 |
|
|
Obama to revamp US interrogation system
Legendary broadcaster Cronkite dies
India, Pak must pursue dialogue, says Hillary |
|
|
Taliban fighters resurface in Swat
Dreaded ultra held in B’desh
Crow talker man threatens to halt Nepal’s airport
First monsoon showers in Pak
|
|
Obama to revamp US interrogation system
Washington, July 18 The new unit, comprising members of spy services and law-enforcement agencies, would be used for so-called high-value detainees, ‘The Wall Street Journal’ reported today. “One of the team’s tasks would likely be to devise a new set of interrogation methods,” the report said, quoting one person familiar with the proposal. “Those techniques could be drawn from sources ranging from scientific studies to the psychology behind television ads,” the daily said. The new interrogation team, if adopted, The Journal said, would represent the administration’s effort to sweep away a contentious counter-terrorism issue that has dogged the CIA and Justice Department since a US network of secret prisons was revealed in 2005. The team’s efforts would focus more on gathering intelligence than on assembling evidence suitable for use in a criminal trial. In addition, the team would be asked to devise non-coercive procedures that may differ from the 19 permitted in the Army Field Manual, which include providing rewards for information and playing on a detainee’s anxiety or other emotions, the newspaper said. Soon after coming to power, Obama ordered shut down of secret CIA detention centres and closing down of Guantanamo Bay within a year. According to a person familiar with the task force recommendations, there was general support within the Obama administration for a professional interrogation team from multiple agencies, the paper said. The debate is over the details of how to do it: who should be in charge, where it should be housed within the government, and what its composition would be, it said. — PTI
|
|
Legendary broadcaster Cronkite dies
Washington, July 18 "His rich baritone reached millions of living rooms every night, and in an industry of icons, Walter set the standard by which all others have been judged," Obama said. Cronkite pioneered and then mastered the role of television news anchorman with such plain-spoken grace that he was called the most trusted man in America, The New York Times reported. From 1962 to 1981, when Cronkite anchored the CBS news, he was witness to several historical moments including the landing on moon to the assassination of the US President, John F Kennedy. CBS Vice President Linda Mason said Cronkite died at 7:42pm yesterday with his family by his side at his home in New York after a long illness. He had been suffering from cerebrovascular disease, his family said recently. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Walter Cronkite - one of the most influential newsmen of our time. I will never forget our memorable visit together to Hanoi on the 10th anniversary of the fall of Saigon,” said Senator John McCain in a statement. “He was the voice of truth, the voice of reliability,” Todd Gitlin, a Columbia University journalism professor and sociologist was quoted as saying by The Washington Post. — PTI
|
|
India, Pak must pursue dialogue, says Hillary
With Pakistan reportedly high on her agenda during current visit to India, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hoped that the two countries would pursue a dialogue again.
"The meeting in Egypt between Prime Ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani and Manmohan Singh was very promising and has ignited the hope that India and Pakistan will pursue a dialogue again", Clinton said in an interview with TV channel Dawn News. She said Pakistan has nothing to fear from her India visit and that US recognition of India's growing world role does not lead to making Pakistan subservient to Indian hegemony.
|
|
Taliban fighters resurface in Swat
Islamabad, July 18 Taliban cadres have been carrying out armed patrols on roads in Buner district and established a check post at Pacha Killay over the past few days local residents were quoted as saying by The News daily. People of the area said militants established a checkpost beside a stream at a spot between Pacha Killay and Balo Khan a few days ago. They checked people at the post, singling out government officials and their opponents. “The checkpoint was set up a few days ago but removed after shelling by security forces. However, they have set it up again and checked people here on Friday,” a resident said. People also said some 250 to 300 Taliban fighters stormed Pacha Killay a couple of days ago. The militants reportedly took away cash cards given to displaced people to obtain Rs 25,000 from state-run banks. Local residents said militants were active in many parts of Buner district, including Pir Baba, Mula Banda, Dokada, Malikpur, Balo Khan, Hisar and Gokand. However, the Frontier Corps, which is leading anti-militancy operations in Buner, denied reports that the Taliban had set up a check post. It also played down concerns about the regrouping of militants. — PTI
|
|
Dreaded ultra held in B’desh
Dhaka, July 18 Mufti Obaidullah, who was paraded before the media yesterday, was described by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner AKM Shahidul Hoque as “one of the most wanted Indian terrorists”. Obaidullah, a veteran of the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan, told interrogators that his task was to organise “jihad” under instructions from Amir Reza, leader of Pakistan-based
LeT. The Daily Star quoted Hoque as saying Obaidullah had collaborated with Islamist militants in Jammu and Kashmir, and also participated in terror attacks in Indian cities. Besides operating for the LeT since 1995, Obaidullah was working for absconding Dawood.
— IANS
|
|
Crow talker man threatens to halt Nepal’s airport
Kathmandu, July 18 Gautam Sapkota (27), who has reportedly got the unique skill could not get his name enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records due to financial problems, though he has already initiated the process of registration last year. Speaking at a press conference in eastern Nepal town Dharan yesterday, Sapkota gave three month ultimatum to the government to help him get his name registered in the Guinness book.
— PTI
|
|
First monsoon showers in Pak
Islamabad on Saturday received the first rains of monsoon season that has also started in most other parts of the country, albeit belatedly.
Heavy rains and strong winds have lashed Sindh and Punjab for the past couple of days while capital Islamabad and northern parts of the country have also been hit by the monsoon spell that is likely to last for three or four days, according to weather pundits. "The monsoon season this year has begun about a fortnight late," Qamruzzaman, director-general of Meteorological Department said. "The monsoon rains this time are likely to be 30 per cent less than the previous year,” he added.
|
||
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Washington, July 18
