News Analysis - February 2006 @ whatisindia.com

BJP Criticizes Sachar Charter (February 28, 2006)
The controversial Sachar Committee sent out a fax to all district collectors asking them to provide information on Muslims, scheduled class, and scheduled tribe populations within their jurisdiction.< More>

Epidemiological Study Required to Understand India Outbreak (February 28, 2006)
At the end of a two-day meeting of the Asia Pacific Advisory Committee on Influenza (APACI), AIIMS Department of Medicine representative Randeep Guleria speculated that the H5N1 virus will die as the summer peaks.< More>

Larger Investments in Agri, Energy and Infrastructure? (February 28, 2006)
On the eve of the much anticipated budget, the Government economic survey called for large investments in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure and called for fiscal discipline and economic and labor reforms. <More>

Salman Poaching Charges Filed (February 28, 2006)
Another set of charges were filed against actor Salman Khan and 4 other actors in a Jodhpur court for poaching a black buck in 1998.<More>

SC Declines Stay on Jessica Judge Promotion (February 28, 2006)
The controversial judgment that involved the acquittal of Manu Sharma and 8 others in the public murder of Jessica Lal several years ago turned into a national campaign to reopen the case.<More>

33 Vulture, 10 Kites Dead in Sikkim (February 27, 2006)
In a first ever incident, Sikkim reported the mysterious death of 33 vultures and 10 kites at heights of 10-20,000 feet.<More>
Amar Singh & Maulayam Manipulate Democracy (February 27, 2006)
The Uttar Pradesh Congress Party has asked for the arrest of senior member of Samajwadi Party Amar Singh.<More>
Bird Flu Virus Spreads to Gujarat (February 27, 2006)
The district bordering Maharashtra’s Navapur in Gujarat has reported incidents of chickens being infected with the dreaded H5N1 bird flu virus.<More>
BSNL Plans 60m GSM Lines (February 27, 2006)
Government owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is planning to invite bids for 60 million GSM lines valued at USD 4.5 billion.<More>
Indo-UK Council on Science (February 27, 2006)
UK Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Sainsbury announced the formation of India-UK Science and Innovation Council to forge industry-oriented commercial research.<More>
Philippines Announces Emergency (February 27, 2006)
Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced the arrest of heads of two elite security forces groups and other right and left leaders to crush a coup attempt.<More>
PM Convenes Round-table Meeting on J&K (February 27, 2006)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened a round-table meeting on Jammu & Kashmir. With the exception of the Hurriyat Conference (an umbrella group of separatist groups) most political parties and interest groups participated in the discussions.<More>
Wildlife Trust in Wild Buffalo Protection MoU (February 27, 2006)
Delhi-based NGO Wildlife Trust of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chhattisgarh Forest Department to initiate a 3-year program to revive and conserve the wild buffalo population.< More>
9 Get Life in “Best Bakery Case” (February 25, 2006)
Mumbai session’s court accorded 9 accused in the "Best Bakery case" with life sentences and acquitted 8 others for lack of evidence.<More>
Passenger and Freight Fares Untouched (February 25, 2006)
The Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav presented the Railway budget for 2006 with no phenomenal changes but without negative or glittery changes.<More>
Poultry Manufacturers Campaign to Boost Sales (February 25, 2006)
With the story of bird flu off the front pages of newspapers, eclipsed by budget information, large poultry manufacturers are planning to initiate a campaign that will revive their business.<More>
Russia-Iran Joint Venture Promising (February. 25. 2006)
Russian Rosatom Atomic Energy Agency chief Sergei Kiriyenko left for Iran to further the discussions in Moscow just a few days ago to negotiate a peaceful end to the Iran nuclear program standoff. <More>
Saudi Forces Foil Terrorist Attempt (February 25, 2006)
Saudi Arabian security forces seemed to have foiled an attempt by terrorists to disrupt oil supply by bombing the world's largest processing facility at Abqaiq in the Shia majority eastern province.<More>
55 Oil Exploration Blocks Offered (February 24, 2006)
In the largest ever effort to attract investments in oil and natural gas exploration, the Government is offering 55 oil exploration blocks and 10 coal bed methane blocks for bidding.<More>
Army Spends More on Surveillance (February 24, 2006)
Scientific Advisor to Defense minister M. Natarajan said an Airborne Early Warning System (AEWS) was in advanced stages of design.<More>
India-France JV to Compete in Launch Business (February 24, 2006)
The Indian Space Research Organization has teamed up with France's Eads/Astrium to challenge the US predominance in the 4 kilowatts satellite payloads with a launch mass of 2-3 tons.<More>
ISRO to Launch G-SAT4 (February 24, 2006)
