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developments in the region and abroad
26 die as Maoists attack security troops in Nepal
1/23/2006
KATHMANDU (Agencies): At least 26 Maoists and six security personnel were killed in a overnight clash after an attack by the rebels in Nepal's Makawanpur district, army sources said Sunday.
The Maoists attacked the security forces carrying out search operation in Faparbari, 150 km south of Kathmandu, Saturday night, the sources said.
The troops have recovered 17 bodies of Maoists, they said, adding six security men including one policeman were killed in the incident.
Meanwhile, political parties continued to defy a government crackdown on protests against King Gyanendra's direct rule over the Himalayan kingdom.
The fighting broke out when a group of rebels attacked security
forces patrolling the area at night and continued until daybreak
Canadian Liberals face loss after 12 years in power
OTTAWA (Reuters) : Canada's opposition Conservatives rallied voters on Sunday to stitch up a projected victory on the eve of a federal election that was set to end 12 years of Liberal Party rule, move the country to the right and improve relations with the United States.
Polls show the Conservatives of Stephen Harper will triumph in Monday's poll but fall short of capturing a majority of the 308 seats in Parliament, leaving them dependent on other parties.
The result is a minority government that analysts say is likely to be short-lived. It is the second election in just 18 months and the third since late 2000.
The centrist Liberals -- who took power in late 1993 -- campaigned on their fiscal record, reminding people the economy was booming and trying to portray Harper as an extremist who wanted to scrap freedoms such as gay marriage and abortion.
But Martin seems likely to fall victim to voter fatigue with the Liberals and a major kickback scandal that hit his government shortly after he took power in December 2003.
Suspected Indian militants launch new attacks
GAUHATI (AP) : Suspected separatist rebels launched three separate attacks in northeastern India, killing a merchant, blowing up an oil and gas pipeline and injuring five police officers in an assault on a power facility, the police said Sunday.
Two suspected militants on a motorcycle fatally shot Ishwar Chand Jain in Assam state's eastern Sivasagar district Saturday after he failed to meet the rebels' extortion demand of 1.5 million rupees (US$34,800, euro28,700), said District Police Chief BR Media.
Elsewhere in Sivasagar, suspected militants blew up a gas and oil pipeline in a dense forest, triggering a fire that was extinguished by engineers, Media said.
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