National brief

A Delhi court has cancelled non-bailable warrants against three former MPs for failing to appear before it in connection with the cash-for-query scam....

Cash-for-query: three NBWs cancelled

DELHI: A Delhi court has cancelled non-bailable warrants against three former MPs for failing to appear before it in connection with the cash-for-query scam. The court allowed the plea by Narendra Kumar Kushwaha,Lal Chandra Kol and Manoj Kumar on the ground that they could not appear in court because they were not informed about the time. The three were accused of misusing their office after they were caught on camera in 2005 seeking money for questions in Parliament.

Ustad Zakir Hussains mother dies

MUMBAI: Bavi Begum Allarakha,wife of tabla legend late Ustad Allarakha,passed away here on Saturday. Mother of tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain,Khurshid,late Razia,Fazal and Taufiq Quereshi,she was known as Ammaji. Coming from a humble background,82-year-old Ammaji was known for her generosity to students who came to study with her husband and later with Zakir. The funeral will take place on Wednesday,October 28,at 4 pm at Mahim Kabristaan,family sources said.

Top Hizbul commander killed

SRINAGAR: Two days ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs Kashmir visit,the J-K Police and Army on Monday killed a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander and his two accomplices in an encounter. The Hizbul Mujahideen divisional Commander Saqib and his associates were killed at Keller in south Kashmirs Shopian district. The other two militants have been identified as Riyaz Poswal and Ishfaq Ahmad.

Teen group attacks Sikh in Melbourne

MELBOURNE: In the latest in a series of attacks on Indians here,a Sikh was assaulted by a group of Australian teenagers as he was sleeping at a bus stop in Melbourne. The assailants punched the 22-year-old Indian in the head and removed his turban. Police said they are investigating the unprovoked bashing of the youth on Sunday. The name and other details of the Indian have not yet been released.

AMU student shot,one arrested

ALIGARH: An undergraduate student of Aligarh Muslim University,Shahnawaz,was shot dead by local hoodlums following a minor tiff over parking of vehicles,police said on Monday. Security measures at the campus have been tightened following Sunday nights killing. The alleged killer Kallu Khan was arrested on Monday morning following police raids in different parts of the city. The victim suffered injuries to his mouth, The Age reported.

PM to meet Advani to decide new CIC

New Delhi: PM Manmohan Singh is likely to meet Leader of Opposition L K Advani on Tuesday to discuss the appointment of a Chief Information Commissioner as incumbent Wajahat Habibullah resigned. Sources said a three-member committee of the Prime Minister,Advani and Law Minister Veerappa Moily will meet to discuss the matter. They may be joined by Minister of State for Personnel and Training Prithviraj Chavan. Habibullah is set to be the first State Information Commissioner in J-k under the states new RTI Act.

Russian paraglider goes missing

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DHARAMSHALA: Russian paraglider Alexey Ashurov 41,who had taken off from Bir near Baijnath about 80 km from here four days ago,has gone missing. The missing report was lodged by another Russian paraglider Victor on Monday. According to Senior Superintendent of Police,Kangra,teams have been sent to trace the pilot.

Editor held for defamatory article

MADURAI: The Editor of a Tamil magazine was arrested following a complaint by a close associate of Union Fertilisers Minister M K Alagiri which alleged that a defamatory article was published against him and the minister. A S Mani,Editor of Naveena Netrikan,was arrested and remanded to judicial custody by a court here on Sunday night,police said. The complainant,Suresh,had alleged that Mani had published the article against him and Alagiri.

TRS to launch channel next year

HYDERABAD: The TRS will launch its television channel next year to promote the Telangana cause and showcase the regions culture and traditions. The decision was taken after the Centre recently permitted parties to have their television channels. Kavita Rao,daughter of TRS President K Chandrasekhara Rao,is likely to head the channel.

Probe ordered into eye surgery camp

HYDERABAD: Health Minister Danam Nagender ordered an inquiry after four persons lost their eyesight after undergoing a cataract surgery at a free camp in Nellore on October 20. Thirty-four people underwent the surgery at Bollineni Eye Hospital but seven returned the next day complaining of pain. Doctors found their eyes infected and had to remove the eyeballs. Seven other patients with similar complications have been shifted to a hospital in Chennai.