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| 13/03/2010 | Rochdale drugs gang jailed |
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A gang at the heart of a conspiracy to peddle thousands of pounds worth of drugs in Rochdale have been jailed with the last member of the gang now behind bars. In December 2008, officers in Rochdale searched seven addresses in Wardleworth and Littleborough as part of a 14-month investigation into the supply of class A drugs and money laundering. 
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| 13/03/2010 | ‘Neighbourly’ mosque plans back on table |
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Oldham Residents have been assured that the latest plans for a new mosque development will not be overshadow their properties. Plans have been submitted by the committee at Medina Mosque for the redevelopment and demolition of a factory on Clydesdale Street, Coppice. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Fans racially abused Asian teen |
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A group of racist thugs abused a 15-year-old boy with racist chants as he walked alongside Accrington Railway Station. British Transport Police are now appealing for information about the incident which happened around 7.20pm on Saturday, February 20, following the League Two football match between Accrington Stanley and Bradford City. |
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| 13/03/2010 | 'Secret Millionaire' reveals the challenges of going it alone |
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One of Britain’s most successful female entrepreneurs, Kavita Oberoi, visited Blackburn to give local business owners and managers her impression of the challenges, risks and rewards of launching a business for the first time. In her leadership masterclass – entitled 'Going It Alone', she recounted the decisions that had led her to leave a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry in 2001 and to set up her own IT and business healthcare consultancy. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Akshay Kumar returns in in Housefull |
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Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is all set to rock the Box Office this year with the much anticipated release of his first film of 2010, romantic comedy Housefull. Co-produced by Eros International, Housefull was filmed on location in UK, Italy, Hong Kong and India. 
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| 10/03/2010 | Shyam Benegal celebrated at film festival |
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One of India’s leading filmmakers, Shyam Benegal, is in the UK for a series of events exploring his vast career and celebrating his achievements in Indian cinema. As part of the Tongues on Fire 12th Asian Film Festival, the director is attending a range of functions across London, including a BAFTA interview, a director’s workshop at the University of Westminster, and a talk on women in films at the Nehru Centre. 
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| 08/03/2010 | From tea-boy to Bollywood star - Abhishek Bachchan on his climb to fame |
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In a 36 hour visit to the UK, Abhishek Bachchan gave London audiences an insight into his life and work at the 12th London Asian Film Festival. The actor opened the ten day series of events with a BAFTA interview and gala dinner on Friday, wrapping his jam-packed visit with an Actor’s Masterclass at a West End cinema on Saturday, before flying home. 
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| 03/03/2010 | Akshay Kumar kickstarts shoot for Tees Maar Khan |
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Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and Bollywood’s most lovable director, Farah Khan have just kick-started their already-hyped new venture Tees Maar Khan at Mumbai's Film City. Akshay is currently shooting his introductory shot in the film - a major action comedy scene on a huge jumbo jet constructed by set director, Sabu Cyril. 
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| 03/03/2010 | Hrithik Roshan on the colours of love |
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On the occasion of Holi, Hrithik Roshan speaks up on his colourful life and his upcoming movie Kites, which stars Brazilian actress Barbara Mori and the beautiful Kangana Ranaut in a never-seen-before role. 
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| 08/03/2010 | 12th London Asian Film Festival attracts Bollywood stars |
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Bollywood fans in the UK will get the chance to interact with some of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry at the Tongues on Fire 12th London Asian Film Festival (5-14 March 2010). Leading Bollywood figures are scheduled to attend including Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Jaya Bachchan, Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore. 
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| 01/03/2010 | Abhay Deol raring to go with Road, Movie |
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One of the big winners at the weekend Filmfare awards was Abhay Deol starrer Dev D, which bagged a handful of statuettes.
Now the poster boy of offbeat Hindi cinema is back with his new release, Indo-American production Road, Movie. 
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| 24/02/2010 | Search is on for the next Rishi Rich Project band members |
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Music producer Rishi Rich has launched the search for the next Rishi Rich Project group members. After successfully putting together Juggy D and Jay Sean as part of the original chart topping Rishi Rich Project, he is now looking for the stars of the future. 
