The leader of a militant group with links to al-Qaeda has ordered followers to stop violence in Pakistan, after the Government began secret talks.

Pakistan’s new coalition government is changing its approach to dealing with insurgents, in a bid to end fighting responsible for the deaths of hundreds since the middle of last year, but some critics have attacked the policy, saying that it will allow militants to regroup and intensify attacks in Afghanistan.

Police have been given an extra week to question Andrew Ibrahim, arrested under the Terrorism Act in Bristol on the 18th April.

The 19 year old will be held for questioning until the 1st May. This is his second extension. Dozens of residents in Westbury-on-Trym were evacuated whilst three controlled explosions were carried out at Mr Ibrahim's flat.

It is understood Mr. Ibrahim, who moved to the area three weeks ago, had only recently become a Muslim. He was arrested after an investigation prompted by a tip-off.

The Supreme Court in Bangladesh has ruled no one charged under emergency legislation is eligible for bail.

This effectively ends the possibility of detained rival former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia being bailed before the end of their corruption trials. At least 40 other detainees, several of them former ministers, have been convicted on corruption charges.

The ruling is a response to a corruption case last year, when the interim government granted bail to a trader accused of selling adulterated cooking oil, before he was arrested.

This type of bail is known as ‘anticipatory bail’; the High Court granted several others charged with corruption in the past year with this type of bail, it is not yet clear whether the ruling applies to them.

The interim government launched a nationwide anti-corruption drive when it came to power. Over 170 politicians have been detained.

U.S. antitrust authorities have cleared India's Tata Motors Ltd's purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Co.

Antitrust authorities completed their review of the £1billion deal without taking any action to block it, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said in a notice issued yesterday.

In March, Tata announced it would buy Jaguar and Land Rover, giving the Indian automaker a line-up of products ranging from the world's cheapest car to some of the most expensive.

A think tank says high immigration levels over the past decade have boosted the British economy. The Work Foundation says immigration has forced down inflation and interest rates, and help the UK avoid damaging skills shortages.

It also rejects claims immigrants have deprived British workers of jobs and lower wages.

The report concluded migrants increased the UK economy by one percent a year after the EU expanded in 2004 – contradicting a recent Lords report saying migrants had depressed low pay wages and decreased training opportunities.

India is preparing to carry out one of the world’s biggest ever censuses. Millions of volunteers and census officials will visit households to collect data on jobs, education and quality of life, which will shape Government policies.

It is expected to reveal changing demographics; a gap is emerging between the increasingly better off south and the more impoverished north.

Economic growth in India is now more than 8.5%, but more infrastructure and jobs are needed. Only 15% of India’s 2.5million graduates find jobs that lift them out of poverty.

A man has admitted causing the death of a father of two who was dragged along the road after an attempt to steal the stereo from his van.

Balbir Matharu, 54, died in east London in January 2006, when he was struck by a car. Albert Willett, 26, pleaded guilty to Mr. Matharu's manslaughter. His brother Tommy, 24, has denied manslaughter.

Both men have also denied a further charge of murder. Their trial at the Old Bailey will begin today.

A van collided head on with a truck in a crash which caused the death of 24 people earlier this morning about 80 miles northwest of Jodphur, said city Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Narjari.

An 8 year old girl was the only survivor from the van according to Mr. Narjari. The cause of the crash was unclear because it occurred in a remote area in the early hours, and there were no witnesses.

At this point it not known what happened to the truck driver, who may have fled the scene.

An Indian born prisoner jailed for 18 months for a terrorism offence is threatening legal action to the Government to deport him.

Sabeel Ahmed admitted failing to tell police about emails he received from his brother, about the attempted terrorist attack on Glasgow airport last June. He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey 13 days ago, and agreed to be deported to India.

His lawyers say he is still being held as a category A prisoner in Belmarsh prison, but wants to returned to Bangalore to see his ailing parents.

Ethnic minority communities are hardest hit by organ shortages for donations in the UK. South Asians have a greater chance of needing a kidney transplant than other groups in the population.

This is due to increased likelihood of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are major causes of kidney failure.

Glenis Willmott, Labour MEP for East Midlands has said it is important that people from different ethnic backgrounds donate organs.

People from different sections of the community have come together to voice their concerns outside the Pakistan High Commission in London today, over the continuing use of the death penalty in Pakistan.

The vigil comes just 1 week before the execution of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh who has been accused of spying and involvement in the killing of 27 people in bomb attacks in Pakistan in 1990. He says he is a poor farmer and victim of mistaken identity who strayed drunk from his border village into Pakistan.

It has been reported that Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf is likely to accept a mercy appeal and free Singh.

