Nation & States
   
PM to encourage alternative fuels
to beat crude price escalation 

What is India News Service, August 21, 2004, 2200 hrs IST

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said his government would endeavour to make India a leader in the new and renewable energy sector in a short time to “realise the dream of Rajiv Gandhi.” 

Releasing a commemorative stamp to mark the 60th birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister, Dr Singh said efforts would be made to find a substitute for diesel, and asked the ministries concerned to focus on developing alternative fuels.

BJP in a spot over Uma Bharti: Trapped in a web of its own making, the Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary Board is meeting here on Monday to decide the fate of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti, who has reportedly been issued a non-bailable warrant against her by a Hubli court.

2 Indian lifters in dope net: Even as Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was winning his silver medal, Indian officials were sitting on a powderkeg. Two Indian weightlifters had failed dope tests at the Oly-mpics. Pratima Kumari, India’s lifter in the 63-kg category, had tested positive for testosterone, a banned steroid. 

Truck strike may not hit essentials: State transport buses will be deployed for carrying milk and other essential items. Some states are also maintaining petroleum stocks.

Supreme Court stays Cauvery tribunal’s TN tour:  Ram Jethmalani submitted that the inspection by judges who are not experts in the issues involved is a waste of time and public money.

Pratima cries foul, Dutt orders probe: Disgraced weightlifter Pratima Kumari, who has tested positive for a banned substance, has cried foul, alleging that a malignant sports setup has “done her in”, while Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Dutt asserted here today that the guilty will be punished, after unravelling the truth.

Four former Bihar MPs join LJP: A serious political challenge to Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav is in the offing in his own state as the Lok Janshakti Party of Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan got a shot in the arm when four prominent leaders from Bihar joined his party here today.


States

Hunger deaths stalk village in Medak district: While the rest of the country was celebrating Independence Day, the villagers of Pulimamidi, in Chegunta mandal of Medak district, just 80 km from the State capital, woke up to the wails from the household of Mandaram Buttaiah.

12 missing as trawler capsizes at sea: Twelve crew members of the deep-sea fishing vessel MFV Sarani of the Saravanan Mar-ine Products Private Limited went missing after the vessel, carrying 13 persons, capsized west of anchorage, about 78 nautical miles off Paradip coast on Thursday midnight.

Battle for legacy Longowal: A battle seems to have broken out for the legacy of Harchand Singh Longowal, former SAD President and the one responsible for signing the Rajiv-Longowal accord on behalf of the Akalis.


Neighbours


Bangladesh ex-PM survives kill bid: Seven people were killed when bombs or grenades exploded as former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed ended her address to a public meeting outside her headquarters on Saturday, police and witnesses said. Hospital officials said at least 50 were wounded in the blasts. Police said at least 10 policemen were injured. 

US wants LTTE to stop killings: Washington, after reviewing the situation in the island nation, said it was time peace talks were resumed.

New faces likely in Aziz cabinet: The prime minister-in-waiting, Mr Shaukat Aziz, is likely to include a number of new faces in his cabinet, reshuffle portfolios of some of the ministers and even drop a few of them when he forms his cabinet ...

Nepal takes steps to tackle ban: The government has said it will disclose the whereabouts of the missing leaders affiliated to the Maoists within a month.

US urged to ensure shrines' sanctity: President General Pervez Musharraf in a telephonic conversation with Commander in Chief US Central Command, General John P Abizaid, conveyed the concern of the people and government of Pakistan regarding the sanctity of holy shrines.

S Asia key field in terrorism war, says Rocca: The US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs has said South Asia is a key battleground in a global war on terror that began long before the 9/11 attacks.

Dialogue with India satisfactory, says Pakistan: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that the peace process with India has been moving forward successfully. 

Balochistan senators oppose new cantonments: Both opposition and treasury senators from Balochistan on Friday opposed the proposal to establish cantonments in the province’s districts and demanded that political means be adopted to resolve the looming crises in the underprivileged province.

Pakistan alleges airspace violation: A spy plane of the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan violated the Pakistani airspace and entered the Kudakhel village in Mohmand Agency on the night between Thursday and Friday. ..


View from abroad 

India's newest export to Europe is cricket: Spills, chills and assorted ills couldn't stop India's newest export to Continental Europe.

Canada goes US way, drags feet on immigration files: Canada seems to be aping the US and dragging its feet over processing immigration files. Immigration hopefuls complain that if it earlier took about 18 to 20 months for files to get cleared, it now takes about 36 to 53 months.


Overall:

PM underlined the need for alternative fuel: The prime minister will encourage an alternative to diesel.

Bangladesh leader survived kill bid: Former PM Sheikh Hasina's office was bombed, and at least seven people have died. 

Aziz may choose new faces: The new Pakistani prime minister is likely to induct new faces into his ministry.