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| 22/02/2010 | Official Asian download chart announced |
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The BBC Asian Network has announced that it will broadcast the world’s first official Asian download chart. Presented by Bobby Friction, the three hour extended show is set to launch on Saturday 27 March from 3pm – 6pm. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Two fined over underage booze sale |
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The owner and manager of a Denton off-licence have been fined after admitting selling alcohol to a 15-year-old child during an undercover trading standards investigation. Atif Munir, the owner of Jays Booze Bonanza in Frederick Street, Denton, and James Pasco, the designated premises supervisor, appeared before Tameside magistrates on March 3. |
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| 13/03/2010 | Hugging pals break world record |
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Two friends have broken the world record for the longest hug to celebrate the opening of a new cancer centre. Faisal Mohyud-Din, 18, and Mohammed Azeem, 21, hugged continuously for 24 hours and fifteen minutes to earn their place in the Guinness Book of Records. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Muslim centre to hold football festival |
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Oldham Muslim Centre are organising one of the largest football tournaments in the north west. The Football Festival, on May 2, will see more than 60 teams from across the borough compete for the top spot. |
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| 13/03/2010 | Blackburn artist draws support from local businesses |
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A contemporary artist living and working in Blackburn has seen her business grow in unexpected directions. Razina Patel, is one of twenty five delegates taking part in Enterprise4All’s second LEAD cohort, a programmed lead by Northwest Regional Development Agency. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Pasta and pilau on the menu |
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Indian and Italian cuisine will be on offer in a restaurant soon to open in the Rossendale Valley. The owner of Premier Ashoka Usman Ali, who gained planning permission for the project despite a rally of opposition, says he will create 25 jobs at the facility. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Record crowds turn out for celebrations |
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More than 1,000 people took part in a march through Accrington to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. The march began and ended at the Grimshaw Street Mosque. 
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| 13/03/2010 | Lloyds spices up deal with Eros International |
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Indian media and entertainment company, Eros has announced a $25 million funding deal with Lloyds Banking Group. The financial package will enable the company to pursue its global corporate strategy and manage its working capital effectively. |
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South Asia National News from AussieIndoLanka
| 14/03/2010 | Women’s reservation bill: the facts, the myths |
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The women’s reservation bill reserving one-third seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures has got through the Rajya Sabha but it has polarised politics and civil society.
The government, which was taken aback by the unprecedented bedlam over the bill in the Rajya Sabha, has promised to hold an all-party meeting before it takes the legislation to the Lok Sabha. The main political opponents of the bill--Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav--say the bill will help the rich and privileged and not the poor disadvantaged. The bill is an onion that will "bring tears to MPs once they peel it off," says Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad.
Supporters of the bill say the bill--formally called the 108th Constitution Amendment Bill--is necessary to increase the representation of women in Parliament, which stands at just 10 per cent even after 15 elections.
ibnlive.in.com/news/womens-reservation-bill-the-facts-the-myths/111485-37.html
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| 14/03/2010 | Don’t want to waste time if the meet is ’fruitless’: Qureshi |
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Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said he would address American concerns about the Lashker-e-Toiba during an upcoming visit to the US, a day after lawmakers asked the Obama administration to put more pressure on Islamabad to crack down on the LeT.
Qureshi said he would be willing to provide "any explanation sought" by American authorities. "They have a Congressional committee which discussed (this issue) and people expressed their views. They can do that, you can’t impose restrictions on anyone. But I will be visiting the US in the near future and I will engage Congressmen and Senators. I will present our views to them," Qureshi said in response to a question during an interaction with reporters in his hometown of Multan.
Gary Ackerman, chairman of the US House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, yesterday described the Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT as a "group of savages" that ought to be crushed.
www.indianexpress.com/news/dont-want-to-waste-time-if-the-meet-is-fruitless-qureshi/590398/
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| 14/03/2010 | 13 killed, 52 injured in suicide attack in Pak’s Swat valley |
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At least 13 people were killed and 52 others injured on Saturday when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a heavily-guarded court complex in the restive Swat valley in northwest Pakistan, a day after multiple blasts in Lahore claimed 45 lives.
Witnesses and police officials said the bomber came to the court complex in Mingora, the main city of Swat district, in a rickshaw. As he walked towards the complex, he was spotted and challenged by security personnel manning a check post.
"The bomber blew himself up when the security personnel fired at him," district police chief Qazi Ghulam Farooq said. The check post was manned jointly by army soldiers and policemen.
Many of the 13 people killed in the attack were security personnel, officials said. Fiftytwo others were wounded. The powerful blast also destroyed five cars. Footage on television showed some cars on fire as passers-by carried the injured away from the site of the blast.
www.indianexpress.com/news/13-killed-52-injured-in-suicide-attack-in-paks-swat-valley/590377/
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| 14/03/2010 | ’Resolving Kashmir issue will not satisfy LeT’ |
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A top expert told US lawmakers that terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) will no longer be satisfied by a resolution on Kashmir between India and Pakistan, bringing into light the possibility of a the terror outfits looking for a bigger goal and a greater share of power in Pakistan.
"There is no doubt in my mind that we have to find ways to resolve the issues relating to Kashmir. But I think resolving Kashmir is not going to solve the problems relating to LeT," Ashley J Tellis, senior associate at the prestigious Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told US lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Thursday.
