India

New Delhi, April 10: Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to India on Sunday seems to have begun paying peace dividends with the Supreme Court granting bail to a 80-year-old Pakistan scientist convicted of murder, and both sides beginning work on a hassle-free visa regime for businessmen of both countries. On Sunday, during the visit of Zardari for lunch with prime minister Manmohan Singh

New Delhi, April 10: The three defence service chiefs have been summoned by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, which asked them to appear before it and apprise on the level of the armed forces’ preparedness in case of an enemy attack. The three chiefs may appear before the panel on April 20, though the date may be changed to ensure their presence. The committee took this

Anand Gujarat, April 10: A special fast track court here on Monday convicted 23 persons of murder, conspiracy and abetment to murder and acquitted 23 others in the 2002 Ode communal riot massacre in Gujarat. District and Sessions Court judge Poonam Singh said the sentences would be announced on April 12. The Ode riot — in which 24 people were burnt alive in two incidents by a mob on March 1 and 2

Anand (Guj), April 9: A sessions court here today convicted 23 people and acquitted as many others for want of evidence in connection with the Ode village massacre in 2002 post-Godhra riots. The verdict was delivered by the district and sessions court Judge Poonam Singh. The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence later. The riot case was probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT)

New Delhi, April 9: Eighty-year-old ailing Pakistani prisoner Dr. Khalil Chisty, serving life term in an Ajmer jail in Rajasthan in a murder case of 1992, was today granted bail by the Supreme Court. A bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and J. Chelameswar granted him the reprieve, considering his old age and the fact that he has been held up in India for the last 20 years after a murder case was

Hyderabad, April 9: The situation in trouble-hit parts of the old city here, remained peaceful today even as indefinite curfew continued for the second day in the communally sensitive Madannapet and Saidabad areas. "The situation is totally peaceful and there have been no reports of any untoward incident from any part of the communally sensitive old city during night," Deputy Commissioner of

New Delhi, April 9: While Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raised the issue of terrorism and the need to expedite the trial of Mumbai attacks accused with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, government sources said Zardari focused on Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen issues saying it was high time these were resolved. That Zardari managed to raise these issues focusing on their early settlement, even

Noida, April 9: The families of 17 Indians, who were among a crew of 22 on a Nigeria-bound oil tanker, have just been told that the ship was captured by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman more than a month ago. Recruitment agents said talks were on between the pirates and shipping company for the crew's release. The ship, MT Royal Grace, reportedly on its maiden voyage, was hijacked on March 4

New Delhi, April 9: Having jolted the government over the critical operational gaps in its military capabilities, the Army is now pushing hard for fast-track policies and acquisitions to "enhance its combat ratio versus China" as well as "upgrade its combat edge" against Pakistan. The defence ministry, too, is responding with alacrity for a change. Defence minister AK Antony has called another

New Delhi, April 8: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said he had "very constructive and friendly exchange of views" on all bilateral issues with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and was "very satisfied" with the outcome of the talks. He also said he would visit Pakistan "on a mutually convenient date""President Zardari and I have had a very constructive and friendly exchange of views on