South Asia News - AFP

KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistan presidential hopeful Asif Ali Zardari has moved to a top security location in Islamabad due to fears of attacks being made on his life, the country's prime minister said Friday.

MUMBAI (AFP) - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is in a stable condition and there is no cause for concern over his health, his aides and the private Indian hospital to which he was admitted said Friday.

BHUBANESWAR, India (AFP) - Indian authorities insisted Friday they had halted deadly clashes between Hindus and Christians in the east of the country that have exposed it to stinging criticism.

KABUL (AFP) - The US-led coalition in Afghanistan said Friday its troops had killed around two dozen militants after coming under attack, while Afghan officials reported another dozen rebel deaths.

SRINAGAR, India (AFP) - Thousands of Indian police and paramilitaries were Friday enforcing a strict curfew in Kashmir and intensifying a crackdown against Muslim separatists, officials said.

SINGUR, India (AFP) - Escalating demonstrations against a factory being constructed in eastern India to make the world's cheapest car forced a halt to building work on Friday.

NEW DELHI (AFP) - India's first-quarter economic growth slowed to 7.9 percent, the weakest in three-and-a-half years as interest rate hikes hit demand, but analysts said long-term prospects still looked solid.

KATHMANDU (AFP) - Nepal needs stricter regulations for foreigners wishing to adopt children from the impoverished country, the UN said Friday.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Nuwan Kulasekara wrecked India's top order with a career-best haul of 4-40 to bowl Sri Lanka to a consolation 112-run victory in the fifth and final one-day international here on Friday.

SAHARSA, India (AFP) - Massive flooding in eastern India has caused a "national calamity," the prime minister said Thursday after touring the devastated region where more than a million people remain trapped.

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Hundreds of Pakistani lawyers protested Thursday to demand the reinstatement of judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf, an issue at the heart of political instability here.

BHUBANESWAR, India (AFP) - At least 1,500 people have fled their homes for shelters in eastern India after days of violent clashes between Hindus and Christians that have killed at least 10, officials said Thursday.

KABUL (AFP) - Afghan and international troops have killed more than 100 Taliban militants in several clashes in the troubled southern province of Helmand over the past three days, the US-led coalition said Thursday.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka on Thursday appealed to minority ethnic Tamil civilians living in the line of fire in rebel-held towns to move to areas under government control, saying it would guarantee them safe passage.

DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) - The Dalai Lama was taken to hospital in India on Thursday after complaining of stomach pain, his office said.

KHAR, Pakistan (AFP) - Pakistani troops Thursday killed five militants in attacks on Taliban hideouts in a northwestern region near the Afghan border, security officials said.

DHAKA (AFP) - The detained son and political heir of Bangladesh's jailed former premier Khaleda Zia has been granted bail, a lawyer said Thursday, opening the door for him to seek medical treatment abroad.

KATHMANDU (AFP) - About 120 Tibetan exiles were arrested Thursday in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu as they attempted to protest in front of a Chinese embassy building, police said.

KABUL (AFP) - Afghanistan's first Olympic medallist received a hero's welcome Thursday from hundreds of beaming fans and dignitaries who hailed him as the "pride of the nation".

COLOMBO (AFP) - Play resumed after a rain interruption in the fifth and final one-day international between India and Sri Lanka here on Friday.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Thilan Thushara smashed a maiden half-century to help Sri Lanka reach a competitive 227-6 in the fifth and final one-day international against India here on Friday.

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indian tennis star Sania Mirza is confident of getting over her current injury crisis and bouncing back into the top 50 soon with the help of a new trainer.

KABUL (AFP) - The US-led coalition in Afghanistan said Friday its troops had killed almost a dozen militants after coming under attack while operating near the border with Pakistan.

MUMBAI (AFP) - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is in a stable condition and there is no cause for concern over his health, the private Indian hospital to which he was admitted said Friday.

LONDON (AFP) - Imperial Energy, facing a takeover by Indian peer ONGC, said on Friday that it had reduced its losses during the first half of 2008.

MUMBAI (AFP) - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is in a stable condition and there is no cause for concern over his health, the private Indian hospital to which he was admitted said Friday.

SINGUR, India (AFP) - Protesters opposed to a factory being set up to manufacture the world's cheapest car in eastern India said Friday they were stepping up their blockade of the plant.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels Friday accused government forces of setting off a roadside bomb and killing two civilians inside guerrilla-held territory.