Pull out from Gulf, Taliban tells U.S.
Islamabad, Sept. 24 The Taliban supremo, Mullah Omar, today said the United States should withdraw its forces from the Gulf and support the cause of the Palestinians if it was serious in addressing the issue of terrorism.

Defend Afghans: Osama
Dubai, Sept. 24. Qatar's al-Jazeera satellite television on Monday quoted Osama as urging Pakistanis to fight any assault on Afghanistan by ``crusader Americans''.

U.S. forces within striking distance of Afghanistan
Washington, Sept. 24. Amid reports that special U.S. and British forces are already on the ground in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Bush administration is going no further than saying that its forces are ``within'' striking distance of the targets in the Taliban-controlled country.

Osama's assets frozen
Washington, Sept. 24. To choke the financial lifeline of the Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden, and his Al Qaeda network, the Bush administration has frozen his assets and instructed the Treasury department to take stringent action against foreign establishments having any connection with the entity.

PoK militants closing shop?
New Delhi, Sept. 24. India has reasons to believe that under American pressure, Islamabad has asked militants operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to close shop.

SC notice to Centre
New Delhi, Sept. 24. The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu and Kerala Governments on a petition seeking a direction not to raise the water level in the Mullaiperiyar Dam above 136 ft.

High alert along international border
Chandigarh, Sept. 24. While Pakistan faces escalating tension over impending U.S. strikes against Afghanistan, India has put in place a contingency plan to facilitate speedy evacuation of foreign nationals fleeing that country, as well as maintaining a extremely high alert along the International Border.

Ordinance to be repealed
New Delhi, Sept. 24. The Union Cabinet today decided to repeal an ordinance that was issued in 1941 to provide for maintenance of certain essential services during World War II.

'U.S. will not accept n-tests'
Washington, Sept. 24. The White House has said that the lifting of sanctions against India and Pakistan does not signal that the United States will accept nuclear tests in return for support to the National Missile Defence plan.