MANILA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The three hostages held by bandits in the southern Philippines are expected to be released within the next few hours, a police chief said on Tuesday night. Negotiations are still ongoing but the crisis may end very soon, sai …

ISLAMABAD, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani president General Pervez Musharraf was briefed on Tuesday afternoon about the clash between Pakistani security forces and Lal Masjid religious students in Pakistani capital of Islamabad, and orders of operation are y …