A senior Government official confirmed “The President is very seriously considering the mercy appeal and is expected to give good news to Sarabjit Singh’s family”. His family have arrived in Lahore, where Singh is jailed, in an attempt to save him.

Four men serving at least 40 years for the failed July 21st suicide bombs have lost a Court of Appeal bid to challenge their convictions.

Three judges rejected applications brought by Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussain Osman for leave to appeal.

The men were jailed for life for conspiracy to murder last July. They had tried to detonate rucksacks filled with explosives on three Tube trains and a bus in 2005.

Fifteen terrorists plots have been foiled since the 7/7 London bombings three years ago. Police chiefs disclosed the information yesterday as they called for an extension to the length of time terror suspects can be detained without charge.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair told a parliamentary committee scrutinising the Government’s counter-terrorism bill that terror suspects were emerging ‘left field,’ and moving ‘very fast,’ to carry out plots.

It was also said that extremists are targeting Britain ahead of America and other European countries.

Concerns are growing for more than 400 foreign children missing from local authority care across Britain . It is feared they may have been trafficked into the sex or drug trade.

The figures were disclosed in a Freedom of Information request by a national British newspaper. Children from Africa, Asia and eastern Europe have vanished from safe houses and foster homes around the country’s airports and ports.

68 children from countries such as India , Albania and Afghanistan have disappeared from the care of Kent Country Council, responsible for protecting children trafficked through Dover and Folkestone.

According to reports from 16 local authorities around England ’s ports and airports, over 400 children went missing in the three years from July 2004. Child protection campaigners believe many have been trafficked.

LondonSays, the non-party affiliated London-focused think tank, launched an alternative manifesto for London last week.

The Alternative Manifesto is a collection of essays by experts examining alternative ideas for London all working under the assumption that London is an exciting, multi-cultural, and vibrant city, and with a bit of creative thinking it could be even better.

The first of two documents, this manifesto covers the London economy, transport, crime, sustainability, and community cohesion. Simon Fell, co-founder of LondonSays, said whomever wins on 1st May needs to be prepared to innovate.

Britain’s first counter-extremism think tank says potential terrorists should be sent to rehabilitation centres, where they will spend time with moderate imams.

The Quilliam Foundation, founded by former radical Islamic activists to challenge extremist ideology, launched yesterday at the British Museum . Deputy Director Ed Hussain, formerly a member of the radical group Hizb-ut-Tahrir, said Muslims ‘have to rescue [their] faith from those who have hijacked it.’

The Foundation’s inaugural policy document also suggested encouraging Muslims to wear mainstream clothing, and to avoid what it called ‘Pakistani ethnic attire suitable for a different climate.’

Around 2,500 Indian migrants forced out of Britain by retrospective changes to immigration laws may be allowed to return. The changes were ruled unlawful by the High Court on 8th April, as after a legal challenge by the Highly Skilled Migrants Forum.

The organisation represents migrants who entered Britain under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme between 2002 and 2006 and affected by the retrospective changes. Amit Kapadia from the Highly Skilled Migrants Forum says the Government must allow these migrants to return.

A "silent tsunami" unleashed by costlier food threatens 100million people, the United Nations said yesterday. Aid groups said producers would make things worse if they curbed exports.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain would seek changes to EU biofuels targets if it was shown that planting crops for fuel was driving up food prices, a day after the bloc stood by its plans to boost biofuel use.

The World Food Programme, whose head Josette Sheeran took part in a meeting of experts Brown called on yesterday to discuss the crisis, said a "silent tsunami" threatened to plunge more than 100million people on every continent into hunger.

Riots in poor Asian and African countries have followed steep rises in food prices caused by many factors: expensive fuel, bad weather, rising disposable incomes boosting demand and the conversion of land to grow crops for biofuel.

The School of Oriental and African Studies will be giving members of the public the chance to discuss the issues on racism in Britain this evening.

Some of the key issues that will be discussed are the war on terror, multiculturalism and community segregation, with a panel from all fields and backgrounds.

Companies should pay for immigrant workers to learn English, Hazel Blears said yesterday. The Communities Secretary told MPs that legislation may be considered if negotiations with organisations benefiting from overseas labour failed to reach agreement on voluntary contributions toward lessons.

Language skills have been made a centre plank of the Government’s immigration policy, with anyone intending to stay more than a short time expected to learn English.

A quarter of police forces is routinely releasing illegal immigrants and telling them to make their own way to the nearest immigration office, figures show.

Nine illegal immigrants went missing after they were given free train tickets by police and allowed to travel unaccompanied to the main centre in Croydon.

Figures obtained under the Freedom Information Act show that 10 out of 43 forces in England and Wales do not detain suspects if the Immigration Service is unavailable.

