New Delhi, July 31 : Emphasizing the need for a "collective action" among the SAARC countries to tackle the menace, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Navtej Sarna today said that the Kabul attack “underlines how vulnerable” South Asia is as far as terrorism is concerned.

He also said that there is a need to have crime free atmosphere to ensure growth.

Referring to the proposed agreement for the SAARC Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters he said it would be effective in dealing with crimes in the region.

India has been keen for having such a legal mechanism for effectively dealing with the menace as.

New Delhi, July 31 : A media official attached with the Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee (BOGOC) has expressed his disappointment over a South Korean TV station broadcasting footage of a dress rehearsal of the Beijing Olympics opening.

“We are disappointed they did that, but the fragments cannot give the audience a full picture of the opening ceremony,” said Sun Weide, a media official with the organizing committee of the Beijing Games, Xinhua reported.

“Let’s wait for the wonderful performances when the Games open on August 8,” he said at a press conference.

New Delhi, July 31 : A pet dog has miraculously survived for 70 whole days under the rubble after the devastating earthquake that hit China on May 12.

On the fateful day of the earthquake, the pooch named Wang Wang was at home while owner Fei Hongwei and her husband were out at work.

Then, the earthquake hit, completely destroying their house, reports China Daily.

It was not until July 22, when Fei was finally permitted to go back to salvage what she could from the ruins.

To her surprise, she discovered her dog was still alive and now Wang Wang lives with its owner in their new home in Deyang, Sichuan province.

New Delhi, July 31 : Major General P. Mohapatra, who is also the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and would hence be Signal Officer-in-Chief.

He would replace Lieutenant General SP Sree Kumar, who superannuated today.

As Signal Officer-in-Chief, he will be the head of the Corps of Signals and be responsible to oversee the entire Communication & IT requirements of the Indian Army.

Prior to assuming the present appointment, he served as Additional Directorate General of Signal Intelligence and Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

New Delhi, July 31 : The Union Cabinet today gave its ex-post-facto approval for

New Delhi, July 31 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for insertion of the additional term of reference in the term of reference of the Thirteenth Finance Commission.