News Analysis - January 2006 @ whatisindia.com

Advanced Akash Tests Successful (Jan 31, 2006)
India test fired a surface-to-air missile that can target multiple targets simultaneously.<More>
Clemenceau to Wait Till Feb 12 (Jan 31, 2006)
The French Government is seeking an urgent court order to stop an independent verification on the asbestos content in the condemned aircraft carrier Clemenceau.<More>
Former PoK PM Welcomes Indian Offer (Jan 31, 2006)
Former Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayoom said that the Pakistani Government should have accepted Indian help after the earthquake four months ago.<More>
Govt Promises Safety for Candidates (Jan 31, 2006)
Over 608 electoral candidates, fearing Maoist terrorists’ threats, pulled out of upcoming Nepal polls. King Gnanendra insists on going through elections for mayoral offices despite the boycott of 7 political parties and incessant violence from Maoist terrorists.<More>
US, EU Threaten to Stop Aid (Jan 31, 2006)
Striking an increasingly defiant tone, Hamas has rejected international demands that they recognize Israel’s right to exist and disarm.<More>
India Wants Detailed Study to understand Natanz “Research” (January. 30. 2006)
India has asked the US and the European Union (EU) not to be hasty to take Iran to the UNSC. It said as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has rights to develop, use, and source technologies for civilian purposes.<More>
260 m People below Poverty Line (Jan 30, 2006)
India's Social Development Report indicated that vast portions of the country, especially in the North remained illiterate, remains below the poverty line.<More>
Bollywood Promotes Smoking (Jan 30, 2006)
A World Health Organization (WHO) study has shown that the Hindi film industry’s support for smoking tobacco usage has increased.<More>
France Ready to Repatriate Asbestos (Jan 30, 2006)
The French Government indicated that it would be willing to repatriate the asbestos that is still remnant in the condemned aircraft carrier Clemenceau.<More>
Gujarat Villages Vow Dowry Fight (Jan 30, 2006)
Two villages in Gujarat have vowed not to accept dowry for their sons and to give dowry for their daughter.<More>
India, Saudi Sign 3 Accords (Jan 30, 2006)
The Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al Saud completed his four-day state visit to India.<More>
Intl Community Asks Hamas to Disarm (Jan 30, 2006)
With a large majority in the recently concluded polls in Palestine territory, Hamas is set to form a Government that will surely not be recognized by many countries and likely seriously affect the peace process.<More>
Large Domestic Textile Growth (Jan 30, 2006)
The textile industry in India, which relied mostly on exports for high value income, is seeing a large growth in the home textile segment.<More>
Russia, US Compete for Lunar Helium-3 (Jan 30, 2006)
Russia & the US are in a new race to built permanent bases on the moon to begin an industrial-scale delivery of the rare isotope Helium-3 by 2020.<More>
US asks India Reconsider Syrian Investment (Jan 30, 2006)
The United States submitted an aide mémoire seeking India to reconsider its decision to invest in a Syrian oilfield.<More>
Buta Singh Resigns (Jan 28, 2006)
The Supreme Court (SC) indicted Bihar Governor Buta Singh resigned after taking the traditional Republic Day salute but refused to accept any blame.<More>
Clemenceau Owner Challenges Greenpeace (Jan 28, 2006)
The owner of the condemned French aircraft carrier Clemenceau has challenged the environmental group Green peace to prove its claims of level of asbestos in that ship.<More>
India Refutes Mulford’s Remarks (January 28, 2006)
The Indian foreign office summoned the United States Ambassador to tell him that his comments on the Indo-US nuclear deal and the Iran vote were “inappropriate and not conducive to building a strong partnership between our two independent democracies.” <More>
Hamas Wins Palestinian Elections (Jan 28, 2006)
The terrorist group Hamas won 76 of the 132 members Parliament making it eligible to form the Government. The ruling Fattah ended up with 43 seats and conceded defeat.<More>
Interpol Wants 15 Pak Accounts Frozen (Jan 28, 2006)
On the request of Interpol, Pakistan froze 15 bank accounts of Afghan trading houses that are suspected to have links with the Taliban.<More>
Iran Withdraws from LNG Deal (Jan 28, 2006)
Iran’s National Iranian Gas Export Corporation (NIGEC) has said it will reserve the right to withdraw supply of 2.5 million tons of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) if the crude oil prices crosses USD $80 a barrel.<More>
IT & ITES to Bring USD 130B Revenue (Jan 28, 2006)
