March 17, 2006	Friday	Safar 16, 1427

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US to work for better Pakistan-India ties: Kashmir recognised as problem WASHINGTON, March 16: The Bush administration’s new policy for South Asia, released with the national security strategy on Thursday, emphasises the need to further promote bilateral relations between India and Pakistan....		Security strategy: salient features WASHINGTON, March 16: The US national security strategy report released on Thursday highlights some of the dangers and threats the United States and the international community face....
India plans major military expansion in Andamans KOLKATA, March 16: India will soon start a major expansion of its military presence in the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a year after the Asian tsunami wrecked defence bases there, a top commander said on Thursday....		Bush govt slams move against Tehran WASHINGTON, March 16: The Bush administration says that a new bill, approved overwhelmingly by a congressional committee, would complicate US diplomatic efforts to build an international front against Iran....
Iraqi assembly holds opening session BAGHDAD, March 16: Iraq’s new parliament opened on Thursday three months after elections but continuing deadlock on forming a government and choosing a speaker forced the chamber to adjourn after only a brief session....		Facts about parliament WHAT WILL PARLIAMENT DO? The Council of Representatives is a unicameral legislature of 275 members. They must elect by a two-thirds majority a speaker and nominate a three-man presidency council, consisting of Iraq’s president and two vice presidents....
Abizaid says US may retain bases WASHINGTON, March 16: The United States may want to keep a long-term military presence in Iraq to bolster moderates against extremists in the region and protect the flow of oil, the...		Congress gets bill on India deal WASHINGTON, March 16: The Bush administration sent on Thursday a bill to the US Congress proposing legislation on the US-India Civilian Nuclear Agreement. The bill was introduced in both the House...
Iran ready for talks with US on Iraq WASHINGTON, March 16: The United States on Thursday ruled out any direct discussions with Iran on the nuclear standoff after an Iranian official expressed his government’s willingness to engage in discussions about the situation in Iraq....		Bush’s rating at new low WASHINGTON, March 16: A new poll released on Thursday not only shows the lowest-ever job approval rating for President Bush but also an electorate that now wants Democrats to control the US Congress instead of the Republicans....
Russia hoping for $9bn arms sale to India MOSCOW, March 16: Russia has sold 10 billion dollars of arms to India over the last five years and contracts worth nine billion are in the pipeline, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov said on Thursday....		Latin America, Asia breaking free of Washington’s grip WASHINGTON: The prospect that Europe and Asia might move towards greater independence has troubled US planners since the second world war. The concerns have only risen as the “tripolar order” — Europe, North America and Asia — has continued to evolve....
UN referral of Iran in 1951 humiliated UK AHMAD ABAD: Standing before the hallowed chambers of the UN Security Council, the charismatic Iranian leader confronted his adversaries with the combative defiance that was his hallmark....		Doctors in uncharted waters as medicine trials go wrong LONDON: Doctors in Britain admitted on Thursday that they were in uncharted waters as they tried to save the lives of six young men who became violently ill from clinical trials of a new drug....
Syria still seen as key player in Lebanon BEIRUT: Despite its troop pullout from Lebanon, Syria still has the last word on whether pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud should heed calls for his resignation and on the choice of any successor, analysts say....		Chechen leader defies Kremlin MOSCOW: The Kremlin praises Ramzan Kadyrov as fearless in battling Chechnya’s militants, but he has stealthily gained more independence for his Caucasus region than the separatists had before Russia sent troops to destroy them....