The Sri Lankan Government (SLG) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) concluded Norway facilitated direct talks in Geneva agreeing to 4 action items and promised to meet again in April.<More>
Lanka and LTTE Agrees for Ceasefire (February 24, 2006)
The Sri Lankan Government (SLG) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) concluded Norway facilitated direct talks in Geneva agreeing to 4 action items and promised to meet again in April.<More>
Most Samples Test H5N1 Negative (February 24, 2006)
The Health Ministry said that 94 of 95 samples tested negative of bird flu virus. The Ministry said that barring one case, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune and National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Delhi confirmed the rest negative.<More>
SC Regrets AP's Environmental Damage (February 24, 2006)
Addressing public interest litigation by Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Intellectuals' Forum, the Supreme Court (SC) said that it couldn’t reverse environmental damage due to "development."< More>
18 Killed in Nigeria over Cartoons (February 23, 2006)
Reprisal killings in Nigeria saw a Christian mob brutally murdering 18 Muslim youth from the Hausas tribe.<More>
Chief Justice Emphasizes Rule of Law (February 23, 2006)
There was widespread ire among the intelligentsia over the acquittal of the alleged killers of Jessica Lal, a smalltime model, in a public space.<More>
Egypt Continues Support to PA (February 23, 2006)
The terrorist group Hamas was asked to form the government in the Palestinian Territories (PT) by its President Mahmoud Abbas.<More>
India Will Show its 32 FBR to IAEA (February 23, 2006)
The Indo-US civilian nuclear program negotiations thought dead got a boost with the visit of US Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns.<More>
FBT to Track Corporate Malpractice (February 23, 2006)
Experts are questioning the Constitutional validity of the controversial Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT), which may force the Government to either withdraw it or amend the Income Tax Act of 1961.<More>
Govt Reluctantly Accepts Bird Flu Outbreak (February 23, 2006)
After consistently denying human infections, the Health Ministry said that there is "distinct possibility" of humans being infected by the virus and that those suspected of infection have been quarantined.<More>
Lanka-LTTE Start Rocky Peace Talks (February 23, 2006)
The peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government (SLG) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) got off to a rocky start as the LTTE objected to the truce accord is changed.<More>
28 Dead in Nigeria Cartoon Protests (February 22, 2006)
Protests, threats, and rioting continued around the world on the Danish cartoons that showed Prophet Mohammed in uncharitable ways.<More>
Govt Claims Bird Flu “Localized” (February 22, 2006)
The Government claimed that the outbreak of bird flu virus is localized to an area of 3 to 10 kilometers and that all precautionary measures have been taken.< More>
India-France to Double in 5 Years (February 22, 2006)
The visiting French President Jacques Chirac said that an audacious plan is in motion to double Indo-French trade in 5 years.<More>
Severe Criticism for Sachar Charter (February 22, 2006)
A retired General who served 44 years in the Army has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court against the controversial survey of Muslims in secular Government organizations.<More>
SPA Rejects Gnanendra Call (February 22, 2006)
A major rally of a 7-party alliance rejected Nepal King Gnanendra's call to come together to restart the stalled democracy.<More>
US Asks West Asia not to Fund Hamas (February 22, 2006)
Israel imposed a series of sanctions on Palestinian Government as Hamas formed the Government with Ismail Haniya as the new Prime Minister.<More>
France Offers Fossil Fuels Help (February 21, 2006)
US President George Bush defended the civilian nuclear deal with India saying that the use of clean energy will reduce the demand for non-renewable fossil fuels.<More>
Australian Company Claims Bird Flu Vaccine (February 21, 2006)
CSL Ltd of Australia reported that it has produced the smallest vaccine does that can protect humans against the bird flu virus.<More>
Cartoon Rage Burns Benghazi Italian Consulate (February 21, 2006)
Angry Libyan protestors incensed by an Italian Minister's threat to wear T-shirts with the distasteful Danish cartoons and called Muslims "Ali Babas" overran security forces and burnt a consulate building at Benghazi.<More>
ED tightens investigation (February 21, 2006)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned disgraced former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh for a second day in the Iraqi oil-for-food scam.<More>
H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in India Confirmed (February 21, 2006)
Over 27,000 chickens have died in the last 15-day in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra and 70% of them are from the H5N1 bird flu virus strain.<More>
