Kohima, Jan 13: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has appointed Mr Jongshilemba the Parliamentary Secretary at a simple function held at the Civil Secretariat here yesterday.

Official sources today said that the oath of secrecy to the new Parliamentary Secretary was administered by Rio in presence of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and state Government officials.

Cabinet Secretary Lalhuma, in a notification said the new Parliamentary Secretary, who will be holding the portfolio of Jail.....

Washington, Jan 13: Recent US military raids against Iranians in Iraq were authorized by President George W Bush under an order for a broad offensive against Iranian operatives in the country, the New York Times said on its Web site. ''There has been a decision to go after these networks,'' the Times quoted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying in an interview conducted yesterday before leaving on a West Asia trip.

She said Bush issued the order several.....

Tokyo, Jan 13: North Korea's decision on whether to conduct a second nuclear test depends on the actions of the United States, a North Korean official was quoted as saying by a Japanese lawmaker, Kyodo news agency reported today.

Concerns have risen recently that North Korea may be readying a second nuclear test after an October 9 test that sparked international condemnation and punitive UN-backed sanctions.

Taku Yamasaki, a former deputy leader of Japan's ruling.....

Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 13: Outlawed Maoists gunned down Guntur Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) Member V Bhasakara Reddy of the Congress late last night in his native Chinna Kodama Kundla Village here, police today said.

Apprehending danger to his life, Mr Reddy had been staying at the Zilla Parishad Guest House here for more than a month.

Last evening, Mr Reddy visited his uncle in the village and was returning home on a motorcycle,.....