"Resolving the Kashmir problem by itself is not going to remove this threat because the aim of these groups is to leverage themselves into a position of power inside Pakistan and to take control," said eminent Pakistani scholar, Shuza Nawaz, Director, South Asia Centre, the Atlantic Council of the United States.
www.indianexpress.com/news/resolving-kashmir-issue-will-not-satisfy-let/590380/
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| 14/03/2010 | Bomb was in Bakery for 90 mins before it went off’ |
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Pune Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh on Saturday blamed the German Bakery staff saying they were negligent, as the bag with the bomb was lying abandoned at the bakery for around 90 minutes before it went off.
While there has been no breakthrough regarding the perpetrators even after a month, Singh said the blast happened because the Bakery management was not alert and there was lack of awareness among those in the Bakery at the time.
“The bag carrying explosives was in the Bakery for about one-and-a-half hours. A waiter who saw the bag thought someone had forgotten it and informed the cashier,” Singh said.
“We had given security guidelines to German Bakery in October last year. It had mentioned steps to be followed if an abandoned bag was found. The Bakery staff should have informed the police about the bag. But they did not,” he said.
www.indianexpress.com/news/bomb-was-in-bakery-for-90-mins-before-it-went-off/590541/
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| 13/03/2010 | Lahore blasts a warning to Pakistani army |
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Serial bomb blasts ripped through Lahore on Friday, killing 45 people and injuring more than 100.
The Punjabi Taliban is believed to be behind the attack that targeted army vehicles as a possible warning to stop the military against the Taliban.
"Two suicide attacks occurred here, within 15 seconds of each other. The suicide bombers hit two vehicles belonging to CSF," said Provincial Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah.
The attack near a mosque in the crowded RA Bazaar area seemed aimed at patrolling army vehicles.
The bazaar is in the cantonment and at least 10 army personnel were listed among those dead. The attack appeared to be the work of suicide bombers whose severed heads have been recovered.
"Crackers were used in these incidents with the intention of spreading panic. Some people are talking about seeing a vehicle - a van - which apparently was planting these crackers," claimed senior police official of Iqbal Town, Nasir Rizvi.
ibnlive.in.com/news/lahore-blasts-a-warning-to-pakistani-army/111459-2.html
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| 13/03/2010 | BJP split over women’s bill, Advani to meet MPs |
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The Bharatiya Janata Party is facing a rebellion over the Women’s Reservation Bill with many of its Lok Sabha MPs voicing their apprehensions about the Bill.
Senior leader LK Advani will meet party MPs on Thursday evening to sort out differences at the residence in New Delhi.
Though the party has decided to issue a whip in favour of the bill in the Lok Sabha, many MPs have openly come out against the decision to back the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government.
However, BJP’s Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, Ramesh Bais, denied reports of that some BJP MPs had decided to go against the party’s decision to support the Women’s Reservation Bill.
"Few MPs did come to me to express apprehension on Women’s Reservation bill. Ultimately view of the party will prevail and the bill as passed by the Rajya Sabha would be passed in the Lok Sabha as well," said Bais.
ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-split-over-womens-bill-advani-to-meet-mps/111388-37.html
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| 13/03/2010 | Af-Pak situation, a concern to entire world: Putin |
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday expressed concern over terror groups operating from within Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying it was a threat to the entire world.
Putin, who is in India on a two-day visit, said Russia understood well the concerns of India regarding banned terror outfits operating against it from within Pakistan’s soil.
He added in equal measure that Islamabad had in the recent months initiated action against those groups.
Participating in a video conference with businessmen from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, Putin said: "As far as terror groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan are concerned, it is a matter of worry for the entire region and in fact, the whole world."
He said due to the proximity of India and Russia to Afghanistan border, the situation in the troubled Asian country "did impact the security" of both the two countries.
www.indianexpress.com/news/afpak-situation-a-concern-to-entire-world-putin/590096/
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| 13/03/2010 | India and Russia ink pacts in defence and strategic spheres |
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India and Russia on Friday sealed agreements in the defence and strategic spheres, besides taking steps to extend their partnership in new areas such as energy and fertilizers.
In all, the two sides signed five agreements — two each in the nuclear sphere and fertilizers and one in the civilian space segment — in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.
Several other pacts were signed on the sidelines, including supplementary agreements on the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov to finalise cost and technical issues, and a deal in the military aviation sphere that includes the purchase of more naval version MiG-29 fighters. Commercial level agreements were signed between Gazprom and ONGC; NPCIL and Atomostroy export (for the next two units at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu); and Alrosa and Diamonds India Limited, besides two between companies also engaged in the diamond sector.
www.hindu.com/2010/03/13/stories/2010031363770100.htm
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| 13/03/2010 | No vacancy for retired women officers: Forces |
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The Delhi High Court Friday directed the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) to reinstate the over 50 women officers who petitioned against the denial of permanent commission but the two forces said this would be well nigh impossible.