Hamas Rejects Abbas's Call (February 21, 2006)
A new Palestinian Parliament dominated by the terrorist group Hamas was sworn in even as its relationship with its President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel remained uncertain.<More>
India-France Signs 9 Pacts (February 21, 2006)
India and France signed 9 pacts including one on civil nuclear co-operation.<More>
Navy Starts using BrahMos (February 21, 2006)
Ten countries including South Africa and many from the Far East have showed keen interest to buy the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic missile.<More>
Pak Seeks Chinese Assistance in 2 Reactors (February 21, 2006)
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is visiting China for a five-day visit seeking China's help in nuclear energy, textiles, energy, and communications.<More>
Bird Flu Affects Indian Poultry Business (February 20, 2006)
The dreaded H5N1 bird flu reached India in the tribal Nandurbar district of Maharashtra and about 50,000 poultry are suspected to have been infected.<More>
Cartoon Protests in India (February 20, 2006)
About 50,000 Pakistanis marched to protest the cartoons that depict Prophet Mohammed distastefully in Karachi.<More>
ED questions Natwar (February 20, 2006)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly questioned the disgraced former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh over the oil-for-food scam published through the Volker report.<More>
SC Asks Govt to Regulate Ship Breaking Business (February 20, 2006)
The Supreme Court said that it has taken note of the French Government's position to recall Le Clemenceau, the condemned aircraft carrier, back to France for dismantling.<More>
Speaker Defends Supension (February 20, 2006)
Striking a defiant note, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said that the expulsion of the 10 Members of Parliament in the "cash-for-query" scam is "non-justiciable."<More>
UNHCR Asks US to Close Guantanomo (February 20, 2006)
Five independent investigators of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights (UNHCR) asked the United States to shut down the detention center at Guantanomo Bay.<More>
US Admits Kashmiri Terror Camps in Pak (February 20, 2006)
The US admitted that Kashmir-oriented terrorist camps exist in Pakistan and little is being done to dismantle them.<More>
France Offers Rafale Aircraft (February 18, 2006)
India and France will sign several declarations and agreements during the visit of the French President Jacques Chirac early next week.<More>
China Says Nuke Deal Will Help India (February 18, 2006)
The Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Yuxi said that his country "fully understood" India's energy needs as a "rising country in the developing world." <More>
Hamas under Pressure (February 18, 2006)
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said that his country will severe all relations with Palestinian territories if they elect a Hamas leader to be their Prime Minister of Speaker.<More>
Maharashtra Govt. Denies Bird Flu Outbreak (February 18, 2006)
The Maharashtra Government said that the death of 1000 chicken on its border with Gujarat is due the Ranikhet or Newcastle disease and not due to the dreaded H5N1 avian flu virus.< More>
UNICEF Accuses LTTE (February 18, 2006)
In response to a call from the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) announced that it release 28 child soldiers.<More>
Whisky Maker Uses Durga Image in US (February 18, 2006)
In the heels of Danish cartoons that depicted Prophet Mohammed in distasteful manner, a whisky maker used the image of Durga to brand his Southern Comfort brand.<More>
Chirac Recalls Clemenceau (February 17, 2006)
French President Jacques Chirac ordered the condemned aircraft carrier Le Clemenceau to return to France after the highest court ordered a recall.<More>
EU Bans Import of Meat (February 17, 2006)
The scare of the dreaded H5N1 bird flu virus spread in Europe with Germany reporting its first outbreak.<More>
IT to Track Down Bank Depositors (February 17, 2006)
The Finance Ministry has worked out modalities where banks will report a list names and permanent account numbers (PAN) of customers who earn less than Rs. 5000 interest.<More>
Maharashtra Bill to Curb Child Labor (February 17, 2006)
A high-power Committee in Maharashtra recommended that the state make child labor a non-bailable (NB) crime.<More>
Maoists Kidnap 9 Govt Employees (February 17, 2006)
Maoist terrorists in Nepal ambushed an army patrol killing three soldiers and abducted 9 people including 5 Government employees.<More>
Natwar Implicated in Oil for Food Scam (February 17, 2006)
As part of the ongoing investigation into the oil for food (OFFP) scam, the passports of 5 people affiliated with the Congress party have been impounded.<More>
Deuba Released from Prison (February 16, 2006)
In a major set back to King Gnanendra, the Nepal Supreme Court dissolved the anti-corruption body that jailed ousted Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.<More>

