Wednesday, 29 December 2004, 2000 hrs

TOP STORIES
Tsunami toll over 7,000 
in Tamil Nadu, Pondy 
Three days after the tsunami disaster hit coastal areas of the country, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry are still counting their dead amidst stepped up efforts to prevent any outbreak of epidemics


BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Tribals to get right to
minor forest produce
Forest dwellers, including tribals, will soon have the legal right to minor produce from forests, says Environment Minister A Raja

 

Outlook
A tale of two Indias
Verdict 2004 showed the 'boom' wasn't reality to the multitudes. But life goes on. By C RAMMANOHAR REDDY


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Asia Times
Where Osama bin Laden went wrong
Just as Washington has lamented its failure to prevent the attacks of September 11, 2001, the attackers, too, likely feel pangs of regret. Had Osama bin Laden been patient and worked to consolidate the Taliban's gains made through the assassination of the Northern Alliance leader two days earlier, his dreams for the Central Asian region might have come closer to fruition. By VIKRAM SOOD


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Pioneer
Track II of Govt orders
In an age of hidden cameras and Tehelka-style journalism, it is fashionable to decry Parliament as a wasteful shouting shop. Some of the scepticism about the performance and sincerity of our MPs are undeniably justified but so, for that matter, is the unease with the media. By SWAPAN DASGUPTA

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Indian Express
Sex and Sensibility
The legal challenges thrown up by the MMS case are not its most challenging aspect. Nor can psychological insights take the place of moral discrimination, says PRATAP BHANU MEHTA

TOP PICKS

OPINION


When the sea rose (Deccan Herald)
Spying at the UN (Deccan Herald)
A tide of e-waste (Hindu)
Bush: A shaky start (Hindu)