AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

        Iraqi doctor Bilal Abdulla, who was arrested in connection with the failed UK terror plots, has been charged with 'maliciously' conspiring to cause explosions. The 27-year-old Abdullah, who was the passenger of the burning explosives-laden jeep which was allegedly driven by Indian Kafeel Ahmed into the Glasgow Airport last Saturday, has became the first person to be charged over the botched car bomb attacks on London and Glasgow. The driver of the jeep is in hospital with life-threatening burns. The Iraqi doctor appeared before Magistrates in Westminster, central London later Friday. He has been charged with conspiring to cause explosions under the 1883 Explosive Substances Act, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Syringe failure saved what would have been a major attack.

        The Union Flag was flying over Downing Street today after new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown tore up a 'ridiculous' rule on when it could be flown on public buildings. Brown ditched regulations allowing it to be flown on government buildings no more than 18 days each year and saidit was now up to public office to decide when they wanted to fly Britain's national flag. And he vowed to take his forthcoming summer holiday in rainy Britain rather than jet off to sunnier climes — in contrast to his predecessor Tony Blair, who was famous for taking holidays in places like Tuscany and Barbados. Regarded by some as an attempt to boost the Scot's credentials with English voters, Brown had made celebrating Britishness one of his regular themes. Counter to Tony Blair.

        Nepal's King Gyanendra has asked for additional security from the government due to threats by anti-monarchy protesters to disrupt his 60th birthday celebrations this weekend, Home Ministry sources said. student organisations affiliated to the eight major parties said they planned to protest the golden jubilee celebrations, which will start from Friday and last till Sunday. Some 2,000 guests have been invited for Sunday's reception. Saturday could witness a clash of pro- and anti-King groups near the Royal Palace where Gyanendra's supporters plan to hold a rally. Monarchical regime comes to an end almost worldover.

        The outlawed ULFA Friday claimed the Centre was behind a clash in Sibsagar district between a section of the people of Assam and Nagaland. 'The clashes on the border that have been frequently taking place is a result of the indifferent attitude of the Centre in resolving the border problem between the two neighbouring States,' ULFA chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa said in an e-mail to the media. He said it was 'unfortunate that a misunderstanding has been created among the people of the two sister States which have close affinity'. Urging both factions of the NSCN to help in bringing peace in the disturbed areas, the ULFA said people should shun their differences and live as brothers. The banned outfit makes its presence felt.

        Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, contesting for the post of President, may declare his assets Saturday. With senior BJP leader L K Advani having initiated the debate on declaration of Presidential poll candidates, there is a possibility that Shekhawat may declare his assets, BJP sources told Press. Advani had sought a direction from the Election Commission to make it mandatory for Presidential candidates to declare their assets before elections. Shekhawat may declare his assets in a game of one upmanship against his sole rival Pratibha Patil, the UPA-Leftcandidate. Patil, along with her family members, have been facing allegations of financial irregularities from BJP-led NDA which has been repeatedly asking her to come clean before contesting for the top post. Will Prathiba follow suit?

        Charges were framed against the proprietor of a chain of hotels, Rajagopal, and five others in the 2003 Jeevajyothi attempt to murder case in Nagapattinam district court Friday. Jeevajyothi had lodged a complaint with Vedaranyam police in 2003 that a six-member gang led by Rajagopal attempted to kill her on 15 July, 2003 at Thethakudi. The Vedaranyam police registered a case and the trial was being conducted in Thiruthuraipoondi magistrate court. However, following a Madras High Court's order, the case was transferred to the Nagapattinam District Court in April this year. The court Friday posted the case for hearing to 23 July and ordered the accused to be present. No one can escape the clutch of law.

        Bharatiya Jan Sakthi Leader Uma Bharati Friday threatened to observe indefinite fast if the Centre did not stop 'damaging' the Ramar Sethu for the construction of Sethu Samudram Channel Project (SSCP) within a week. Uma Bharathi, who held a demonstration in Rameswaram to protest against 'damaging' the Ramar Sethu for digging the SSCP, said that if Ramar Sethu was promoted as a tourist spot it would bring more revenue than the SSCP in view of its antiquity. She said that she would take up a yatra from Rameswaram to Ayodhya shortly to protest the 'damaging' of the Ramar Sethu adding it was the duty of every Hindu to protect Ramar Sethu. The Central as well as the State bent upo SSCP. It has become a prestige issue for them it seems.