SC Wants All Marriages Registered (February 16, 2006)
The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that all marriages, irrespective of religion, must be registered with the Government.<More>

Violent Cartoon Protests in Pak (February 16, 2006)
About 200 Pakistani students, protesting against the Danish cartoons, broke through a high-security cordon in Islamabad and damaged 40 parked and Government cars.<More>

Can Judiciary Judge Parliament Decisions (February 15, 2006)
An important Constitutional debate on the judiciaries right to question, investigate, or pass judgment Parliamentary decisions on its members went a step further.<More>

EU Negotiates Cartoons with OIC (February 15, 2006)
European Union Foreign Minister Javier Solana is on a damage control mission in West Asia to soothe anger over Danish cartoons that depicted Prophet Mohammed in a distasteful manner.<More>

J&K to get Interpol Arrest Warrants (February 15, 2006)
The Jammu & Kashmir police have created solid legal cases against Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed ideologues and leaders to obtain Interpol arrest warrants.<More>

North-South and East-West Road Project Progress Slow (February 15, 2006)
Despite allocations of money, award of contracts, and public claim of success, the North-South and East-West road corridor project, connecting the corners of India remains a distant team.<More>

Rajapakse Offers Power Sharing (February 15, 2006)
Ahead of talks in Geneva, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse said that he does not favor a separate country for the Tamils in the North and East.<More>

Russia Negotiates with Hamas (February 15, 2006)
Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asserted that Israel has the backing of the international community on its Hamas isolation policy but said it is open to peace talks with Palestinians but not the terrorist group Hamas.<More>

SC extends Ban on Clemenceau (February 15, 2006)
The Supreme Court extended the ban of entry for Le Clemenceau into India and asked for a new monitoring committee to investigate pending issues.<More>

Italy & Greece Report H5N1 Outbreak (February 14, 2006)
Italy and Greece reported the outbreak of dreaded H5N1 bird flue virus in wild birds.<More>

Kalam Reviews Navy (February 14, 2006)
After his first review of the Indian Navy, President Abdul Kalam said that the Navy needs to be prepared for more responsibilities other than maritime protection and surveillance.<More>

Mush Confirms Foreign Terrorists Damadola (February 14, 2006)
Almost after a month after a CIA unmanned drone fired missiles to kill alleged Taliban activists, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf confirmed that foreign terrorists were present and killed on that site.<More>

Population Control Programs Inefficient (February 14, 2006)
A Council for Social Development and Oxford University Press report found that Indian population control programs are inefficient because they place "overwhelming responsibility" on women.<More>

The Divisive Sachar Committee (February 14, 2006)
The Federal Government has apparently ordered a survey of Muslims in the Indian defense establishment through the Justice (Retd.) Rajendera Sachar committee.<More>

UIA Will Form Govt in Iraq (February 14, 2006)
The Shia dominated United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), which won 128 seats in the Iraqi Parliamentary elections elected Ibrahim al-Jaafari as its candidate for Prime Minister.<More>

EU Considers Media Moral Code (February 14, 2006)
While violence over the Danish cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed in distasteful manner abated, Danish diplomats in several countries including Syria and Indonesia were cautioned and expatriated to safety.<More>

Bofors Guns to be Upgraded (February 13, 2006)
The Defense Ministry has invited the Tata Group, Israel's El Bit, and Britain's BAE Systems to upgrade 155mm 39 caliber Bofors howitzer guns by the end of the year for USD 400 million.<More>

Intl Community Criticizes Elections (February 13, 2006)
With thousands of opposition party workers in jail, the country under a strike called by Maoist terrorists, and large sections of population staying away, Nepal concluded its controversial mayoral polls.<More>

Large Unorganized Market for Water (February 13, 2006)
Increasing populations, depleting water tables due to free electricity from states to farmers, and irregular power has created a large unorganized market for water.<More>

Nigerian Bird Flu Outbreak Spreads (February 13, 2006)
Nigerian officials are desperately trying to contain the spread of the dreaded H5N1 avian flu virus that has resulted in the culling of several hundred poultry in Kano, a large trading city with millions of people.<More>

