Volume 4 Number 223 Fri. January 09, 2004       Advertise with The Daily Star -- Advertising on the Website    Advertising in the Printed E dition-- Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Political Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Environment World Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives World   Pakistan launches drive against al-Qaeda Pakistan's army launched a major offensive against suspected terrorists in a mountainous region near the Afghanistan border believed to be used by al-Qaeda fugitives, the information minister and other Vajpayee briefs cabinet on summit breakthrough Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee Wednesday briefed his security cabinet on his historic talks with leaders in Pakistan that opened the doors for the resumption of bilateral dialogue next month, Reenlistment bonus fails to excite US troops in Iraq They're staying on because they love army life or are getting out because they're sick of it, and the 10,000-dollar bonus offered to reenlist is not a factor, said US soldiers in Iraq.   Pakistan willing to look beyond UN resolutions to resolve Kashmir row With India and Pakistan agreeing to hold a composite dialogue in February, Islamabad has said it is willing to look at options other than UN resolutions to settle the Kashmir problem but made it clear   BJP set for early polls call India's ruling Hindu nationalists will meet Sunday and likely recommend national polls six months ahead of schedule to take advantage of a strong economy and warming ties with rival Pakistan, party leaders   Pakistan asks envoy to India to initiate follow-up action In the backdrop of the success achieved at the 12th Saarc Summit, Islamabad has asked its High Commissioner to India to rush back to New Delhi and carry on with urgent follow up diplomatic action.   China asks Taiwan to 'stop playing with fire' China cranked up the pressure on Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian yesterday, demanding he "stop playing with fire" by pushing for independence and warning the peace and stability of the region were at   'Terrors had attack plan on Christmas' Intelligence agencies in the United States believe terrorists were planning a Christmas attack more devastating than the September 11 atrocities in 2001, US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge saidWednesday.   UN envoy urges Israel to talk with Syria The UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Terje Roed-Larsen, urged Israel to accept Syria's offer to reopen peace talks, saying it was in the country's best interests, in an interview published   US asks France to hunt airline terror suspect France said it was hunting Wednesday for a suspect sought by the United States over a security scare that forced a spate of airline cancellations and delays to US-bound flights in December.     Advertisement