        Protesting the court stay obtained by two mutts against chanting of Tamil mantras — Devaram and Thiruvasagam — in temples in Tamilnadu, over 2,000 priests and archakas observed a fast in the Coimbatore Friday. The fast was organised by Tamilnadu DeivaThamizh Vazhipadurimai Padukappu Kootamaippu, a federation of seven organisations of priests, archakas and swamijis across the state, under the leadership of N R Chenniyappan. The agitators condemned the act of the mutts - Dharumapuram and Thiruppanandal - and alleged that they were acting under the influence of North Indian Mutts. When the Centre had declared Tamil as a classical language, the act by the Mutts against the language and performing traditional poojas and chanting of mantras in Tamil, was totally condemnable, they said. Religion should be left untouched by rulers.

        A fake currency racket was busted with the arrest of a seven-member gang, including two dismissed policemen, who cheated several businessmen and industrialists by giving them fake currency notes in exchange of genuine ones. City Police commissioner Latika Saran told reporters that their modus of operandi was to approach businessmen and industrialists to double the money for the currency they gave to them. When they were about to the deliver the fake currencies after taking geninue currency, the two dismissed police constables, posing as police officials on duty, threatened the industrialists of dare consequences of illegal deal, she said. The businessmen would flee from the spot leaving the geninue currencies, which would be shared among the members of the gang, she said. This the outcome with paper currency. Imitators rejoice.

        The Tamilnadu law mandating surrender of some percentage of seats to Government quota by self- financing colleges and bringing the management quota under counselling was 'misleading, unilateral and wholly arbitrary', Senior counsel Rajeev Dhawan told the Madras High Court on Friday. Resuming his arguments before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice P Jyothimani, Dhawan, appearing for Consortium of Self Financing Professional, Arts and Science Colleges, said the the Act stated that it was based on a consensus arrived at. Though consensus arrived at was only for last year it was carried over to the statute. The legislation sought to make the consensus for all the time to come. Hence the provision was misleading, he added. The Government has to clarify.

        The Election Commission was taking steps to comply with the Madras High Court directions, asking it to take action against AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa for supressing information while filing nominations in four Assembly constituencies in the 2001 Assembly polls, Election Commissioner Navin Chawla said Friday. 'The directions of the Madras High Court will be complied with. We have asked the Chief Electoral officer, Tamilnadu, to take action', he told reporters at the airport in Chennai. The High Court, on 13 June, had directed the Election Commission of India to initiate action against Jayalalithaa in accordance with the law within a period of six weeks, while allowing a Public interest litigation by DMK MP C Kuppusamy. The EC is following the HC directions.

        TAFE Power Source (TPS), a unit company of Amalgamations group, has set up a third plant for manufacturing VRLA batteries at its Maraimalar Nagar Industrial Estate in technical collaboration with BB Battery Co Ltd of China. TPS has entered into an MoU with the Chinese firm in March 2005 for technology transfer and support services for the manufacture of Valve Regulated Lead Acid batteries which would be marketed under the brand Amco Best. Under the buy-back arrangement with its partner, at least 25 - 30 per cent of the production capacity of the third plant would be exported to China. An investment of Rs 70 crore has gone to commission the new facility which would have an initial capacity of three million units per annum.

        Yuvraj Singh's unbeaten 61 saw India to a six-wicket win against South Africa in the third One-Day International at Stormont here on Sunday, a victory that secured the series 2-1. India, chasing 149 to win, finished on 152 for four with four balls to spare in a match reduced by rain to 31 overs per side. Meanwhile, India left to England to play three-Tests and seven one-day Internationals from 19 July to 8 September.

        American tennis player Venus Williams has won her fourth women's title at Wimbledon by scoring a straight-sets victory over Marion Bartoli of France.

        Williams, seeded 23rd at this event, beat the French player easily, 6-4, 6-1. It took only 90 minutes for the American to win the title for the fourth time.