Shahabuddin Isolated from Party (February 13, 2006)
Mafia don and Rashtriya Janata Dal Member of Parliament Mohammed Shahabuddin are increasingly isolated even within his own party as more evidence of his terrorist links emerges.<More>

Tourism Sector Grows Impressively (February 13, 2006)
The Indian tourism sector growing at an impressive rate and now makes up 5.83% of the revenue.<More>

World Asks Hamas to Drop Violence (February 13, 2006)
Israeli Ambassador to India David Danielli said that India could make a substantial contribution to peace with Palestinians because it maintained good relations with both sides.<More>

EU Considers Media Moral Code (February 11, 2006)
The EU is considering a moral code of conduct following intense rioting in the Islamic world over distasteful cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist and other uncharitable manner.<More>

French Ambassador Visits Alang (February 11, 2006)
The French Ambassador to India Gerard Dominique visited the Alang ship-breaking yard in Gujarat and said that the facilities were adequate.<More>

Seafood Exporters Threaten to Strike (February 11, 2006)
The seafood exporters association is threatening to go on strike where it will stop all purchase and production of seafood and products.<More>

Suicide Attack in Pak Kills 23 (February 11, 2006)
Suspected suicide bombers accompanied by time bombs exploded in a Shiite procession killing 23 people. Sectarian violence perpetrated by majority Sunni population over minority Shiite and Ahmediyas and reprisal killings have claimed thousands of lives in Pakistan.<More>

20% Increase in Tax Collection (February 10, 2006)
The Income Tax Department reported an increase of 20% in tax collection the last quarter.<More>

H5N1 virus Reaches Nigeria (February 10, 2006)
A virulent strain of bird flu virus has killed 40,000 birds in a large poultry farm in Nigeria. This is the very first known instance of bird flu in Africa.<More>

Indonesia Condemns Cartoons, Accepts “Apology” (February 10, 2006)
Indonesia is trying to walk a tightrope on the issue of Danish cartoons that depict the Prophet Mohammed in a distasteful manner.<More>

Israel Discloses Unilateral Plan (February 10, 2006)
Acting Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel plans to unilaterally annex the Jordan Valley under Palestinian control and also Jewish settlements to Israel.<More>

Nanavati Constitutional Row (February 10, 2006)
A Constitutional row is evolving regarding the Gujarat riots and communication between then President K.R. Narayanan and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.<More>

Strike Paralyzes Nepal (February 10, 2006)
The Maoist threat for a weeklong strike almost paralyzed Nepal even as terrorist killed 8 security men. Terrorists attacked candidates who continued to stay in the mayoral race.<More>

Suicide Bomber Kills 13 in Kandahar (February 10, 2006)
A lone suicide Taliban terrorist exploded a bomb outside the police headquarters in Kandahar, killing 13 people and injuring 14 others.<More>

LIC to invest in power plants (February 09, 2006)
India revealed that it’s five mega coal power plant plan will be financed by the Life Insurance Corporation through Special Purpose Vehicles created by the Power Finance Corporation.<More>

Naxals Attacks Police Station (February 09, 2006)
IIn two separate incidents, Naxalite terrorists attacked police stations and detonated a land mine killing 12 policemen and injuring 21 others in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.<More>

The Department of Posts (DoP) (February 09, 2006)
The Department of Posts (DoP) has stated that it intends to ban Indian courier companies to carry mail that is less than 500 grams.<More>

Cartoon Protests in Afghan (February 08, 2006)
Protests over distasteful cartoons that showed Prophet Mohammed in uncharitable ways spread in many Asian countries often resulting in police firing. In Afghanistan, 2000 protesters tried to storm a US military base in Bagram and police firing killed 2 and injured 5 protestors.<More>

Kalam Says Future of Business is Asia (February 08, 2006)
President Abdul Kalam, on an official visit to the Philippines said that Asia is the "future of business.<More>

SCMC Submits Report (February 08, 2006)
The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee on Hazardous Waste submitted its recommendation to the Supreme Court and said that this would be a "turning point in environmental awareness.<More>

Bugti Rebels Fire 100 Rockets (February 07, 2006)
Bugti insurgents fired over 100 rockets in the South Western province of Baloachistan near the largest gas field killing 8 people, injuring scores, and damaging gas and water pipelines.<More>

