Israeli troops divide Gaza in two as incursion continues

TEL AVIV/GAZA - Israeli troops pushed further into the Gaza Strip Sunday, battling Palestinian gunmen and cutting the enclave in two as they deployed south of Gaza City and seized control of a major road.

Lankan troops capture Kilinochchi railway station

COLOMBO - Fighting their way into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) political capital Kilinochchi, the Sri Lankan military Friday captured the railway station in the well-fortified township, defence sources here said.

LTTE garrison town captured by army: Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - Sri Lankan troops early Thursday captured the strategically important Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) garrison town of Paranthan, which is close to the rebel group’s political hub of Kilinochchi, the defence ministry said in a statement issued here.

Former government employees robbed, murdered in Chennai

CHENNAI - A middle-aged couple, formerly employed with central government organisations, were Thursday found murdered in their house in southern suburb of Chennai, the police said.

Lt. Gen. Thamburaj new Indian Army vice chief

NEW DELHI - Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj Thursday took over as the vice chief of the Indian Army from Lt. Gen. M.L. Naidu, who retired Wednesday.

20 Afghan policemen killed in Taliban ambush

KABUL - At least 20 police personnel have been killed in an ambush by Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan, a senior official said Thursday.

Two Maoists, policeman killed in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR - Two Maoist insurgents were shot dead in a gun battle with police while one policeman was killed in a separate gun fight in Chhattisgarh Monday, an official said.

Israel’s Gaza offensive enters second day, 271 killed (Third lead)

GAZA CITY - Israeli aircraft pounded the Gaza Strip for the second day Sunday, hitting a Hamas headquarters in Gaza City, witnesses said, and bringing to 22 the number of attacks launched against the Islamist movement since Saturday.

Australia to face Pakistan in cricket’s first night Test

MELBOURNE - It is almost certain that the first night cricket Test will see Australia facing Pakistan in the southern hemisphere’s next summer at the Adelaide Oval, most likely in November.

Nepal government signs pact with Terai rebels

KATHMANDU - Nepal’s Maoist-led government Friday held formal talks with an armed rebel group active in the southern Terai plains and signed an agreement as part of its ongoing effort to restore law and order in the troubled lowlands.

Malaysian couple held for molesting teenager

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian police have detained a 50-year-old shaman and his 43-year-old wife who are accused of molesting a teenager during treatment, news reports said Thursday.