Afghans protest Quran burning for 4th day

Kabul: Protests erupted in Afghanistan again on Monday against a Florida pastor's burning of the Quran, making four straight days of demonstrations — some deadly — against the destruction of Islam's holy book in a country struggling to beat back an insurgency led by Taliban religious extremists. 

The demonstration in eastern Laghman province briefly threatened to turn into another melee as about 300 protesters brandished sticks and threw stones at police, who in turned started firing shots in the air, according to a news agency photographer at the scene.

The protest started in Alingar district and the shouting crowd moved toward the provincial capital of Mihtarlam, where they clashed with officers who wanted to keep them out of the city, said Gen Abdul Aziz Gharanai, the provincial police chief. 

However, the protesters dispersed as officers started firing warning shots and no one was wounded, Gharanai said. The agency photographer also heard no reports of serious injuries. 

At least 21 people have been killed in the past three days of protests across the country. 

The violence was set off by anger over the March 20 burning of the Quran by a Florida church — the same church whose pastor had threatened to do so last year on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, triggering worldwide outrage. 

The protests began Friday when thousands of demonstrators in the previously peaceful northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif poured into the streets after Friday's Muslim prayer services and overran a UN compound, killing three UN staff members and four Nepalese guards. 

The demonstrations have appeared to awaken a simmering anti-foreigner sentiment in the country, where anger about civilian casualties and international contractors making fortunes off the long-running conflict have worn down the welcome for Western forces over more than nine years of fighting. 

Meanwhile, NATO said one of its service members was killed Sunday in an insurgent attack in the east. NATO did not disclose other details or the nationality of the dead. The majority of the troops in the east are American. 

The latest death makes a total of 102 NATO service members killed so far this year. In the same period of 2010, 129 NATO troops died. 

Bureau Report

Source: http://www.zeenews.com/news697581.html

FEP to bring 100 projects under ‘India Property 2011’

DUBAI — Abu Dhabi is set to host a new India property show that will bring over 100 projects from across India for the Capital-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), according to its organiser — Future Exhibitions and 
Promotions (FEP).

The inaugural ‘India Property 2011’ is scheduled to be held from February 11-12, 2011 in Abu Dhabi that will showcase affordable and hi-end luxury properties with competitive prices in the market starting from Rs1 million to 
Rs10 million.

The two-day exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for NRIs to get first-hand information on the current Indian real estate scenario from the people directly involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis, discuss with the builders about their latest projects, facilities, amenities offered, prices and payment plans.

“Dubai already has 4-5 regular Indian property shows, so we decided to select Abu Dhabi for our inaugural event,” Syed Asim, Managing Director, FEP, told Khaleej Times. It would be first India property show in Abu Dhabi after a long time and a very good response is expected from NRIs based in the Capital as they don’t need to travel all the way to Dubai for a property show, Asim said.

For people looking to buy a home or invest in the lucrative Indian real-estate sector, the choice of properties on offer ranges from high-end luxury villas to best value properties. Some of the developers at the show include: Unitech, Hiranandani Upscale, Century Real Estate, Natwest Constructions and many more. “In addition to NRIs related with oil and gas companies in Abu Dhabi, we are targeting individuals, buyers of residential properties, real estate developers, builders, contractors and real estate agents, arthitects, interior designers, consultants, government officials and private companies looking for commercial properties and
corporate houses.

FEP plans to explore more Gulf markets for its property shows, he said, adding: “Last year we had a property show in Qatar and that was very successful and this year we are planning two shows in Saudi Arabia.”

First show will be held in Riyadh in May, 2011 and then another in Jeddah in the same month, he said, adding: “We are also looking at Singapore for our property show that will focus on only south Indian NRIs.”

“We are confident that the two-day exhibition will prove to be a tremendous opportunity for the NRIs interested in investing in the Indian real estate sector to meet the major builders and developers first hand, learn about what the indian real-estate sector has to offer and make informed decisions,” he said.

Explaining his confidence in the Indian realty sector, he said, “Within the last decade the India property scenario has gone through positive changes triggered by the boom in the IT / ITES sector, changes in government policy and a robust Indian economy as a whole. With prices just about right and properties plentiful, now is an opportune time for NRIs in the UAE to invest back home.”
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Source: FEP to bring 100 projects under ‘India Property 2011’