A Muslim road worker from Birmingham who was tied to railings and force-fed bacon by his colleagues said he feels "ashamed" by what had happened to him. Three of Amjid Mehmood’s colleagues were each jailed for three years last week for their part in the abuse.

A rucksack with protruding wires, made to look like a bomb, was put in Mr Mehmood's locker, and his trousers were set on fire whilst he was wearing them.

Mr Mehmood urged anyone else being bullied to contact the authorities. The 9-month campaign of abuse from autumn 2005 to summer 2006 came to light when he told police.

A court has heard that an Asian doctor at a Norfolk hospital sexually assaulted a 13 year old patient after falsely telling her she was pregnant.

Norwich Crown Court heard Rashid Sandhu carried out unnecessary examinations of a sexual nature under the guise of performing a termination. He also asked the girl if he could take photos of her naked body.

Mr. Sandhu, who denies sexual assault, worked at James Paget Hospital, Gorleston.

Hundreds staged protests in the Bangladeshi capital earlier against a shortage of drinking water, defying a ban on such demonstrations. Hundreds of residents, carrying empty water cans, gathered in the streets demanding an end to the water and power shortages that have in the past sparked violent protests. Authorities have asked the army to help supervise the distribution of water in the city.

Falling levels of underground water resources and lack of power to run water pumps has led to a serious shortfall of drinking water in Dhaka, a city with a popluation of 11million, officials said.

Bangladesh is governed by an army-backed interim administration that has under a state of emergency imposed last year banned all public protests.

Shares in India's biggest IT services firm, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), have tumbled after it missed analysts' profit targets for its last quarter.

TCS, part of the conglomerate Tata Holdings, saw its shares drop 10% on fears that some of its biggest US clients are cutting their IT budgets. It is thought this stunted the firm's January to March period when net income rose 7% to 12.56billion rupees.

But the firm was upbeat with plans to grow outside the slowing US economy.

A Tooting man was hacked to death after being chased into a fast food restaurant by an armed gang, a court heard.

An Old Bailey jury was told Prabaskaran Kannan along with two friends jumped over the counter past horrified staff at Chicken Cottage, in Upper Tooting Road, to escape six members of a rival Tamil gang.

Arunan Thanabalasingham, 22, ran through the shop and jumped over a fence outside the back entrance and escape with a broken tooth. Naresh Mylvaganam, 29, began climbing the fence but was knocked off when he was struck by a cricket bat.

The gang then caught and stabbed Mr Kannan several times. Police found him dead in a pool of blood at the scene.

Police have seized several computers after receiving complaints about "inflammatory" posters and leaflets displayed during a Muslim festival. Police said the posters, displayed during the annual "March for Mohammed" in Burton upon Trent on 23rd March, allegedly contained anti-US remarks.

Five addresses in the town were searched and literature seized, but no one was arrested, a spokesman added.

The march was attended by about 300 people last month and is held to celebrate the Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

Javier Solana, European Union foreign policy chief has urged Pakistan to resist talking with al-Qaeda in order to quell tribal militancy on the Afghanistani borders.

In a news conference in Islamabad he said that al-Qaeda leaders were operating outside Pakistan's law and constitution, giving a firm "no" response when questioned whether he supported the idea of Pakistan negotiating with them.

A spokesman for Taliban fighters in Pakistan has welcomed the release of a well known militant leader. On Monday night the authorities set free Maulana Sufi Mohammad, the founder of an outlawed Islamist group that has fought in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He was released under an agreement to renounce violence and help restore peace in the north west valley of Swat. Pakistan's new government is trying to deal with Islamic militancy through dialogue and development.

Research suggests that British South Asian electors are more likely to turn out to vote than the rest of the population.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report of February 2007, Hindus and Sikhs are most likely to vote of all the religious groups common in the South Asian electorate.

With the Mayoral elections coming up on May 1st, Anant Vyas, Executive Representative for Hindu Council UK is encouraging Asians to vote.

Respect MP and London Assembly candidate George Galloway has introduced an Early Day Motion on behalf of workers in the UK curry restaurant industry.

He is urging all Indian, Chinese and Turkish restaurant workers to petition their MPs to support the motion. He introduced the motion after speaking to restaurant workers at a rally in Traflagar Square on Sunday.

A petrol station is reportedly charging £1.45 for a litre of diesel, in response to speculation of a fuel shortage in Scotland and the north of England.

The garage in Kirkcaldy is also thought to have raised petrol prices to £1.25. It has been sparked by fears of a strike at the Grangemouth oil refinery.

The Sri Lankan government said on Tuesday that an official probe into rights abuses will continue, despite the withdrawal of foreign observers who criticised a "lack of political will to find the truth".

