News in Brief

Chinese demonstrate for Bo Xilai
Reuters, Jinan, China

A handful of supporters of ousted Chinese politician Bo Xilai protested outside a courthouse in eastern China yesterday on the eve of his trial to denounce what they said was politically motivated persecution.
About 10 people held up signs outside the courthouse in the eastern city of Jinan in Shandong province, where Bo is set to appear in public on Thursday for the first time in 17 months to face charges of bribery, corruption and abuse of power.
The trial of Bo, 64, a charismatic and well-loved leader to some and a power-hungry politician to others, will cap the country's biggest political scandal since the 1976 downfall of the Gang of Four at the end of the Cultural Revolution and could sharpen rifts in a society already divided about his fate.

Al Jazeera launches US TV news service
Bbc Online

Al Jazeera is launching a new TV news channel in the United States.
Al Jazeera America will be available in almost 48 million US households, offering 14 hours of news each day.
The new network replaces Current TV, the cable television network founded by former US Vice President Al Gore, which the Qatar-owned broadcaster acquired in January 2013 for around $500m.

China troops camped in Arunachal
Pti, New Delhi

In yet another face-off with Indian soldiers, Chinese troops had come more than 20 kilometres inside Indian territory in Chaglagam area of Arunachal Pradesh on August 13 and stayed there for over two days.
However, the Army Headquarters sought to play down the incursion, saying the Chinese troops have gone back to their areas and such incidents keep taking place as both sides enter areas claimed by the other side while patrolling the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Pak army officer killed in Indian firing
Afp, Islamabad

Pakistan's military accused India yesterday of killing an army officer and seriously wounding a soldier in the latest clash across the disputed border in Kashmir.
Tensions have flared between the nuclear-armed neighbours in recent weeks over the Himalayan territory, which both control in part but claim in full.
Skirmishes have erupted across the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border in Kashmir, since five Indian soldiers were killed earlier this month in an ambush which Delhi has blamed on the Pakistan army.

'INS Vikrant a threat to China'
Pti, Beijing

Describing the launch of India's indigenous aircraft carrier and Japan's biggest warship since World War II as a threat to China, a report in the state-run media yesterday alleged some countries are backing New Delhi to balance Beijing's power.
The launch of India's INS Vikrant and Japan's helicopter carrier serve as a warning for China, said an article on the state-run Global Times' website.

US sanctions Islamic school in Pakistan
Ap, Peshawar

The United States has placed unprecedented sanctions on an Islamic school in northwest Pakistan for allegedly training and financing fighters from al-Qaida and other militant groups.
The sanctions against Jamia Taleem-Ul-Quran-Wal-Hadith Madrassa, also known as the Ganj Madrassa, in the city of Peshawar were the first to target an Islamic school, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said in a statement Tuesday.

Pak floods affect 1m
Afp, Islamabad

Heavy monsoon rains triggering floods have affected nearly one million people and killed 139 others across Pakistan in the last three weeks, disaster management officials said yesterday.
The rains had hit 3,826 villages and destroyed 13,262 houses all over the country.