Cartoon Protests in Syria and Lebanon (February 07, 2006)
Protestors in Syria and Lebanon burnt the Danish embassies in retaliation for cartoons depicting Islamic Prophet Mohammed in distasteful scenarios.<More>

Indo-Pak Start 3rd Round Dialogue (February 07, 2006)
India and Pakistan will meet July 21-22 to review the third round of composite dialogue process (CDP) of the joint commission.<More>

International Partner for DRDO’s Kaveri Engine (February 07, 2006)
An official of Pratt & Whitney, world’s leading aircraft engine manufacturer, described the Indian Kaveri engine as "truly world-class."<More>

IRRI Wants Collaboration on Rice (February 07, 2006)
Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Director Robert Zeigler asked for visiting Indian President Abdul Kalam's support to start collaboration with Indian scientists.<More>

LTTE Declines Geneva Talks over Kidnap (February 07, 2006)
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said that it would not be ready to participate in the Geneva talks by mid-February as previously arranged.<More>

Maoists Kill Mayoral Candidate (February 07, 2006)
Two days before the controversial February 8 mayoral elections in Nepal, Maoist terrorists killed candidates who dared to defy their order to stay away from democracy.<More>

Opposition Parties Faults Govt on Wheat Import (February 07, 2006)
The Government came in for sharp criticism on its decision to import 500,000 tons of wheat from Australia.<More>

Palestinian Cash Crunch (February 07, 2006)
Hamas is coming to terms with its election victory and administrative responsibilities.;More>

Tribal Ministry Proposes Forest Rights Bill (February 07, 2006)
The Tribal Affairs Ministry Secretary Meena Gupta disclosed that the Scheduled Tribes Bill, also known as Recognition of Forest Rights Bill, would be tabled in the next Parliament session.<More>

US War against Terrorism Costs $440B (February 07, 2006)
The United States Administration is planning to ask for USD 120 billion for its war on Iraq and Afghanistan for 2006.<More>

16 Taliban Terrorists Killed (February 06, 2006)
About 200 Taliban terrorists attacked an Afghan police convoy killing three policemen in Southern Helmand province.<More>

French Court Rejects Govt Plea (February 06, 2006)
A Versailles court rejected a French Government bid to block independent investigation on the quantity of asbestos present on the de-commissioned aircraft carrier Le Clemenceau.<More>

India, Philippines Sign 4 Accords (February 06, 2006)
India and the Philippines signed 4 accords for closer co-operation on defense, agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceuticals.<More>

India, Russia Negotiate 10B Defense Deal (February 06, 2006)
India and Russia are in advanced stage of negotiations in a USD 10 billion-defense deal to modernize outdated Soviet Union and Russian equipment.<More>

NHRC Praises Karanataka (February 06, 2006)
A naval version of Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft, was tested for possible induction in the navy by April 2007.<More>

US Rebuffs Pak Nuke Parity Claim (February 06, 2006)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, touring the US, asked for nuclear parity with India but received a studied silence instead of lectures on Pakistan's horrendous proliferation record.<More>

US Says Pak Major Source of Extremism (February 06, 2006)
The National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said that Pakistan-based terrorists active in Kashmir pose a persistent threat to regional security and some are a "potential threat" to US interests worldwide.<More>

Common Flu Vaccine Control H5N1 Virus in Mice (February 04, 2006)
US Scientists at the Center for Disease Control and Purdue University published a study in the journal The Lancet, that a variation of a vaccine based on common flu controlled the dreaded H5N1 in mice.<More>

Gem Exports Grows 15% (February 04, 2006)
Despite tough economic hurdles, the Gems and Jewelry exports from India grew at 15% to USD 17 billion. Imports grew at 32% to USD 13.8 billion.<More>

HRCP Accuses Pak on Baloch Killing (February 04, 2006)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has accused the Pakistan armed forces of indiscriminate bombing, killing, torture, and mysterious disappearances in Baloachistan.<More>

Israel Stops Palestinian Money Transfers (February 04, 2006)
The Palestinian Authority saw the first effects of the Hamas victory in last week's elections when Israel stopped transfer of moneys to the administration.<More>

Naval LCA in 2007 (February 04, 2006)
A naval version of Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft, was tested for possible induction in the navy by April 2007.<More>