The withdrawal came after the observers claimed government interference whilst overseeing the Presidential commission of inquiry into rights abuses in Sri Lanka, and piled more pressure on Colombo over its rights record during the 25 year civil war.

The Government's pledge follows 52 Tamil Tiger rebels and 15 soldiers being killed in further clashes in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka, the country's Defence Ministry says. Fighting broke out at 0200 local time, around 8:30pm last night, in the Tiger stronghold of Muhamalai.

Fighting in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a formal ceasefire deal with Tamil Tiger rebels. At least 70,000 people have died since the war began in 1983.

Pakistani coalition leaders vowed on Tuesday to honour a commitment to reinstate judges dismissed by President Pervez Musharraf, and said any disagreements over the issue would not disrupt their alliance.

"The desire of those who think this coalition should break up will go unfulfilled," former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said as he sppoke with Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the Pakistan People's Party and widower of Benazir Bhutto, at a joint news conference in Islamabad.

Neither Sharif or Zardari hold any office in government, but they lead the two largest parties in the coalition.

The Afghanistan Interior Ministry have reported the abduction of two Indian road workers on Monday in the western province of Herat. It has been claimed the pair and their driver were seized in the Adraskan district of Herat by unknown people, although police suspect Taliban insurgents to be responsible.

Adraskan lies on a main highway, a known site of militant and criminal activity. Several foreigners and dozens of Afghans have been kidnapped in the Herat and Farah provinces in the past year, mainly by criminal gangs, with many freed after the apparent payment of ransom.

The Attorney General has lost an appeal to extend the jail term of convicted would be terrorist Sohail Qureshi. Mr Qureshi, from east London, is expected to be freed in about a year after the Court of Appeal refused to increase his sentence.

He was jailed for 4.5 years in January after he admitted planning to carry out a terrorist mission.

The Lord Chief Justice said any direct link between Qureshi and actual acts of terrorism was "relatively remote".

A television programme, alleging corruption in hockey by the Federation Secretary, has led to calls from the Sports Minister on Tuesday, urging national hockey chiefs to resign.

The programme, broadcast on popular Hindi language channel Aaj Tak on Monday, made allegations against K.Jothikumaran and has plunged the game into a national crisis. Jothikumaran has since commented that the allegations were false and he would "keep away" until an investigation was conducted.

However, Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill has requested his resignation, and also called for Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) President Kanwar Pal Singh Gill to step down.

Hundreds have flocked to a remote Indian village to see a baby girl who was saved by stray dogs after being abandoned in a mound of mud by her mother.

Villagers in the eastern state of Bihar saved the newborn last weekend after they saw three dogs barking near a baby covered in mud. Police said that they were looking for the girl’s mother who they believe left her to die. The girl has since been adopted.

Amnesty International has welcomed the decision by Pakistan’s new government to ratify a key human rights treaty, but added that the authorities should now grasp this opportunity to address the pressing human rights problems in the country.

Parliamentary All Party Punjabis in Britain Group are holding a vigil outside the Pakistan High Commission tomorrow to voice their concerns over the continuing use of the death penalty in Pakistan.

The vigil comes just a week before the execution of a man who has been held on Death Row for 18 years and could be the victim of mistaken identity. The Pakistani authorities believe he is Manjit Singh, but their Indian counterpart claim he is Sarabjit Singh.

Goldshield, the drugmaker at the centre of price-fixing allegations was yesterday dealt a blow when the Serious Fraud Office said it would pursue its prosecution of the company.

The SFO has been mounting a case against a group of generic companies and executives. It alleges that prices of medicines supplied to the National health Service were fixed.

Ajit Patel, a former chief executive of Goldshield, and Kirti Patel, a former chief operating officer, are two defendants in the fraud prosecution being pursued by SFO.

Liberal Democrat bosses were thrown into turmoil last night as they were found to have broadcasted TV adverts on four satellite Bengali channels, which is a breach of election law.

Brian Paddick is yet to disown the advert from which he could well be the beneficiary to the thousand of votes. Ofcom and the Electoral Commission are now investigating this after receiving complaints.

At the heart of Mumbai, surrounded by skyscrapers, is Asia's largest slum, Dharavi. It spreads over 525 acres and is home to more than 1million people.

Dharavi may seem like any other: full of dirt, filth and sewage, but what maybe an eyesore for most of the city's residents is also a recycling marvel. The slum is home to thousands of small-scale recycling factories and it’s an industry that employs almost 200,000 people.

Most of the waste is collected from various households and commercial buildings by housemaids and servants who then bring it to Dharavi for recycling.

Gordon Brown is facing a new battle over key anti-terrorism laws this week with the High Court set to rule against powers to freeze suspects’ bank accounts.

