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CBI launches nation-wide raids

       New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today conducted raids at the residences of several governmental officials all over the country as part of its anti- corruption drive. The raids were simultaneously carried out in major cities at places of senior officials, including some working in central ministries, as a part of CBI's nationwide drive to check corruption among government officials, a CBI spokesperson said.

Let PM post be under Lokpal's purview: Manmohan

        Dehradun: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today supported the idea of bringing the post of the country's prime minister under the purview of the Lokpal. He also indicated that the Bill to investigate corruption charges against lawmakers and ministers would be introduced in parliament without delay. "To enact the Lokpal Bill, which over the past three decades has been introduced from time to time in Parliament, I believe eight times, but unfortunately could not enter our statute books. I have no hesitation in saying and even confessing that in the absence of an institution such as the Lokpal at the Centre is to some extent negatively affecting the working of the Lokayukta institutions at the state level. The need for the Lok Pal is therefore much more urgent at present than ever before and we shall have effective action in this regard without any further loss of time," Singh told the valedictory function of the Eighth All India Conference of Lokayuktas here today. Earlier, President APJ Abdul Kalam had also favoured the introduction of the Bill, besides advocating for bringing the posts of the President and the PM under its purview. All political parties have opposed the move to bring the legislation, which brings even the office of the President under the purview of the Bill, saying it is not necessary. The Bill was placed in parliament in 2001 for the fourth time but was referred to the Standing Committee which in turn directed it back for approval. Hindu nationalist National Democratic Alliance government had last year recommended the exclusion of the Prime Minister from the Lok Pal's ambit.

Cong leader, bodyguard shot dead by Kashmiri militants (Go To Top)

        Srinagar: A district general secretary of the ruling Congress Mohammad Youssuf and his security guard, Mohammad Ashraf, were shot dead by militants in Anantnag today. Youssuf and Ashraf were killed while shopping in the Rishi Bazar area. Abdul Aziz, a deaf and dumb old man, who witnessed the attack, also died after suffering a heart attack. No group has so far taken responsibility for the attack.

US to fingerprint all visitors from Sept 30 (Go To Top)

       New York: From Thursday, visitors from all over the world will be fingerprinted and photographed at 115 airports and 14 seaports of the United States. According to the Daily Times, this profiling procedure is being activated under the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US VISIT), which has been extended to 27 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries. However, according to the US Department of Homeland Security, Canadians and Mexicans will not come under the US VISIT's purview. Only Canadian citizens of Pakistani origin will be scrutinized. The paper quoted Jim Williams, the director of the program, as saying that the US VISIT procedures would not only ensure security for US citizens and visitors, but also facilitate legitimate travel and trade across US borders. Williams said that fingerprinting and photographing individuals is generally applicable to all visitors, including women from September 30.

Musharraf calls on Italian PM Berlusconi (Go To Top)

       Rome: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met here with Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf, said sources today. Both the leaders signed agreements over promotion of trade, tourism and cooperation to contain terrorism, according to reports. The spotlight of the discussion during the meeting remained focused regional and international issues. Earlier, the president held a meeting with Italian president also discussed effective agenda about development of bilateral relations, elimination of terrorism, composite dialogues between India and Pakistan, trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Italy. In a press conference followed by the meetings, Musharraf said there was a serious need of efforts to eradicate terrorism and bridge a gap between the West and Muslim world.

Ranbir Singh Mahendra elected BCCI president (Go To Top)

        Kolkata: Ranbir Singh Mahendra has been elected the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar lost to Ranbir Singh Mahendra after outgoing president Jagmohan Dalmiya cast the deciding vote in the elections, which were held after a seven- hour delay. Mahendra who is the Haryana Congress general secretary, is also a current vice-president of the Cricket Board. He is former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal's son and had the support of Jagmohan Dalmiya. Many believe it's because Dalmiya wants to retain control of a body of which he has already been named Patron-in-Chief. Earlier in the day, there was confusion and hectic political activity with reports that Sharad Pawar was ready to pull out if there was a consensus candidate. The repeated delays in holding the elections since this morning prompted Pawar to quip that his rivals just don't have the numbers. "I could not understand why the meeting is adjourned again and again and the process of election is delayed. This clearly indicates that those worried about the numbers are trying to postpone the elections," Pawar said.

Two women weightlifters banned for life on doping charges (Go To Top)

        New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today imposed life ban on two national-level weightlifters - Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu - who were thrown out of the Athens Olympics on doping charges. "We have decided to impose a life ban on Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu since this episode has brought disrepute to the country," IOA president Suresh Kalmadi told reporters. Announcing that the Association had completed an investigation into the doping charges, Kalmadi said: "We are taking many steps to clean up the mess and this deterrent action has been taken to prevent such things from happening in future." Kumari tested positive for anabolic steroids before the start of last month's Games while Chanu, who came fourth in the 53 kg category, tested positive for the banned diuretic furosemide. In another important decision, the IOA also banned national coach Pal Singh Sandhu and Belarussian Leonid Taranenko from coaching in the country. K.P Singh Deo, member of the committee probing the controversy, said the doping was basically committed for money. "We are convinced that there is a conspiracy...doping controversy...because there is money. Nobody is doing it out philanthropy or love for India. They are doing it for money. If you are gullible enough, you fall for the trap. If you test positive, you are harmed. Nothing happens to those who are part of the entire game," said Deo.

Pakistan crashes India by 2-3 goals (Go To Top)

        Peshawar: Pakistan defeated India by 3 against 2 goals in the third hockey match of Indo-Pak series at Lala Ayub Stadium, Peshawar, here today. The first two goals scored by Mudassar Ali and Shakeel Abbbas in the first half of the match while India scored both the goals in the second half making the match equal to 2-2. Despite of a quality game-play by India in the second half Pakistan took full advantage of a penalty corner some minutes before the game ended leading a tremendous victory by 3 against 2 goals.

WB report says India managed to reduce poverty (Go To Top)

         Washington: Despite facing various difficulties, India has been able to grow fast and reduce poverty in the financial year 2004, a World Bank report has said. "Poverty was reduced through reforms in India though there is still much to be accomplished," Francois Bourgiognon, Senior Vice-President and chief economist of the World Bank said. Warrick Smith, lead author of World Development Report 2005, said that though countries like India, China and Uganda had many roadblocks; they overcame these problems and increased their rate of growth. According to the report everything does not have to be done at once. Significant progress can be made by addressing important constraints that face firms and by sustaining a process of ongoing improvements.