Mujib killers appeal
DHAKA, Nov 15 (PTI) — A week after they were sentenced to death for assassinating Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four out of the 15 convicts have moved the High Court against the trial court order. Defence lawyers filed petitions on behalf of three ex-Lt colonels, Syed Farooqur Rahman, Sultan Shariyar Rashid Khan and Mohihuddin and Major (retd) Bazlul Huda.

Snap poll
DHAKA, Nov 15 (PTI) — Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina today rejected the opposition demand for a snap poll and declared that her government will hold elections by year 2,000, a year ahead of schedule only. Reiterating her decision that she would resign ahead of her stipulated tenure to pave way for general elections under the supervision of a caretaker government, Ms Hasina told newspersons here "we want to begin our journey in the 21st century with new hopes and aspirations under a new government".

Trishul fired
KOCHI, Nov 15 (PTI) — Yet another test firing of Trishul, the country’s indigenously developed short range quick reaction surface-to-air-missile, was successfully carried out here today, according to Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) sources. The test firing, the latest in the ongoing series of test flights of the Trishul’s naval version was carried out at 1800 hrs from a special launch pad at INS Dronacharya, the Indian Navy’s offshore establishment in the city. This test comes close on the heels of the successful test firing on November 12.

JD crisis
CHENNAI, Nov 15 (PTI) — Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka S. Siddaramaiah today asserted that there was no crisis in the ruling Janata Dal’s state unit now as the party’s legislature party (JDLP) had passed a resolution authorising Dal President Sharad Yadav to resolve the problems in the unit. The existing differences would be ‘taken care of’ by Mr Yadav, he told reporters during an informal chat here. Asked whether the issue of change in chiefministership of the state was still alive or has been sorted out, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "whether it has been solved or not, I can’t say. It’s for the national president to take the final decision."

4 rebels killed
KATHMANDU, Nov 15 (AFP) — Four Maoist rebels were killed in a clash with the Nepalese police just West of here last night, the authorities said today. The police also detained 118 people at a seminar run by a group considered close to the rebels, who have been fighting a "people’s war" for the past two years that has left hundreds dead. The clash happened in Singhupal Chowk village, 45 km East of here, the police and newspapers said. The police also confiscated arms and ammunition.

Air defence systems
MOSCOW, Nov 15 (UNI) — India is to immediately purchase five or six S-300 PMUI air defence systems and obtain a licence to produce SU-30 fighter planes and three Frigates, Russian Defence analyst Boris Milkailov has said. India is to also build a nuclear-powered submarine by 2004, with Russian assistance, he said, disclosing preliminary data of the Indo-Russian defence deal. Talking about the most ambitious defence collaboration between the two countries, chief designer of the Russian missile system Alexander Lemansky said, "India, without waiting for the new series of the air defence complexes that may take up to 18 months to come out of the production line, is ready to buy the existing ones from the Defence Ministry's stock".

Setback to Taliban
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (Reuters) — Afghan opposition forces loyal to Ahmad Sham Masood said today they had seized a key township from the Taliban militia in northern Afghanistan. Engineer Arif, a spokesman for Masood, told reporters by telephone that Masood's fighters took control of Nahrin township in Baghlan province last night. There was no independent confirmation of the statement and the Taliban made no comment. Nahrin is some 20 km east of Pulikhumri, the provincial capital of Baghlan, and lies on a strategic supply route for Masood's heartland in the Panj Sher valley.