Five men who deny any link to terrorism and have no previous convictions are challenging the government’s powers to freeze bank accounts, stop benefit payments and control the spending of people, it has designated as terrorist suspects. The judgement is to be delivered on Thursday by Mr Justice Collins.

UK WELCOMES TALKS WITH PAKISTAN MILITANTS
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 15:43

Britain has welcomed Pakistan’s decision to open talks with militant Islamists – but only with groups which renounce violence. The announcement comes as Pakistan releases Sufi Mohammad, jailed in November 2001 for leading thousand to fight in Afghanistan during the US led invasion.

Previously both Britain and America opposed deals with militants in Pakistan’s tribal regions, saying the deals allowed al-Qaeda to regroup and re attack US and UK forces in Afghanistan.

More than 300 Pakistani troops have died in fierce fighting with militants in the tribal border areas in the last year, and military force is having little success in combating the insurgents. Violence has, however, decreased since Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani called for talks with militants.

SURVEILLANCE SHOWN OF JULY 7 BOMBERS
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Surveillance pictures of 2 of the 7th July suicide bombers meeting a suspected terrorist at a McDonald's restaurant have been shown to a jury. Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shezhad Tanweer were pictured with a man called Ausman whose activities were being monitored by the security services.

The images were shown at the trial of Waheed Ali, accused of assisting them. The jury heard Khan, Tanweer and Ali were caught chatting on camera at the outlet in Crawley. The three Leeds men deny conspiring to cause explosions between 2004 and 2005.

GROUPS REQUEST ADOPTION OF MECCA TIME
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Muslim scientists and clerics have called for Mecca Time to replace Greenwich Mean Time.

It has been reported the suggestion was made at a conference and justified by the assertion that the holy city in Saudi Arabia was perfectly aligned to magnetic north, unlike GMT.

The scientists and clerics argue that Greenwich Mean Time is purely a colonial remnant.

LONDON OLYMPICS MAY HARM EAST END LOCALS
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

East London's poorest people and communities, including the large Bengali community resident in the borough of Tower Hamlets, are at risk of being "trampled in the Olympic gold rush", a study by a think-tank has warned.

The report by the New Economics Foundation said the Games' legacy may not benefit locals as only 11% of all contracts had gone to local businesses. It also said that local people could be priced out of the housing market.

SHAFILEA’S PARENTS COURT BID TO OVERTURN CORONER’S VERDICT
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

The parents of a murdered Asian teenager have launched a bid to overturn a coroner's verdict that she was unlawfully killed. An inquest into the death of Shafilea Ahmed, 17, heard she had suffered a `very vile murder' before her body was found by a river.

Her parents, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed, were arrested on suspicion of her kidnap but were released without charge. The inquest heard that Shafilea feared an arranged marriage and had previously run away from home in Warrington.

NOTTINGHAM RESIDENTS OPPOSE MOSQUE
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Residents of West Bridgeford in Nottingham are opposing plans for a new mosque. They say it will increase levels of noise and traffic. 300 signatures have been handed in to Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Developers said care had been taken to ensure the plan was in accordance with local planning policies. The Borough Council said a consultation was taking place to assess issues such as location, design and traffic, and any objections would be considered as part of the application.

10TH YEAR FOR LABOUR FRIENDS OF INDIA
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Today marks the 10th year of Labour Friends of India which takes place in London. Labour Friends of India is an independent parliamentary group whose key aim is to promote understanding and appreciation among Labour Parliamentarians about India and to develop good long term relations between the Governments, Parliaments and Peoples of the UK and India.

Labour Friends of India was set up in 1999, and meet each year to address the future of the bilateral relationship and its significance for Britain.

MINISTER EXPECTS LIFTING OF PAKISTAN'S COMMONWEALTH SUPENSION
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Pakistan expects to be readmitted to the Commonwealth at a meeting of the 53-nation group next month, according to the country's Foreign Minister. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, will meet in London on 12th May to review the suspension.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a news conference with his British counterpart, David Miliband, on Monday that they had discussed Pakistan's re-entry to the group of mostly former British colonies.

"I am expecting a very positive outcome," Qureshi said. A Commonwealth spokesman said last week a lot of the conditions set in November had been addressed.

Miliband, who is visiting Pakistan, said Britain had been "absolutely clear" it was right for Pakistan to have left the Commonwealth in November. "But equally, I want Britain to be a leading voice calling for Pakistan's re-entry into the Commonwealth and to re-enter into the Commonwealth family where it belongs," Miliband told the news conference.

The Commonwealth suspended Pakistan in 1999, but re-admitted the country in 2004 in recognition that democratic progress had been made.

