Reuters South Asia News Highlights 1200 GMT Nov 4

KABUL - Technocrats and some existing ministers will be
included among Afghan President Hamid Karzai's new government
within the next three weeks, a spokesman said, but his main
rival ruled out taking any part.

Karzai, re-elected after a needless presidential run-off
vote was abandoned on Monday, has received stern warnings from
U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown and others in the West that he must work harder to root
out corruption that tainted his previous administration.
[ID:nISL535843]

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LONDON - An Afghan policeman has shot dead five British
soldiers at a checkpoint in southern Afghanistan, the defence
ministry in London said.

The gunman opened fire at a military compound in Helmand
province on Tuesday, a day after Afghan election officials
cancelled a presidential run-off vote and gave President Hamid
Karzai a second term in office. [ID:nL479081]

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KABUL - The number of Afghans infected by the deadly H1N1
virus has more than quadrupled in two days, a health ministry
official said.

Seven more people have also been killed by the virus since
the first death was recorded last week, public health ministry
spokesman Farid Raaid said. [ID:nISL535151]

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COLOMBO - Sri Lankan police fired tear gas and water cannon
to stop unemployed graduate protesters entering a high security
area near President Mahinda Rajapaksa's official residence.

Rajapaksa has been riding a wave of popularity since the
defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels in May ended a 25-year civil year,
but is now coming under pressure from protests and strikes by
trade and student unions ahead of elections in early 2010.
[ID:nCOL539348]

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NEW DELHI - The Indian economy is expected to expand by 6.3
percent in the year to March 2010, the Planning Commission said
in a report.

The plan panel expects wholesale price inflation to go
beyond 4-5 percent by end of March. [ID:nDEB003065]

(Compiled by Carl Bagh)