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PM urges UN to lead
war against terror

What is India News Service, Friday, September 24, 2004, 2200 hrs IST

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday called for a consensus-based international security order and urged the United Nations to mobilise the global community in an effort to resolve transnational problems of conflict and underdevelopment.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, the prime minister said international cooperation was necessary to fight the menace caused by terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

In a friendly message to the US, the commander-in-chief of the anti-terrorism coalition, Dr Singh said this global force must be given “substance and credibility, avoiding selective approaches and political expediency”.

Pranab to direct Army to provide female gynaecologists: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today he would direct the Army to make available female gynaecologists for medical examination of women candidates in the wake of an aspirant’s complaint that she was rejected because she refused to undergo tests by a male gynaecologist.

Andhra Pradesh invites Naxal leaders for talks: Ending weeks of speculation, the Andhra Pradesh Government on Thursday invited Naxalite leaders for direct talks to find a solution to the Naxalite problem plaguing the State for 35 years. 

Journalist moves SC in contempt case: A correspondent of TV news channel Aaj Tak today filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the contempt proceedings initiated against him by the Madras High Court for his faxing a letter to its Chief Justice asking for his views on certain “documents”.

Youth should not depend on govt jobs, says Kalam: The President lamented that economic growth and investments have not kept pace with the kind of human resources available.

Indian team back from Lhasa: China has assured India that it will make efforts to “gradually leak” water from the lake on Parchu tributary of Sutlej before the “next flood season.” The lake, formed by landslides, had caused threat of flash floods in Himachal Pradesh last month.


Zee's show was at Gudiya's 'behest': With the 'Reality TV' Gudiya episode receiving flak from all quarters, and even being termed a case of 'cheque book' journalism, Zee News says it wants to set the record straight. 

Vice-Chancellors meet in Goa: Vice-Chancellors of universities across the country, and experts from the field of Information Technology, are attending a three-day session to chalk out a blueprint for integrating technology in teaching and research.

As Centre dithers, ULFA spreads terror: Conflicting statements recently made by the Central Government and the ULFA about possible talks between them is only confounding the confusion.

Raja Ramanna critically ill: The former Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Raja Ramanna, is undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital. 
 
States

Punjab lifts ban on recruitments, 5,000 posts to be filled:  Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced the government would start recruitment to raise one Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) immediately.

Patnaik to review all extremist-related cases: In a step which may pave the path for a dialogue with the Left-wing ultras, Chief Minister Navin Patnaik is reported to have decided to review all extremism-related cases pending in the state.

Cong-NCP try logic, lollipops on rebels: The Congress-NCP leadership is not at all worried about the collapse of the "grand alliance", but the presence of rebels in a large number of constituencies has certainly alerted it to serious peril.

More drama in store: "They are no custodians of the Kannada film industry," Kannada producers said in response to a South Indian film body's threat to boycott Kannada artistes and stop raw stock supplies. 

No need for POTA, says Virbhadra: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today justified the repealing of POTA by the Central Government.

Neighbours


Afghan forces arrest five militants: Afghan security forces arrested five Islamic fighters, including a group commander of an outlawed militant group, after a crackdown on their hideouts just south of Kabul.

Ten women abused every day: Violence against women is rampant in Pakistan’s patriarchal society and is increasing day by day. Every year thousands of women are brutally murdered or tortured, according to non-government organisation Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA).

Musharraf calls for promoting Pakistan interests in US: President Pervez Musharraf has said that in the past Pakistan suffered because of America's close relations with India while urging members of the newly-formed Pakistan caucus to protect Islamabad's interests on Capitol Hill.


View from abroad 

Subcontinental marriage migration to UK peaking: An anti-immigration group says that brides and grooms from Indian subcontinent doubled between 1996 and 2001 to 22,000 a year.

US says infiltration in J&K a cause of concern: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Kashmir is on the table between India and Pakistan, but cross-border infiltration "remains an issue of serious concern to Indians".

Overall:

PM said UN should lead fight against terror: His address to the world body called for an international consensus on dealing with terror.

Punjab lifted freeze on recruitments:  About 5,000 people will now get jobs.

Zee defended reality show: The channel, criticised for its "choose a husband" show, said it had hosted it at the behest of the soldier's wife.