GRAVESTONE OF FIRST SIKH MIGRANT FOUND
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

The gravestone of the first Sikh woman to migrate to Britain has been discovered in London’s Kensal Green Cemetery. The stone, marking the life and death of Maharani Jinda Kaur, was discovered by accident, found under tonnes of rubble, dirt and human remains in the disused Dissenters Chapel.

She died on 1st August 1863 – proving Sikhs have lived in Britain for nearly 150 years. The rare discovery has been hailed by local historians and the Sikh community, who have now placed it for permanent display at the Ancient House Museum in Thetford.

POLICE OFFICER RESIGNS AFTER RACIST ALLEGATIONS
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

A policeman from Northumbria has resigned after allegations he stored racist images on a mobile phone. PC Mark Pearson was suspended earlier this year.

He denies being racist, and says the incident has been blown out of proportion. He said the reasons for his resignation were personal.

TAMIL TIGER RAIDS CONTINUE
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Air raids by Sri Lankan government planes and other fighting have left 47 rebels dead since the weekend, after three Tamil Tiger boats off the northern coast were bombed on Monday. The fighting and the air attacks were the latest in regular land, sea and air battles that have left thousands dead in recent months.

The rebels said in a statement that an air raid on Saturday in the Mullaithivu area had wounded two civilians and destroyed newly built homes for survivors of the 2004 tsunami, and also blamed the military for the killing of a Catholic priest in a roadside bomb attack on Sunday.

The Air Force denied attacking a church and targeting civilians. An estimated 70,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in 1983.

ASIAN SHOPKEEPER JAILED FOR TRAFFICKING
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

An Asian shopkeeper involved in a human trafficking ring, which made millions of pounds from people smuggling, has been jailed for 5 years.

Asif Patel, 32, from Lancashire, who helped bring thousands of Indian nationals into Britain with fake passports, was caught when police raided his home in 2006 during an investigation into illegal immigration.

He was found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK at Leicester Crown Court in January and sentenced yesterday. The court had heard his role in the scam included handling payments from clients, who paid £8,000 for passage to Britain.

POLL BAN ON NON-GRADUATES LIFTED
DATE: 22.04.08
Updated: 12:43

Pakistan's Supreme Court has overturned a law that allowed only graduates to contest parliamentary elections. A 7-member bench said that it was a violation of the constitution to exclude non-graduates.

The rule was introduced by President Musharraf before elections in 2002. Critics say it excluded 96% of Pakistani voters from parliament.

An Asian man has been charged with the murder of a father-of-two after his DNA, taken during an earlier arrest, matched that of the murderer, a Birmingham court heard. Mohammed Sabir, 22, was shot 16 times with a sub machine gun in Birmingham in April 2003.

Police raided the home of Mohammed Rafiq, 42, in Kingstanding, Birmingham, after routine DNA checks confirmed a match, the city's Crown Court heard.

The murder weapon was allegedly found under Mr Rafiq's pillow along with other firearms. He denies murder but has admitted possessing the weapons.

A father-of-four has been given a criminal record for overfilling his wheelie bin by 4 inches. Gareth Corkhill from Whitehaven in Cumbria, whose rubbish is collected every fortnight, was fined for leaving the lid open.

Copeland Borough Council says this is against their rules, which are designed to stop them overflowing. The 26 year old was taken to court after he didn't pay the fixed penalty notice.

The Chancellor meets with mortgage lenders later today. It comes a day after Alistair Darling gave his backing to a £50billion rescue package for Britain's banks and building societies.

He says the cash injection will allow lenders caught up in the credit crisis to start passing interest rate cuts on to their customers.

Almost 7million households are in debt to their energy suppliers. Research has found a quarter of customers owe an average of £114.

Figures from regulator Ofgem show 2million customers are in debt repayment programmes.

BAA received its first indication of whether they will have to break up their UK airport empire today, which "may not be serving well the interests of either airlines or passengers" according to the Competition Commission.

The Commission stressed it had yet to reach any conclusions, but that suggestions will be made in August, which may require the sale of one or more of its 7 UK airports.

There have been calls for BAA's monopoly to end, with some opponents pointing to the continuing chaos at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

An Islamic bank will be launched in London today, reaffirming the City’s status as the leading western financial centre for this fast-growing sector.

Gatehouse Bank is the 5th Islamic bank to be awarded a licence in Britain. The timing of the launch, set amidst the turbulence of the credit crisis, demonstrates the resilience of Sharia-compliant finance as compared with conventional banks.

Britain is the only country in the European Union to have licensed Islamic banks. The government has seen the development of Islamic finance as a way of building bridges with the 2million Muslims who live in the UK.