A Forrester Research study predicted that Indian and Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) would fetch the country USD 130 billion this year.<More>
Mush Wants Demilitarized Kashmir (Jan 28, 2006)
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf urged the Indian Government to respond positively to his plan of demilitarization and "self-governance" in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).<More>
Naxals Kills 1 RPF in Ranchi (Jan 28, 2006)
Indian Maoist Naxal terrorists killed a Railway Protection Force employee and derailed a goods train and blasted a small bridge disrupting traffic on a national highway near Ranchi, Jharkhand.<More>
Opposition Parties Call Bundh (Jan 28, 2006)
In response to a strike call by the 7-political-party alliance, Nepal was virtually shut down forcing it to defer its 57th Republic Day celebrations to Saturday.<More>
Coordinated Terrorist Attacks in Nepal (Jan 27, 2006)
Spreading panic, hundreds of Maoist terrorists launched multiple coordinated attacks in a key Midwestern town bordering India in Nepal.<More>
Israel Terms Hamas Victory a “Ticking Bomb” (Jan 27, 2006)
Over a million of the 3.5 million Palestinians voted to elect out of 700 plus candidates (with 80 odd women candidates) seeking a mandate fewer than 11 political parties and as independents for 132 Parliamentary seats.<More>
Post Chides Mush on Terrorism (Jan 27, 2006)
In a scathing editorial, the Washington Post has castigated the lack of progress in the war of terror because Pakistan wants to be “counted as a U.S. ally while avoiding an all-out campaign against the Islamic extremists in his country.”<More>
Saudi Will Invest 150B in Infrastructure (Jan 27, 2006)
With the historical visit of the Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al Saud to India, the two countries are expected to sign three major agreements on terrorism, trade, and investments.<More>
Sri Lanka and LTTE Agree to Talk (Jan 27, 2006)
Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) seem to have agreed to resume direct unconditional talks next month in Switzerland.<More>
UPA in Trouble over SC Bihar Verdict (Jan 27, 2006)
The import of the Supreme Court verdict dawned on the nation when communist allies and right-of-center opposition came together to criticize the Government for its poor management of Bihar.<More>
NHRC Warns Against Child-Sex (Jan 26, 2006)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reported that despite strong laws and political will, weak police implementation and overburdened judiciary has resulted in a USD 8 billion flesh trade in South Asia.<More>
Police Arrest 2 More LeT Men (Jan 26, 2006)
The Bangalore police two more suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives in the city and retrieved several bombs and "incriminating documents."<More>
Saudi Abdullah 4 Day Visit (Jan 26, 2006)
After a space of 51 years, Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al Saud is visiting India for a 4-day visit.<More>
SC Criticizes Buta Singh Report (Jan 26, 2006)
In a far-reaching verdict, the Supreme Court has indicted Bihar Governor Buta Singh for his "undue haste" to recommend the "drastic and extreme" dissolution of the Bihar assembly.<More>
Solheim Restarts Lanka-LTTE Peace Process (Jan 26, 2006)
Norwegian Minister for International Development Erik Solheim met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to bring the Government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam back to the peace process.<More>
SPA to Boycott Polls (Jan 26, 2006)
Despite heavy opposition and protests, Nepal’s King Gnanendra seems intent on his local elections scheduled for February 8.<More>
US Uses Systematic Torture (Jan 26, 2006)
European Human Rights investigator and Swiss Senator Dick Marty said that the United States systematically used torture through third parties as a weapon against captured Taliban fighters and suspected terrorists.<More>
India Rejects Mulford Iran Link (January 25, 2006)
India firmly rejected United States (US) Ambassador to India David Mulford’s assertion that the Indo-US Nuclear deal is linked to how India votes in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Iran.<More>
AAI Says Nepal Most Undemocratic (Jan 25, 2006)
The International Development Agency, Action Aid International has said that of the 42 countries it serves, Nepal is the most undemocratic nation.<More>
India, Saudi Strengthen Economic Ties (Jan 25, 2006)
Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz visited China and the two countries have signed a protocol on oil exploration, natural gas, and minerals.<More>
ISRO to Assist in Health (Jan 25, 2006)
The Federal Health Ministry and National Institute of Communicable Diseases in a tie-up with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will link 400 sites countrywide.<More>
