Top Stories

Kanishka conviction failed
because of police neglect 

What is India News Service, Friday, 18 March 2005, 1700 hrs IST

The Canadian court verdict in the bombing of Air-India aircraft 20 years ago points to serious lapses  in the investigations. 

It is a story of dulling spooks, missed opportunities and 'unacceptable negligence' on the part of Canada's chief spy agency, the Canadian security Intelligence Service (CSIS). British Columbia Supreme court Justice Ian Josephson observed. 

The judge was of the view that the problem with the police and intelligence agencies was not they lacked the tools to fight terrorism but of not using them. Besides, there was a lack of coordination among the various agencies, the court said. 

In his 500-page judgment, Justice Josephson acquitted the two sikhs, Vancouver millionaire businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik and Kamloops millworker Ajaib Singh Bagri allegedly involved in militant sikh movement after a 19-month trial on Wednesday. 

SC clears air on attempted influence: A Bench of the Supreme Court today clarified that there was no pressure on its presiding Judge, Mr Justice S. N. Variava, for changing the Special Judge at Patna holding trial in the fodder scam and disproportionate assets cases against Union Minister of Railways Laloo Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, respectively.

Related stories:
My inference was wrong, says Supreme Court judge
Judge’s disclosure to be probed

Centre unveils scheme for unemployed: In an apparent attempt to please the Left parties, the government today unveiled the country’s first unemployment allowance scheme which would cover eight million employees insured with the Employees State Insurance Corporation.

Savings account holders may be spared: Home savings account holders may heave a sigh of relief as they are likely to be exempted from the "nominal" 0.1 per cent tax on cash withdrawal of Rs. 10,000 and above from banks.

Modi denied visa to visit United States: The US has denied visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to visit the country apparently because of Gujarat riots. Modi has been denied diplomatic visa and his tourist/business visa already granted has also been withdrawn.

Vote-on-account passed: The Lok Sabha today passed the vote on account for Rs 1,69,269 crore for defraying government expenditure for the first two months of 2005-06. The House also passed the relevant Appropriation Bills.

Arms to Pak may affect talks, says Pranab: Even as India and the USA move towards increasing their military-to-military contacts and sale of defence equipment, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today sent out a cautious signal to Washington that the supply of weapons including F-16 fighter planes, by the USA to Pakistan could impact the composite dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Centre to go ahead with CME: Indian Medical Association rejected Health Minister’s proposal saying that conducting examinations every five years is not practical. 

SC allows Pappu Yadav to take oath: The Supreme Court today permitted the jailed RJD MP, Mr Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, to be taken to Parliament on March 21 from Tihar Jail to take oath as Lok Sabha member. Last year, he could not take the oath after his election from Madhepura in Bihar because of the cancellation of his bail in a murder case.


States

CM returns with 21 prisoners: It was the most poignant moment in the life of Mr Satpal when he met his son, Narinder Pal, who entered India through the Wagah joint check post along with 20 other Indian prisoners on being repatriated by the Pakistan government today. Like other parents, he swiftly moved to embrace his son who had been languishing in a Pakistani jail.

Ray film archive to be set up in Kolkata: ‘If Europeans can boast of Bergman, Trauffut and Godard, and America of Chaplin, we have our Ray,’ says Jaya Bachchan. 

CM-Gowda meet rocks Karnataka Assembly: Opposition stages walkout, demands Chief Minister Dharam Singh’s resignation.

Govt sets up tiger task force: Amid reports that tigers in Sariska have fallen to poaching and similar fears being expressed over other regions, the National Board for Wildlife has constituted a task force to give an account of tigers in the wildlife parks across the country. The probe on disappearance of tigers in Sariska has been entrusted to the CBI.

Karunakaran to stay in party, fight to finish: With Chief Minister Oommen Chandy baying for his blood and Kerala PCC seeking action against the 'rebels', Old Guard K Karunakaran is sending mixed signals to the party high command about his political intentions.

MGR bungalow now a safe haven for anti-socials: It's an elegant century-old ranch-style bungalow on about 2.5 acres of wooded land, and its known as the MGR Bungalow. But today it has become a haven for anti-social elements. 

Freak mishap in zoo kills boy: Unaware of what was to come the children were nearing a bridge in the zoo premises, when a heavy branch of a tree fell on them. 

Neighbours


Rice mildly nudges Pak on democracy : US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice on Thursday called on Pakistan to continue down 'a democratic path'.

Rice stresses need for free, fair polls in '07: US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice on Thursday conveyed to her hosts Washington's concerns about democracy in Pakistan and underscored the need for fair and free elections in 2007.

Three objections to Neelum dam: Pakistan has raised three major objections against the Kishanganga storage and hydropower project being built by India on river Neelum in Kashmir.

China is worried about anti-govt rebellion in Nepal: Chinese ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping, has said being a close neighbour China is worried about anti-government rebellion in Nepal.

Britain suspends aid to Nepal police and PMO
The British government has suspended part of the aid it had pledged to Nepal Police, prison services and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), reports from London said.

 
View from abroad

NRI plans India's largest mall in Bangalore: After building royal palaces, majestic villas, grandiose mosques and posh hotels in the Gulf, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) has set his sights on India's Silicon Valley to build the country's largest retail mall.

CIA chief warns of attacks from ultras in Pak: Warning that terrorists in Pakistan remained committed to attacking US targets, a top American intelligence official has said it may be only a matter of time before the al Qaeda or any other group attempts to use chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.

Overall

Police neglected Kanishka case:  The judge said in his 500-page verdict that the Canadian police had not done their work well.

US denied Modi a visa: As Gujarat CM, he had taken away religious freedom, the embassy said.  

Rice nudged Pakistan about democracy: She urged a free and fair election in 2007.