Kathmandu, April 29
Normal life in the eastern and central Terai of Nepal was adversely affected on the sixth consecutive day today due to indefinite strike called by the Chure-Bhawar Ekata Samaj.

Thousands of passengers bound for the capital and other parts of the country had been stranded at different places along the east-west highway, leaving them without food, since last week.

Similarly, marketplaces, academic institutions and transport services had been affected in Siraha, Saptari, Sunsari, Morang, Sarlahi, Rautahat and Dhanusha districts in Terai.

Protesters burnt and vandalised around five vehicles for defying the strike.

The ekata samaj has been on strike since last week in spite of the government’s call for dialogue to address their demand and resolve the problems politically.

The situation in Siraha, Saptari, Morang and Sunsari districts was worse following the Madhesi Tiger, an armed outfit, announcement of a two-day Terai band from Saturday.

Following the proclamation of interim constitution in the country in January 15, the Terai region has seen serious unrest as different regional groups, including breakaway faction of former Maoist rebels, carried out violent agitation demanding autonomous federal system in Terai.

Meanwhile, a group of armed activist affiliated with the tigers hurled a socket bomb at a bus carrying six journalists in Sunsari this morning. However, journalists escaped unhurt as the attackers missed the target, reports said.

Peshawar, April 29
The Pakistan Government has formed an investigation team to probe a suicide blast targeting the interior minister, which injured him and killed 28 others, officials said today.

Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao had just addressed a public gathering in the town of Charsada in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan yesterday when the bomber rushed towards the stage and triggered the explosion.

“We have formed a joint investigation team comprising provincial and federal police and investigation agencies to probe the incident,” NWFP chief minister Akram Durrani told reporters after meeting Sherpao.

Sherpao, a staunch supporter of President Pervez Musharraf, has been a prominent figure in touting the government’s achievements in the fight against terrorism.

“I was the target of this blast,” he told national 
television.

Officials said Sherpao was not injured badly and had travelled again to Charsada today, where he attended the funeral prayers of nine dead amid tight security.

Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani told a press conference in Peshawar the death toll rose to 28 today as two of the injured had died in hospital; adding 52 persons were hurt in the blast. The attacker carried about eight to 10 kg of explosive, Durrani said. — AFP

Baghdad, April 29
US troops captured 72 suspected insurgents and seized nitric acid and other bomb-making materials in overnight raids on Al-Qaida in the north and west of Baghdad, the US military said today. The synchronised operations took place in the provinces of Anbar and Salahaddin, both Sunni Arab strongholds.

In the city of Samarra alone, 36 persons with links to Al-Qaida in Iraq were arrested. In Karmah, near the insurgent bastion of Falluja, US forces confiscated 20 drums of nitric acid and other bomb-making materials.

Earlier today, the US military launched an artillery barrage in southern Baghdad against suspected insurgent targets, with two-dozen loud explosions shaking the southern outskirts of the capital.

US military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Garver said the morning blasts were caused by US artillery but declined to say what the target was.

Tens of thousands of US and Iraqi troops have been deployed in Baghdad as part of a 10-week-old security crackdown to combat sectarian militias and insurgents.

US military commanders say insurgents, including Al-Qaida, have regrouped in Baghdad’s outlying areas to launch attacks and build car-bombing networks that have caused mass casualties in recent weeks.

Insurgents have continued to attack both security forces and civilians. Yesterday, a suicide car bombing in the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, central Iraq, killed 71 persons. — Reuters

London, April 29
Britain’s Prince Harry has admitted that he is a “nervous wreck” ahead of his deployment in Iraq but maintained he wants to “get out there and serve my country.”

‘The News of the World’, a weekly tabloid, today reported that Harry told his friends at a farewell speech ahead of his much publicised posting to Iraq that he is “prepared to do anything they throw at me.” The report also claimed that Harry has, under orders, already written out a will detailing the disposal of his personal fortune, estimated at 13 million pounds.

Harry’s regiment, the Blues and Royals, where he is a second lieutenant, is due to begin a six-month tour of duty in Iraq soon. A spokesman of Clarence House, Harry’s father Prince Charles’ London office, would not comment on the report, saying “what he does in his private time is private.”

The spokesman said reference should be made to a speech made last year by Harry to mark his 21st birthday. In it, the young prince said he would not have gone through the rigors of officer training at the elite Sandhurst military academy “then sit on my bottom back home while my boys are out fighting for their country.”

According to the tabloid, the 22-year old royal reportedly told a group of 20 close friends at a London nightclub that he would be honoured to serve the country. aArmy commanders are reportedly reconsidering their decision to allow the prince to fight in Iraq because of fears his presence would endanger him and other soldiers. — PTI

London, April 29
Thousands of Sikhs today celebrated Baisakhi at Trafalgar Square here with dancing, singing and street parades.

“Baisakhi really brings the community together and that is a joy to see. Not just Sikhs but Hindus, Muslims and Christians have joined in our celebration. It is a peaceful, religious festival for everyone to enjoy,” said Golal Singh Gill from Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall, the largest gurdwara in Europe.

The festivities began with a prayer service, after which every participant was offered a free vegetarian meal. — PTI

Paris, April 29
A French aid worker, who was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan, returned home to France today, diplomatic officials said.

The woman, identified as Celine Cordelier by France’s Embassy in Kabul, was flown home overnight after giving a tearful statement yesterday, pleading for the release of four colleagues still held in southern Afghanistan.

The Taliban is demanding the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan. — AP

Undated, April 29
It was a flimsy piece of paper that swept away the Berlin Wall.

The statement from East Germany’s official news agency ADN ran to four paragraphs and was as matter-of-fact as some post office advisory.

“You’ll all have seen this?” grumbled Guenter Schabowski, the government spokesman, as he waved the dispatch at a crowded news conference in East Berlin on the evening of November 9, 1989.

“No! What is it? Read it out!” demanded the foreign Press.

So he did, mumbling at speed in a harassed tone punctuated by cries from scribbling reporters to slow down.

East Germans would be given permission for private journeys to the West without “fulfilling preconditions”, ADN said. They would get permits at short notice and could have “permanent emigration” visas too, if they wanted.

When would this begin? “Immediately, as far as I know,” replied the bemused Schabowski, a member of the Politburo who we assumed would know.

Correspondents raced off with the news. But whole minutes ticked by before the penny dropped. This was no travel policy tweak: after 28 years as a lethal divider between East and West, the Wall was coming down.