News 1st

MUMBAI, Nov. 27 - Sharpshooters and Indian Army commandos launched dramatic raids Thursday into two of India's most luxurious hotels, attempting to root out gunmen whose deadly attacks have transformed parts of India's commercial capital into smoldering war zones.

Hundreds of families grieved for the 125 people reported killed, as police and terrorism experts remained puzzled over who was behind the attacks on the hotels, a Jewish center, and other sites in the heart of Mumbai. More than 325 people were reported injured.
Closed-circuit television cameras that recorded some scenes of the attack showed college-aged men roaming the streets with automatic assault rifles and backpacks apparently filled with ammunition and explosives. In one video still, one of the gunmen appears almost giddy as he walks down the street with an AK-47 assault rifle.
In a speech on national television Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the first official assertion that the attackers were from outside India, statements usually taken here to point to Pakistan. "The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners," Singh said. Some news channels split their screens to show the prime minister speaking and the ongoing battle between security personnel and the attackers.

The prime minister called for creation of "a central agency" to investigate terrorism in India, where some 44 bomb blasts in seven different cities have killed more than 150 people since May. Wednesday's assaults were seen as unprecedented, authorities said, in terms of the open, coordinated effort to lay siege to well-known symbols of India's prosperity and to places where Westerners gathered

Serial terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital, have left at least 100 dead and 280 wounded.
Teams of gunmen attacked two five-star hotels, a railway station, hospitals, and a restaurant famous for attracting tourists, the AP reports.
The gunmen specifically targeted Americans and Britons at the hotels and the restaurant, Leopold's. An unknown number of people were being held hostage as police raided the two hotels, the Taj and the Oberio. At least six of the gunmen have been killed since the attacks began at about 9:30 local time on Wednesday.
A Muslim terrorist group called Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The government ordered schools and colleges closed on Thursday. But according to techgoss.com editor Dhananjay Varma, now in Delhi, the country's tech hubs are operating normally, and internal flights between Delhi and Mumbai were running as of 8am local time Thursday. International flights may not fly from Mumbai today, Varma said. Telephone lines are working normally and tourists are talking to the media from the hotels.
Varma said terrorists had not attacked outsourcing centres because the industry is multi-faith, and buildings are often better guarded than hotels and restaurants.
The head of Maharashtra's anti-terrorist squad is among 11 police officers who have been killed.
British citizens concerned about friends and relatives in Mumbai can call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 0000. Anyone in Mumbai and needing consular help should call (0091) 11 2419 2288.
The England Cricket team is touring India for a series of one-day internationals. The fifth was held yesterday in Cuttack, on the country's east coast. According to Independent, the tour may be cut short.

A Sri Lankan by the name of Anton Karunaratne has lost his memory. The university hospital in San Antonio, Texas issued a bulletin requesting Sri Lankans who are aware of the identity of Anton to contact them. He is not able to identify himself.

Social workers at University Hospital need your help in finding friends and family of 55-year-old Anton. Social workers are hoping someone will come forward to help him return home.
Mr. Karunaratne was admitted at University Hospital on November 15 after being found by police in the downtown area. He is now ready to be discharged but doesn’t have any recollection of his current home address or the names of the relatives or friends he had probably been living with.
Without a safe place to go, University Hospital cannot release him, so hospital officials are asking the community to help find his family. Mr. Karanaratne says he is a native of Sri Lanka but is not able to remember any family history.
If you recognise Mr.Karunaratne or know his family, please contact the University Hospital at 210- 358-0450 or Leni Kirkman / Julie Wiley at 210-358-2335, 210-203-3300 (Pager) or please contact Sri Lankan Embassy at 202 352 0355

Burial rites for the late President Ibrahim Nasir were held this morning.

The funeral prayer was held after the Fajr prayer at Masjid-ul Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al Auzam. After the funeral prayers, late President Nasir was buried with full honours at the Friday Mosque.
After the coffin was taken to the Friday Mosque, the flag that draped the coffin was folded and presented to President Nasheed by the Commander of the Bearer Party. After that, President Nasheed presented the flag to Ismail Nasir, son of late President Nasir. As the coffin was lowered in to the tomb, a funeral call by the Band Party was played. After that, 7 gun salutes were given which was followed by the National Anthem played by the brass band of MNDF.

