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US drone aircraft killed at least 24 suspected militants in two attacks on Tuesday in Pakistans North Waziristan,a major al-Qaeda...

US missiles kill at least 24 in Pak

MIRANSHAH: US drone aircraft killed at least 24 suspected militants in two attacks on Tuesday in Pakistans North Waziristan,a major al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctuary,Pakistani security officials said. It was the fourth drone missile strike on militants in northwest Pakistan,bordering Afghanistan,since a failed bid to set off a car bomb in New Yorks Times Square on May 1. In the first of Tuesdays two drone attacks,more than 12 missiles were fired in Dattakhel village,about 30 km west of Miranshah,North Waziristan. Three missiles hit a vehicle and three militants sitting in it were killed,said an intelligence agency official in the region,who declined to be identified.

Russia mine toll rises to 52,Putin wants probe

Moscow: The death toll in twin methane blasts in a Siberian coalmine has risen to 52 with more bodies recovered from the shaft,even as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has sought a thorough probe into the incident described as the worst such disaster in Russias recent history. We have recovered bodies of five more miners. So the latest toll of the tragedy stands at 52. Fate of another 38 miners is unclear, a spokesman of Emergencies Situations Ministry was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.

Clamour for Nepal PMs resignation grows

Kathmandu: Raising the pitch against Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal,a group of 10 political parties have come together under the umbrella of the Maoists to join the clamour for his resignation. A meeting of 10 parties represented in the Constituent Assembly demanded Nepals resignation,which they said was crucial to finding a way out of the political deadlock. The Maoists have decided to form an alliance with political parties who are committed to national independence,secularism and a federal democratic constitution.

Protests to stay till Thai PM surrenders to police

BANGKOK: Thai anti-government demonstrators insisted Tuesday that they would continue their two-month protest until the countrys top leaders face criminal charges for a violent crackdown on their rallies,rejecting a government gesture of concession. The so-called Red Shirt protesters,who believe the government came to power illegitimately and are demanding new elections,on Monday agreed in principle to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajivas offer to hold a vote in November initially seen as the way out of the crisis. But they said they would hold their ground until Abhisit turned themselves in to police.