An international aid group has pulled out of Sri Lanka, saying they have no confidence in the Government investigation into a massacre of 17 of their workers nearly two years ago. A spokeswoman for Action Against Hunger confirmed the withdrawal.

This is the latest criticism of the Government’s investigation of human rights abuses – last month an international panel of experts monitoring the investigation resigned.

The panel said the investigation did not meet international standards and the Government was reluctant to properly investigate the incidents.

Britain will push for changes in European Union biofuels targets if a review shows rising biofuels production drives up food prices and harms the environment, Gordon Brown said on Tuesday. The Prime Minister is due to meet development experts and retail and farmers' representatives later on Tuesday to work on a plan to tackle rising food prices.

The review of the environmental and economic effects of biofuels production was called for in February, and will look closely at the impact on food prices and the environment of different fuel production methods.

The EU's executive Commission said on Monday it stood by its target of getting 10 percent of road transport fuel from crops and agricultural waste by 2020, despite criticism it could contribute to food shortages.

PAKISTAN TO PRESENT RESOLUTION ON RESTORING JUDGES
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

Pakistan's new governement plans to present a resolution in Parliament calling for judges, fired by President Pervez Musharraf when he imposed emegency rule in November, to be restored to power.

It will be the first major legislative challenge to Musharraf by the new government, and will be presented by 25th April. The resolution, finalised today by leaders of the government coalition, will call for the restoration to office of about 60 judges from the Supreme Court and provincial High Courts.

The issue has become a matter of public anticipation in Pakistan, because the reinstatement of the judges, including Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry to the post of Chief Justice, would call into question Musharraf's legitimacy and survival.

LIVINGSTONE DEFENDS EXTREMIST BACKERS
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

Ken Livingstone has defended his decision to speak alongside a homophobic Islamist preacher in July 2004. Egyptian cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi called homosexuality an 'unnatural and evil practise', and claimed the Koran sanctioned wife beating. He also said victims of the Asian tsunami were punished by Allah for their countrymen's perversions.

Mr. Livingstone said that while he did not agree with some of his views, Mr. al-Qaradawi did not support terrorism and condemned al-Qa'eda. Mr. Livingstone's support for figures such as Mr. al-Qaradawi has won him controversial supporters such as Azzam Tamimi, a Palestinian supporter of Hamas, which supports the destruction of Israel.

Research commissioned by a Sunday paper put Mr. Livingstone 1 point ahead of his Tory rival Boris Johnson, making the race a dead heat likely to be decided by second choice votes.

CURRY RESTAURANT WORKERS PROTEST AGAINST IMMIGRATION LAWS
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

Groups representing 44,000 Chinese, Turkish and South Asian restaurants gathered in Trafalgar Square in London yesterday to protest against recent changes to immigration laws. The Ethnic Catering Alliance estimates up to 30% of its restaurants are under threat because of new rules requiring non-EU staff to meet strict criteria.

The protest comes after the launch of the new points-based system at the end of February for migrants from outside the EU, which favours highly skilled workers. Bajalou Rashid of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK says this has left its members unable to recruit trained Bangladeshi cooks and critically short of staff, threatening the future of the industry.

TEENAGE BOMBER SUSPECTED TO BE PART OF TERROR GROUP
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

Police are investigating whether the teenage suspect involved in the controlled explosions in Bristol may be part of a wider group in the west country. Officers from Scotland Yard's Counter Terrorism Command are working alongside local police, with security sources now looking into the case to see if any other parties, had some involvement in the blasts.

Neighbours and other sources have spoken of how Andrew Ibrahim’s character and appearance have taken a drastic change. Indications of his movements such as cash withdrawals and phone calls will be investigated, along with family and known associates called in for interviewing.

POLICE SEARCHING FOR SUSPECTS IN SOUTHALL PARK ATTACK
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

A gang of six youths set upon two 14 year olds from Southall and Greenford at 8:30pm on Thursday. The attack took place in Southall recreation park which left one of the victims with a broken hand.

The gang are Asian and aged 16 to 18. One of the youths was carrying a large ceremonial sword. The attack is said to have been unprovoked and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

PRIEST KILLED IN SRI LANKAN BOMB BLAST
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

A Roman Catholic priest and human rights activist has been killed by a roadside bomb in an area held by the Tamil Tiger rebels, reports say.

The Tamil Tigers say Reverend Karunaratnam died when government soldiers detonated the device as he was returning from a service in Wanni. The military have denied any involvement, blaming the rebels for the blast.

A rebel website says the priest played a key role in providing psychological support for those affected by the war.

