Top Stories
India, Russia to collaborate on
space navigation system
What is India News Service, Thursday, 2 December 2004, 2000 hrs IST
India will join forces with Russia in building a space navigation system and using it for civilian and possibly military purposes, Russia's space chief said.
Under a milestone accord to be signed during the Russian President, Vladimir Putin's visit to India this week, India will become Russia's equal — and sole — partner in reviving and updating the Global Navigational Satellite System (Glonass), the only alternative to the American Global Positioning System (GPS).
India's participation will help Russia save time and effort in making Glonass operational by increasing its network of satellites from 11 to at least 18 by 2007, Anatoly Perminov, head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, said. At least 18 satellites are needed to make the Glonass system operational.
Not enough 'ground' to court arrest: As rallyists swarmed the Capital from all sides, a swamped Delhi Police on Wednesday lost the numbers game pretty early as endless eager beavers surged forward to court arrest in protest against the anti-people policies of the UPA Government. The 40-odd DTC buses meant to ferry the protesters courting arrest proved woefully inadequate and the police hastily directed rallyists to head for Ambedkar Stadium, which filled up in no time.
Opposition stages walkout over price rise: The first day of the winter session of Parliament today saw the Left parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Opposition on the same side in the Lok Sabha on the price hike issue.
Stormy start to winter session: The proceedings of the winter session of the Lok Sabha commenced on a stormy note, as agitated members of the Bahujan Samaj Party trooped to the well of the House demanding the dismissal of the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh for arresting one of their colleagues Md Tahir.
VHP gives clean chit to Jaya in seer case: Contrary to the claims by BJP leaders, the VHP working president, Mr Ashok Singhal, today gave a clean chit to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. J. Jayalalithaa, regarding the Sankararaman murder charge against the Kanchi Shankaracharya and instead trained his guns on Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Acharya's counsel submits further arguments for bail: A day after orders on the bail application of Kanchi Sankaracharya was reserved by the Madras High Court, the Acharya's senior counsel put forth more arguments to strengthen his bail plea.
Maoists consolidating, say police: Top police officials said that an ‘administrative consensus’ between various affected governments on the naxalites issue, would go a long way in dealing with it, effectively.
Pak soldiers encroach on Indian land: Pakistani troops recently encroached upon a 40 metre land in Ballard area along the IB in Samba sub-sector of Jammu frontier but there was no tension between the border guards of the two countries, BSF DIG, Jammu Sector, P K Mishra said.
Cong washes its hands off Lalu campaign: The Congress does not approve of RJD's irresponsible behaviour in Parliament on the issue of certain charges made by the former daughter-in-law of Leader of Opposition LK Advani. In fact, the ties between the Congress and the RJD appear to have come under strain following Wednesday's ruckus in Lok Sabha.
Manmohan Singh tries to tame Laloo, Paswan: With the opposition all set to target the UPA government over the Paswan-Laloo Yadav public spat, a damage- control exercise was set in motion today with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaking separately to his Cabinet ministers, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav in this connection.
Arjun for border of love with Pak: Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh today said both India and Pakistan’s future lay in drawing borders of love for each other, which, he said, was the only way for progress of both countries.
Swedish doctor blames Carbide, govts for disaster: Union Carbide and the Governments of India and Madhya Pradesh were to squarely blame for the catastrophe that struck the unsuspecting residents of Bhopal 20 years ago, according to Swedish medical practitioner Ingrid Eckerman.
Indiscipline won’t be tolerated, says Army Chief: Increasing incidents of indiscipline in the Army prompted Chief of the Army Staff N C Vij to say that the force was determined to deal sternly with violators and ensure that troops followed the laid-down code of conduct.
Cabinet approves judiciary e-panel: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to establish an E-committee to formulate a national policy on computerisation of Indian judiciary.
We are with NDA in House, says TDP: Keen not to give an impression that the Telugu Desam Party is drifting away from the NDA after the alliance lost the elections, the party clarified that it will continue floor coordination with the Opposition.
States
Krishna finally accepts governorship: Krishna is supposed to have requested Sonia that he should be permitted to go back to Karnataka to renew his political career after serving Maharashtra.
Inclusion of Kurmis in ST list causes dispute in Jharkhand: Kurmis say they were inexplicably removed from the ST list in 1950, but Adivasis fear for their reservation benefits and adivasi land, the ownership of which is restricted to tribals.
Direct Haj flights from Srinagar: Indian Airlines will operate direct Haj flights from Srinagar to Jeddah from this year. It reversed an earlier decision to fly via New Delhi.
Tripura Congress launches 5-day protest rally: The Congress has started a five-day long ‘padayatra’ against the left front government of the state which will end on December 5.
Scuffle in Patna jail: A scuffle broke out today between security personnel of the Beur Central Jail and supporters of the incarcerated Rashtriya Janata Dal MP, Pappu Yadav.
Neighbours
Foreign Secretaries' talks rescheduled: The second round of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan at the level of Foreign Secretaries originally scheduled to be held on December 23 and 24 would now take place on December 27 and 28.
Pakistan president defends signing of bill: Acting President Muhammadmian Soomro on Wednesday strongly defended signing of the dual-office bill that allows President Musharraf to keep the office of the army chief beyond December 31, 2004.
View from abroad
UN panel for efforts to resolve Kashmir, Palestine issues: A United Nations panel which recommended sweeping reforms in the organization, on Tuesday called on the world body to "redouble its efforts" to resolve the festering Kashmir dispute.
Overall
Putin will bring big accord: India and Russia are poised to challenge American hegemony over space
Acharya's counsel offered more reasons for bail: He reinforced his efforts to have the seer released.
Foreign Secretaries talk was postponed: India and Pakistan will now talk on december 27 and 28.
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