Pakistani court orders AQ Khan`s medical examination
The Lahore High Court on Tuesday ordered the government to allow disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, whose movements have been restricted, to meet his relatives and friends and to get him medically examined.

Rajapaksa dissolves Parliament, general elections soon
Riding high on the victory in the just-concluded Presidential polls, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved the country`s parliament, paving the way for conduct of general elections two months ahead of schedule.

Former Sri Lanka mediator concerned over Fonseka`s arrest
The former Norwegian mediator to the Sri Lankan conflict said today the arrest of ex-army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka raised "major concerns".

Pakistan forces arrest dozen Taliban militants
Pak security forces arrested a dozen suspected Taliban militants and destroyed several terrorist hideouts and compounds during search and clearance operations in the country?s northwest and the tribal belt bordering Afghn.

Bomb safely detonated near a minister`s house in Swat valley
Pakistani authorities on Tuesday safely detonated a powerful bomb planted near the home of a provincial minister in the restive Swat valley in the country’s northwest, officials said.

Afghan avalanche kills 30, injures 70: Ministry
An avalanche triggered by heavy snow killed up to 30 people and left another 70 injured in the treacherous mountains of northern Afghanistan, the defence ministry said.

Amnesty slams Sri Lanka on Fonseka`s arrest
Leading rights body Amnesty Intnl has slammed the Sri Lankan govt for its "crackdown on political opposition," following the arrest of former military chief Fonseka, which it said escalates "post-election repression".

UN appeals for $538M in Pakistan humanitarian aid
Aid groups in Pakistan need nearly $538 million over the next six months to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by army clashes against the Taliban, the UN said in an international appeal Tuesday.

Fonseka`s whereabouts remain unknown: Wife
A day after he was hauled away from his office by military personnel, the wife of former army chief Sarath Fonseka said her husband`s whereabouts remained "unknown" and she feared for his safety.

`Al Qaeda operates with impunity in Pakistan`
Despite the military action taken by the Pakistani Army against the terrorist groups, the US remains concerned that al Qaeda operates with impunity in Pakistan`s territory, a Congressional report has said.

Pak to hold inter-ministerial meeting on Indian talks offer
Pakistan will hold high-level confabulations here tomorrow to discuss India`s offer for Foreign Secretary-level talks amid its insistence that such a meeting should lead to the full-fledged resumption of the composite dialogue.

Afghan avalanche kills 15, strands 100s: Officials
Avalanches in a mountain pass north of Kabul have killed at least 15 people, injured more than 50 and left hundreds stranded on blocked roads, Afghan officials said Tuesday.

Nepal`s deposed King Gyanendra breaks centuries-old taboo
Nepal`s deposed king Gyanendra for the first time took a holy dip in the Triveni river, breaking a centuries-old taboo by taking part in a religious function as a commoner in an area forbidden for the family.

Fonseka "hell-bent" on betrayal: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka`s government on Tuesday said defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka was "hell-bent" on betrayal and would be court-martialed on charges of conspiring against the President.

Pak Taliban confirms Hakimullah`s death
Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday confirmed that its chief Hakimullah Mehsud had died of injuries sustained in a US drone strike, ending weeks of speculation over his fate.