INDIAN MIGRANTS RETURN TO INDIA FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

The chances of a luxurious life style are tempting back thousands of highly skilled Indians from the West back to their homeland. Indian politicians are beginning to highlight the emerging phenomenon of "Brain Gain", which sees large numbers of Indian-born executives finding job opportunities and living conditions just as good in India as it is in the USA and London.

People are now returning to India and many who have considered a move away are now staying. The flow of reverse migration highlights the strength of India’s economy.

Yusuf Hatia, India Vice President of the public relations firm Fleishman Hillard says that long term prospects for a working life in India are currently on the rise but are also an advantage for many financially and economically.

CLAIMS MIGRANTS ARE JUMPING HOUSING QUEUES ARE UNFOUNDED
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

New research says the claim immigrants are being offered social housing ahead of other groups, including white families, is a myth. The Institute for Public Policy Research found 60% of those who arrived in Britain in the last 5 years are living in privately rented accommodation, and most new migrants are not eligible for social housing.

Last year Culture Minister Margaret Hodge caused controversy by claiming the housing system prioritises new migrant families over more established members of the community. The study found that out of 10.1 million council tenants in Britain, just over 1 million were born outside the UK, while 9 million were UK-born. Less than 2% of tenants arrived in Britain less than 5 years ago.

BANKS PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STABILISE CREDIT CRISIS
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

An estimated £50billion of taxpayer's money is to be pumped into high street mortgage lenders from the Bank of England. Alistair Darling is hoping it will lead to cheaper deals and stop the housing market slipping even further.

Under the proposal, banks will be allowed to exchange mortgage debts for more secure government finance to ease operation during the credit squeeze.

The Chancellor is due to make a Commons statement later. The cash injection will be the largest ever by the Bank of England.

The Royal Bank of Scotland may also ask its shareholders for up to £12billion. The bank, which also owns Natwest, is confirming that it is considering a rights issue. A further announcement is promised in due course.

Meanwhile, the Council of Mortgage Lenders wants the Government to offer better short term support for people paying off home loans. Work and Pensions minister Stephen Timms is meeting with bosses to discuss the problems faced by borrowers.

MODERATE MUSLIMS FACE HATE CAMPAIGN
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

A new think-tank designed to counter Islamic extremism says it has been the target of a hate campaign. The Quilliam Foundation, which is backed by former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown, Conservative MP Michael Grove, Jemima Khan and Muslim & non-Muslim scholars will be launched on Tuesday.

Its co-director, Ed Hussain, a former activist of the Islamist political group Hizb ut-Tahrir, said his colleagues have been the target of death threats, intimidating calls and emails.

INDIA INFLATION DECREASING
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

The Indian Trade Minister says inflation is beginning to decline and he expects it to decrease further, though further steps to reduce inflation may be taken, such as banning futures trading in essential commodities.

Inflation reached a three year high at the end of March, at nearly 7.5% – but by 5th April the rate had decreased to less than 7.25%, according to the Government. Trade Minister Kamal Nath said controlling inflation was such a priority the Government was prepared to control it at the expense of the country's growth rate.

The Government has already ordered several duty cuts and export bans in recent weeks to ease price pressures.

ZARDARI HAS NO POWER TO CONFRONT MUSHARRAF
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

The widower of assassinated Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto, whose party heads a coalition government, said he does not have the power to confront President Pervez Musharraf. Asif Ali Zardari said he did not have the power to upset the relationship between the President, Parliament and the Government.

Mr Zardari also said ‘we do not want to harm the country by way of confrontation.’ Zardari has formed a coalition with the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the man Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup and who is now determined to force Musharraf from power.

A confrontation between the unpopular Musharraf, a major U.S. security ally, and the new government could prolong instability in nuclear-armed Pakistan.

UK FACES A RACE COLD WAR
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

The head of Britain’s race relations watchdog says lack of control over immigration has led to a racial cold war among rival ethnic minorities. Trevor Philips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, believes that the failed policy risks inflaming racism among young mothers and working professionals.

In a wide ranging interview ahead of his speech to mark the 40th anniversary of Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘Rivers of Blood’ address, Mr Philips emphasised that he did not believe too many immigrants had come to Britain. He also wants to highlight that mismanaged policy had raised fears in the resident population about the impact of so many migrants on daily life.

OCR PUTS GCSE GUJARATI AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15

A leading UK Awarding Body of examination, OCR, has put GCSE Gujarati on top of its agenda, offering courses starting in September 2009. Community languages like Gujarati are becoming very important to 3rd and 4th generation Indians living in England and Wales.

Parool Patel, recently appointed as Head of GCSE Project for OCR, believes that learning an additional language will stretch a child’s skills from a language spoken solely in the home to a more formally recognised qualification.

PAKISTAN TESTS SECOND NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MISSILE
DATE: 21.04.08
Updated: 15:15