ONGC Invests 250 m in Sudan (Jan 25, 2006)
ONGC Videsh Limited and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) have teamed up to invest USD 350 million in a 500 megawatt (MW) project in Sudan.<More>
US Calls LTTE as "Reprehensible Terrorist Group" (Jan 25, 2006)
The United States Under-Secretary of State Nicholas Burns described the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a "reprehensible terrorist group" keeping Sri Lanka "on the edge of war.<More>
US,EU Oppose Hamas Victory (Jan 25, 2006)
The United States has said that it will not recognize a Hamas majority Government.<More>
France TrashesTechnopure Report (Jan 24, 2006)
Fearing the loss of business from increased environmental awareness and regulation, Alang ship breaking yard officials in Gujarat has sought French expertise to dismantle Clemenceau.<More>
H5N1 Researchers Find Virus Communicable to Humans (Jan 24, 2006)
Researchers performing autopsies of H5N1 virus infected cats have found that the virus can be transmitted through urine and faeces thus intensifying fears of a human pan endemic.<More>
HRC Chides Pak for racist Policy (Jan 24, 2006)
Bugti rebels attacked a Pakistani army base, telephone exchange, and Government offices in South Western Baloachistan province.<More>
Poll Predicts Hamas Victory (Jan 24, 2006)
Israel was on full alert today as two pre-poll surveys of Palestinian territories indicated a large Hamas victory.<More>
Rajasthan e-School Experiment (Jan 24, 2006)
The United Nation’s-funded Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rajasthan to e-enable its education system.<More>
Speculation on Talks Location (Jan 24, 2006)
Sri Lanka is to propose names of 5 countries where it would be open to hold talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).<More>
Tea Workers Back LTTE (Jan 24, 2006)
Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) operatives ambushed a 10 member foot patrol in Sri Lanka. In the resulting battle near Batticaloa, four soldiers were injured.<More>
All Lanka Parties Want LTTE Talks (Jan 21, 2006)
An all party meeting called by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse recommended the resumption of talk with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).<More>
Egypt Orders Separate Probe (Jan 21, 2006)
The Egyptian Parliament has ordered a separate probe to determine whether Clemenceau contains asbestos and if sending it India would be a violation of the 1989 Basel Convention.<More>
IFC Continue to Support Indian Infra Investments (Jan 21, 2006)
In a recent report, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector lending arm of the World Bank, has said that it will continue to support Indian investments in infrastructure.<More>
India, Saudi to Fight Terrorism (Jan 21, 2006)
India and Saudi Arabia will sign an agreement that will increase co-operation to fight crime and terrorism, avoid double taxation, and prevent tax evasion.<More>
Gnanendra Curbs Civil Rights (Jan 20, 2006)
In a major crackdown to thwart opposition to February elections, Nepal arrested scores of activists, cut cell phone services, and placed under house arrest senior leaders.<More>
HRW Slams Musharraf for Anti-Women Violence (Jan 20, 2006)
The New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said that the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was so interested in consolidating power that he had virtually ignored the plight of women in Pakistan.<More>
Indo-Pak Disagree on CBMs (Jan 20, 2006)
India and Pakistan started their third round of composite dialogue and called for continued conversation and confidence building measures (CBMs).<More>
Intl Donors Pledge USD 1.9B to Fight Bird Flu (Jan 20, 2006)
International donors meeting in Beijing have pledged USD 1.9 billion to fight the dreaded H5N1 bird flu virus.<More>
Militant Attacks Curtails Civil Liberties (Jan 20, 2006)
The United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) said that militant attacks are "significantly damaging" infrastructure in Iraq and widespread lawlessness is dramatically curtailing civil liberties.<More>
More Troops in Trinco (Jan 20, 2006)
Following the Improvised Explosive Device incident yesterday, Sri Lanka deployed more troops in the strategic port city Trincomalee.<More>
Netherlands Praises India's Economic Progress (Jan 20, 2006)
Speaking at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said that India is well on its way to becoming a global economic and political power.<More>
SC Cracks Whip on Sexual Harrassment (Jan 20, 2006)
The Supreme Court has asked all Indian states and Union Territories to abide by its 1997 ruling on sexual harassment