major agreements, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation and decided to strengthen trade and investment possibilities between the two countries.

The agreements signed during the third day of Mr Shekhawat’s visit to the island nation also included a cultural exchange programme for 2003-2005, MoUs on cooperation in science and technology and health cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to finalise a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement at an early date to enhance trade cooperation. The Indian delegation also held talks on trade, commerce, investment, technical assistance, oceanography, health, manpower development, culture, defence cooperation, as also regional and international issues. — UNI, PTI

Indo-Israeli defence ties worry Pak

Islamabad, September 10
Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the growing Indo-Israeli defence cooperation, which it said “would have a destabilising effect in the region.”

DHAKA: Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri today warned that the sale of weapons by Israel to India could disturb the balance of power in South Asia. “By visits of that nature in which the primary purpose seems to be the sale of ultra-modern and strategic weaponry aimed at disturbing the balance of power in South Asia, ultimately it will be the poor people of South Asia who will pay,” he told reporters during a visit to Dhaka. — UNI, AFP

17 Pak migrants die in Greece

Athens, September 10
At least 17 Pakistanis were drowned in a river attempting to cross into northeastern Greece from Turkey, police officials said today.

In the worst accident involving illegal immigrants for more than three years, the bodies of the 15 men and two women were washed onto the Greek banks of the river Evros which forms a natural border between the two countries. “We had found 14 bodies and we spotted another three on the Turkish side of the river,’’ a police official from the nearby town of Feres told Reuters.

“When we shouted across for them (Turks) to pick them out of the water, they just pushed them over to our side of the river and we are now trying to get these bodies as well.’’ The official said it was unclear how the Pakistanis ended up in the river. — Reuters

SARS case confirmed

Singapore, September 9
Singapore Health Ministry today said the 27-year Chinese post-doctoral student who tested positive for the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was a “single and isolated case” of the virus in the country.

The ministry said it had notified the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the details of the case. — UNI

Death for Bali bomber

Bali (Indonesia), September 10
Judges sentenced an Islamic militant to death by firing squad after finding him guilty today of being the “intellectual mastermind” behind last year’s deadly nightclub bombings on Bali island.

“Imam Samudra has been clearly proven to have planned a terrorist act, and we hand down the sentence of death,” Judge Wayan Sugawa said. —AP

BRIEFLY

Actress Sophia Loren poses with legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani as they arrive at the inaugural "Rodeo Drive Walk of Style" event, honoring Armani and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on Tuesday. Armani was honored for his contributions to the worlds of fashion and entertainment at the gala. — Reuters

TALIBAN KILL 4 AFGHAN WORKERS
KANDAHAR: Suspected Taliban killed four Afghans working for a Danish aid organisation in the south of the country, a local governor said. Taliban insurgents have stepped up attacks in the recent months. — AP

11 RUSSIAN SOLDIERS KILLED
VLADIKAVKAZ: Fighting persisted in Chechnya, with 11 Russian soldiers killed and 21 wounded in landmine blasts and clashes with rebels an official said on Wednesday. — AP

SENIOR AFGHAN OFFICIAL SHOT
KANDAHAR: The brother of a slain police official allegedly led a gang of 15 men who stormed a government office in Afghanistan’s southern Uruzgan province, shooting dead a senior government officials the provincial governor said on Wednesday. — AP

CINEBLITZ LAUNCHED IN LONDON
LONDON: To cash in on the popularity of Bollywood films in the UK, Cineblitz, one of India’s leading monthly film magazines, launched its international edition here on Tuesday night. — PTI

SOUND WAVES FROM BLACK HOLE
WASHINGTON: The voice of a black hole is a deep, deep bass, 57 octaves below middle C and for beyond the hearing range of humans. The Chandra X-ray Observatory has picked up sound waves for the first time from a cluster of galaxies 250 million light years away. — AP