News Reel

l NO one wins the latest round of Indo-Pak shadowboxing but Islamabad and New Delhi reach some agreement on another set of CBMs. Those older...

l NO one wins the latest round of Indo-Pak shadowboxing but Islamabad and New Delhi reach some agreement on another set of CBMs. Those older than 65 can now cross the Wagah border by foot and fishermen from both countries won8217;t get caught in the coast guard net for long periods. However, Pakistan effectively scuttles the key proposal for a Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service by attaching UN riders. The show now shifts to the fresh round of talks over restoration of air links to be held in December first week.

l MEANWHILE, one incident that took Indo-Pak relations to its nadir jumps back to limelight. The Delhi High Court acquits two convicted in the December 13 Parliament attack case while upholding the death penalty against two others. Delhi University lecturer S A R Geelani 8212; sentenced to death by a trial court 8212; is freed as is Afshan Guru who had been given five years earlier.

l RENOWNED carnatic musician Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer dies at his residence due to old age. He was 96.

l BIG B adds a big feather to his cap by joining Hollywood legends Roger Moore and Audrey Hepburn as the goodwill ambassador of the UNICEF. 8216;8216;When he speaks, people from all walks of life listen carefully,8217;8217; is what UNICEF representative Maria Calvis had to say.

l END of an era in Malaysia as Mahathir Mohamad steps down as Prime Minister after 22 years in power. Mahathir, 77, assumed power in 1981 and is credited with spearheading Malaysia8217;s transformation from a rubber- and tin- producing backwater to one of southeast Asia8217;s most prosperous and modern countries.

l PAKISTAN arrests top Opposition leader Javed Hashmi on charges of 8216;8216;treason8217;8217; sparking off a flurry of protests. Hashmi was nabbed at Parliament premise along with his driver for releasing an unsigned letter purportedly written by Army officials criticising the Army8217;s continued role in politics.

l ISLAND of grief lights up as the dreaded Tamil tigers hand over power-sharing proposals to Norwegian mediators. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE have never before put down their political proposals in writing and had only rejected proposals of consecutive Colombo governments.

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l Supreme Court steps in and cancels the swearing-in of the chairman and member secretary of the newly set up Competition Commission.

Giving its view on a PIL, th court calls the appointment a 8216;8216;direct onslaught on the high courts.8217;8217;

l DIVISIONS in telephony gets diffused as the Cabinet clears unification of basic and cellular licences. However, a much-awaited decision on enhancing foreign investment limit in telecom sector to 74 per cent from 49 per cent is deferred.

l India records a 8216;revenge8217; win over World Cup champions Australia in the tri-series at Gwalior with Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar striking form with his 35th one-day international century. There was action in the much-delayed yet much-hyped inaugural Afro Asian Games at Hyderabad. Although the field in most of the eight disciplines was depleted, victory over Pakistan in men8217;s hockey final once again proves India8217;s continued dominance over their traditional rivals, following their success in the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur last month. Tennis was another event at these Games which was completely dominated by the hosts who went on to make a clean sweep of all the seven titles.