The funeral services were attended by members of the late Ibrahim Nasir’s family, President Nasheed, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Mr. Mohamed Shihab; Chief Justice, Uz. Abdulla Saeed;, Members of the Cabinet; State Dignitaries, Judges of the Supreme Court; Members of the People’s Majlis; State Ministers, Presidents of independent Commissions; Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials of the President’s Office.

The funeral prayer was also attended by a large number of members of the general public.

The body of former President Ibrahim Nasir was laid to rest with full state honours early this morning at the grounds of Male' Friday Mosque. The former President was given a 7 gun salute and national anthem was played when his coffin was lowered to the ground carried by Maldives National Defence Force officers. President Mohamed Nasheed, late President's son Ismail Nasir, close family members and family friends,Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku, Speaker Mohamed Shihab, Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed, ministers, members of the People's Majlis, judges of judicial courts, Chairmen of independent commissions, State dignitaries, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Officials of the President's Office attended the janaza rites of the late President. A large number of public were in attendance. Late President Nasir's body was carried from the Presidential Palace to the Mosque of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanul Auzam where janaza prayers were conducted for him. Janaza prayers lead by Minister of Justice Dr. Abdul Majeed Bari, was attended by President Nasheed, Vice President, late President Nasir's son Ismail Nasir and family members and friends ministers MPs as well as the other high raking government officials attending janaza rites and very large number of the general public. The mosque was packed with people. President Nasir's body was then carried to the Male' Friday Mosque grounds with the same state honours and laid to rest there. Friday Mosque is the resting place of several kings and other distinguished leaders of the country. The Mosque is very close to the house where late Nasir lived. Yesterday and last night a record number of people visited the Presidential Palace to pay their last respects to late President Ibrahim Nasir. Long queues of people were waiting in rain for 2 - 3 hours before being able to get their chance of seeing the face of the late President and offer their last respects to the leader who rendered invaluable service to the country including attaining political independence from Britain in 1965. The whole country is mourning the death of President Nasir and people are feeling shame their hero of independence and modernisation had to spend the last 30 years of his life in exile. Late President had not been able to visit his beloved country since he left the country on 7 December 1978 about a month after President Maumooon Abdul Gayoom took over leadership, amid mounting fears of intimidation and harassment against President Nasir over what has been alleged as abuse of power and government funds. Pesident Nasir was sentenced in absentia for misappropriation of state funds soon after and was stripped off the state honours conferred on him. President Nasir denied these charges and accused them as politically motivated. During the 30 years of Nasir's self exile, people heard little about him and his services and the young generation of Maldivians have not seen or known about his illustrious leadership. The news about Nasir's death and constant reports of his distinguished political career has drowned the whole country in mourning giving the late leader spontaneous love and respect as never seen before. Nasir would have been very happy if he had received these sentiments and love from the people when he was alive.

The funeral prayer for the late President Nasir will be held after the Fajr prayers, at Masjid-ul Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al Auzam. He will be buried at the Friday Mosque.
Among those who paid their respect to the late President include President Nasheed and Madam Laila Ali; Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed and his spouse Ilham Hussain; former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom; Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Mr. Mohamed Shihab;Chief Justice, Uz. Abdulla Saeed;, Members of the Cabinet; State Dignitaries, Judges of the Supreme Court; Members of the People’s Majlis; Ministers of State, Presidents of independent Commissions; Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials of the President’s Office.

President Nasheed has said that the former President Ibrahim Nasir NGIV had rendered numerous services to the Maldives. The President made this statement while speaking to the media today at the President’s Office.
The President also highlighted on the life of late President Nasir, spent abroad during the past 30 years.
Speaking further, the President said that without forgiveness and reconciliation, it would not be possible for us to achieve the exemplary democracy that we hope for.
The President also prayed to the Almighty Allah for His eternal blessings on the soul of the dear departed and to grant the members of the bereaved family the fortitude and strength to bear this great personal loss.