news digest

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India may slap legal notice on British auction house

NEW DELHI, Jun 30: India is considering slapping a legal notice on British auction house Christie's to stop the sale of a rare manuscript of Mahatma Gandhi written 19 days before his assassination in 1948 and is keeping open the option of acquiring it in the bidding. The legal recourse was discussed both in Delhi and London since in 1997 auction of a Gandhiji's letter was aborted after a notice was served on the auction house. The letter was sent to the Navjiwan Trust, which has the copywright of all Gandhiji's writings — PTI.

US agents uncover tunnel straddling Mexico border

PHOENIX, (Arizona), June 30: US and Mexico authorities Friday announced the discovery of a 100-yard long cross-border tunnel used by drug smugglers in the southwestern state of Arizona. The tunnel was unearthed in the border town of Nogales, running from the utility room of a house on the American side to a residence across the border in Mexico, officials said —AFP.

US soldier in Iraq gets jail for relations with servicewomen

BAGHDAD, June 30: A US soldier was handed a four-month jail term and demoted in rank for having "intimate relationships" with two junior servicewomen in his unit, the military said on Saturday. In the latest scandal to hit the US military in Iraq, Sergeant Major Edward Ramsdell, who attempted to escape custody, was also convicted for possessing alcohol and pornography, a military statement said. "Ramsdell engaged in intimate relationships with two junior non- commissioned officers in his unit," the statement said — AFP.

Himesh's effigy burnt; film screening disrupted

VARANASI, Jun 30: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) workers Friday tried to disrupt the screening of singer-cum-actor Himesh Reshammiya's film 'Aap Ka Suroor' at a theatre here, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments by visiting the Ajmer dargah wearing a burqa. The RLD activists led by one Iqbal Ahmad congregated at the Saajan theatre and burnt the effigy of Reshammiya and posters of the film, shouting slogans against him — AFP.

Advani tells ruling coalition to withdraw Pratibha Patil

NEW DELHI, Jun 30: Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani Friday made an "appeal" to the ruling alliance to replace United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-Left Presidential nominee Pratibha Patil with any other suitable candidate of its choice in the backdrop of allegations levelled against her. In a statement here, he cited allegations against Patil as head of a co-operative bank and charges by a woman that the former Rajasthan governor's brother was involved in a murder — PTI.

IMF chief Rato quitting for personal reasons

WASHINGTON, Jun 30: International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Rodrigo de Rato will quit the Fund in October without completing his five-year term which ends in May 2009. "I have taken this decision for personal reasons. My family circumstances and responsibilities, particularly with regard to the education of my children, are the reasons for relinquishing earlier than expected my responsibilities at the Fund," Rato said in a communication to the IMF executive board Thursday — AFP.

Pakistan may turn into America's jailer

ISLAMABAD, June 30: Pakistan is preparing special cells to house Guantanamo detainees who may be shifted to the country with the US administration under pressure to close down the detention facility on the Cuban island, a news report has said. A top Pakistani official said a special facility has already been built in Faisalabad, adjacent to Faisalabad Central Prison. Another such facility is under construction in Multan and is expected to be completed within the next few months — PTI.

Democrats sharpen "arrows" on Iraq

WASHINGTON, June 30: Anti-war Democrats fine- tuned a new line of attack over Iraq Friday, hoping to exploit President George W. Bush's political woes with a fresh call for troop withdrawal timetables. "We have many arrows in our quiver, and we are sharpening them," said House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, as members of Congress left town for a week-long Independence Day recess —AFP.