SC Asks States to Protect Childs’ Rights (February 04, 2006)
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) the Supreme Court (SC) has asked all Indian states and Union Territories to provide information on enforcement details of child labor abolition for children aged 6-14.<More>

Textile Exporters Fault US, EU Limitations (February 04, 2006)
The Indian Textile Export Promotion Council said that restrictive practices in the US and EU continue to block exports of textile raw materials to those countries.<More>

UN Appoints Baglihar Dam Arbitrator (February 04, 2006)
In a major climb down from inflexible position, Pakistan has admitted to the United Nations that Indian construction of the Baglihar dam is within the legal scope of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.<More>

Govt to Regulate 9000 Ayurvedic Companies (February 03, 2006)
The Indian Council for Medical Research said that it would start testing of Ayurvedic, Unani, and Sidhha drugs on animals.<More>

Largest Oil Exploration Tranche (February 03, 2006)
In the largest ever tranche, India will offer 55 oil blocks, mostly offshore, covering 300000 square kilometers for exploration. From 1999, India has offered 90 such product-sharing contracts in 4 lots as part of its New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP).<More>

Maoist Attacks Army Base, Kills 19 (February 03, 2006)
Less than a week before the scheduled February 8 mayoral elections in Nepal, Maoist terrorists attacked an army base killing 19 police and soldiers even as demonstrators in Katmandu protested the assumption of power by King Gnanendra.<More>

More Indo-US Defense Ties (February 03, 2006)
The Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee has invited international defense vendors to jointly develop defense equipment with the 39 labs and factories of the Government.<More>

Singapore Considering SEZ (February 03, 2006)
Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong told Indian President that his country is considering a special economic zone (SEZ) in India that would help boost Foreign Direct Investment.<More>

UGC Unveils “Educenter” (February 03, 2006)
The University Grants Commission inaugurated an experimental Educenter text and video supplementary content to students on a 24X7 basis.<More>

Bangla Opposition to Demonstrate (February 02, 2006)
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's ruling coalition arrested thousands of a 13 party opposition to breakup a planned demonstration over the weekend.<More>

LTTE Condemns Kidnap of 5 Tamils (February 02, 2006) The LTTE strongly reacted to the abduction of five Tamil aid workers by unidentified men. It said that it could be "Sri Lankan forces or it may be the Karuna group.<More>

Nepal Arrests Student Leader (February 02, 2006)
The Nepal Government arrested the leader of an 8-group student union thought to be aligned to the 7-party alliance opposed to the February 8 mayoral elections.<More>

Pak to Import 50K tons Sugar from India (February 02, 2006)
Pakistan is to import 50000 tons of sugar from India to meet domestic demand and maintainable market prices.<More>

Danish Cartoons Strain Saudi-Denmark Relations (February 01, 2006)
A recent set of cartoons in a Danish newspaper lampooning Islamic Prophet Mohammed has created serious tensions between Saudi Arabia and Denmark.<More>

Dhaka Terror Cell in IISc Attack (February 01, 2006)
New evidence has emerged that a Dhaka based terror cell coordinated and executed the Dec 2005 IISc terrorist attack while the direction came from Pakistan and the funding from West Asia.<More>

Fast Track Courts to Sort IPR Issues (February 01, 2006)
A United States Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Judge said that India could consider fast track courts dedicated to deal with IPR issues.<More>

India Leprosy Rate Down (February 01, 2006)
India has achieved a major milestone in containing the threat of leprosy by bringing down the number of cases to 107000 or about .95 for every 10000 people.<More>

Maoists Threaten Mayoral Candidates (February 01, 2006)
Following through on their threat to disrupt February 8 local elections in Nepal, Maoists terrorists tried to murder a mayoral candidate at his home and critically wounding him.<More>

Saudi Claims Victory over al Qaeda (February 01, 2006)
Saudi security experts say that the Saudi Arabian monarchy has managed to stamp out an al Qaeda led insurgency that started in 2003 and claimed 264 lives in 25 incidents.<More>

UK Threatens Supply Delivery for Myanmar Deal (February 01, 2006)
The United Kingdom Ambassador Michael Arthur has asked India not to fulfill the promise of selling BN-2 Islander aircraft to Myanmar.<More>

US Not to Support a Hamas Govt (February 01, 2006)
The United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the US will not aid a Hamas Government in Palestinian territories.<More>

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