Newsreel 18.01.04

• Ice melts between the Hurriyat and the Centre as both sides hail their initial round of talks as a breakthrough. The consensus: &#145...

• Ice melts between the Hurriyat and the Centre as both sides hail their initial round of talks as a breakthrough. The consensus: ‘‘an end to all forms of violence at all levels and to replace the gun with the sound of politics.’’ To do that, both sides agreed, the dialogue process has to continue and fixed the next round of talks for the end of March. A day after, the Hurriyat delegation comprising chairman Abbas Ansari, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq,Abdul Gani Bhat, Fazal Haq and Bilal Lone is granted an audience with PM Vajpayee.

• FIIs keep the market on its toes as the Sensex goes down by over 500 points in two days and recover on the third to post the highest single-day gain in over four years. The consolidation comes as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) clarifies its stand on the use of participatory notes by foreign hedge funds and Moody’s upgrade India’s rating. The week’s closure: 5,816.64. Still along way down from the 6026mark it recorded in January first week.

• And now a feel-bad backlash. The US Senate passes a law barring doling out sub-contracts to India and other countries by American companies to cut their costs. The legal measure, originally sponsored by Republican Senator from Ohio George Voinovich and others, finds its way in a $328-billion spending Bill passed by the Senate.

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• Barrack no.7 in the Burail jail in Chandigarh captures the nation’s imagination as four undertrials including three charged with the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh dig a 100-foot tunnel out of the prison and escape. The tunnel skipped foundations of three walls to open in the fields where the last hurdle, a 10-foot-high wall, was scaled by Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jagtar Singh Tara, Paramjeet Singh Piyora — accused of conspiracy in the 1995 assassination — and Dev Singh, a murder accused, who was their ‘cook-cum-helper.’

• At the end of the week, it was all sound and fury signifying precious little. Just like the host meet World Social Forum (WSF). A South African AIDS activist accuses fellow delegate and judge Sirajuddin Desai of raping her. As the judge seeks to prove his innocence from inside the Cuffe Parade lock-up in Mumbai, the ‘‘victim’’unilaterally withdraws the charge.

• Admiral Gorshkov comes to India, finally. In one of the biggest defence deals made by the country, Defence Minister George Fernandes inks the papers with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov for the $1.5-billion sale of the air craft carrier.

• India’s smooth ride in Australia met a few unexpected potholes. After Dravid was fined for tampering with the ball, skipper Ganguly was pulled up for slow over rate. But there was no stopping VVS Laxman who carried his Test form to the one-dayers. Three centuries in three games saw him hit a historic streak. More action from Australia: Leander Paes makes his comeback at the year’s first Grand Slam partnering with Martina Navratilova

UK to Andhra, scamsters targeting Tirupati Balaji devotees, temple trust jumps to action

India25 min ago

The TTD has issued a warning to devotees about online fraudsters offering fake services such as hotel bookings, free darshans, and Kalyanam events. Strict action is being taken against those involved in such scams, including those operating from abroad. Complaints have also been received about unauthorized use of TTD's name and logo, and promises of free items in exchange for payments.

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