"Firstly, there are no vacancies. Secondly, this would create cadre management problems. Thirdly, there are sound arguments on the basis of which an appeal can be filed," an IAF officer said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the issued.
Commenting on the court order to grant permanent commission to the women officers who had joined the forces in the Short Service Commission stream, the officer said: "This can’t be done at the stroke of a pen as it would have a cascading effect.
"On the one hand, all other women Short Service Commission officers would also demand permanent commission. Then, male officers would also demand this facility."
ibnlive.in.com/news/no-vacancy-for-retired-women-officers-forces/111442-3.html
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| 13/03/2010 | Suicide blasts in Lahore kill 45 |
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Suicide bombers targeting the Pakistani military killed at least 45 people in Lahore on Friday, officials said, in a challenge to government assertions that crackdowns have weakened Taliban insurgents.
Two suicide bombers attacked within the span of 15 to 20 seconds and they were on foot, provincial police chief Tariq Saleem Dogar told reporters.
The dead in the attack, the bloodiest this year, in a military neighbourhood of the city near the border with India included nine soldiers, military officials said. Almost 100 were wounded.
Pakistani authorities have said security crackdowns have weakened al Qaeda-linked Taliban militants fighting to topple the U.S.-backed government.
But the Taliban have renewed pressure on unpopular President Asif Ali Zardari, who faces calls from opponents to hand over his strongest powers to the prime minister.
www.indianexpress.com/news/suicide-blasts-in-lahore-kill-45/590048/
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| 13/03/2010 | Oppn, Govt spar over thin attendance in Lok Sabha |
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The Opposition and the Government on Friday took swipes at each other over absence of Ministers and members in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Budget.
The Opposition sought to make an issue of absence of a cabinet minister in the Lok Sabha during the debate on General Budget 2010-11 alleging that it showed the Government’s casual approach to Parliament.
As former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha raised the issue, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj joined him in pointing out the thin attendance in the treasury benches.
"A serious discussion on the Budget is on but there are hardly any members in the treasury benches. This shows how serious they are regarding the issue", Swaraj said amid cries of "shame, shame" from the opposition side.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy said Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal would be back in the House within a few minutes.
www.indianexpress.com/news/oppn-govt-spar-over-thin-attendance-in-lok-sabha/590087/
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| 13/03/2010 | India, Russia set to ink multi-crore defence pact |
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was to seal a series of multi-billion dollar arms deals on Friday during a visit to India aimed at boosting ties with Moscow’s old Cold War ally.
According to Russian officials, Putin will sign more than a dozen pacts amounting to 10 billion dollars, including an accord to resolve the troubled sale of a refitted Soviet-era aircraft carrier, the Admiral Gorshkov.
Putin met President Pratibha Patil as he began his New Delhi visit eyeing upon boosting strategic and defence ties with India.
Putin, who is on a 22-hour visit to India, is expected to sign over a dozen agreements with India, including an umbrella civil nuclear pact to construct additional nuclear power stations.
The two countries already have agreements for construction of four nuclear reactors in addition to a pair of Russian units being built in Tamil Nadu.
www.indianexpress.com/news/india-russia-set-to-ink-multicrore-defence-pact/590054/
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| 13/03/2010 | Blast after blast after blast in lahore |
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Two suicide bombers targeting Army vehicles detonated explosives within seconds of each other on Friday, killing at least 45 people and wounding 100, police said. It was the fourth major attack in Pakistan this week, indicating Islamist militants are stepping up violence after a period of relative calm.
Hours later, a series of five small explosions terrified residents in another Lahore neighbourhood and injured at least three. Police officials said the four low-intensity blasts apparently resulted from loose explosives — not packed bombs —scattered through the residential area. While the explosions sent police and rescue workers racing through the area, there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage.
About 10 of those killed in the twin blasts were soldiers, said Lahore police chief Parvaiz Rathore.
The bombers struck R A Bazaar, a residential and commercial neighbourhood where several security agencies have facilities.
www.indianexpress.com/news/blast-after-blast-after-blast-in-lahore/590338/
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| 12/03/2010 | Warrant issued against JMO |
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The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued an arrest warrant on the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for failing to submit a detailed post mortem report on B. Sivakumar the mentally unstable youth who was allegedly drowned by the police in Bambalapitiya last year.
When the case was taken up for hearing, Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne asked the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) to submit the post mortem report, to which the CCD informed court that it had not yet been submitted by the JMO.
The Magistrate then issued a warrant for the JMO for not submitting his report to court on time.
www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/news/2291-warrant-issued-against-jmo.html
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