PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. articles from March 2005

PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. archives from March 2005

US flays human rights record of Pak, China, Nepal and B'desh.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) The human rights record of Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and China remained poor last year with wide-spread violence against minorities, police inaction, abuse of power and suppression of democracy...

NRIs demonstrate against proposed amendments to Patents Act.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) Braving the chilly weather, Non Resident Indian students, health activists, professionals and doctors rallied in front of the Indian Embassy here during the weekend protesting against the Centre's decision to amend the...

Five industrialised nations sign treaty on nuclear energy.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) Five major industrialised nations have signed an ambitious research plan aimed at developing a new generation of clean and safe nuclear energy systems. The United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada...

US hails Gnassingbe's departure, to send election team to Togo.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) The United States has welcomed the resignation of Togo's interim President Faure Gnassingbe and said it would send a team of election experts to Lome to assist and monitor fresh elections. "The United States is...

Foreign gambling firms banned from opening offices in China.
March 1, 2005... Beijing, Mar 1 (PTI) China has barred foreign gambling firms from opening offices in the country or running online gambling activities and warned that violators would be punished. The General Administration of Industry and Commerce (GAIC)...

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 1 (PTI): Noted astrologer and.
March 1, 2005... Hindi professor N.E.Muthuswamy died at a private hospital here at 3.30 PM (local time) on Monday. He was 80. Prof. Muthuswamy, who had worked as lecturer in Mar Ivanios College, Kollam S.N. College and University College, dedicated his life to...

At least 74 Maoists killed in clashes with Nepalese forces.
March 1, 2005... Kathmandu, Mar 1 (PTI) At least 74 Maoists and three security personnel were killed in one of the fiercest gunbattle between the Nepalese army and the rebels in two districts of western Nepal, authorities said today. Seventy rebels,...

Supachai Panitchpakdi appointed new head of UNCTAD.
March 1, 2005... United Nations, Mar 1 (PTI) United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has nominated the Director-General of the World Trade Organization Supachai Panitchpakdi to head the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). ...

IAEA asks Iran for 'full transparency' on nuclear actiivities.
March 1, 2005... New York, March 1 (PTI) The United Nations agency entrusted with preventing the spread of nuclear weapons has asked Iran to provide "full transparency" on all its nuclear activities, noting information on some outstanding issues is still...

Anand held to draw by Kasparov.
March 1, 2005... Linares (Spain), Mar 1 (PTI) Viswanathan Anand went for an all out kill but had to settle for a draw as his efforts were thrawted by some brilliant defensive tactics by Garry Kasparov in the sixth round of the 22nd edition of the Linares Super...

Former Swedish diplomat to head UN mission in Ctte d'Ivoire.
March 1, 2005... United Nations, Mar 1 (PTI) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has appointed a former Swedish ambassador to the UN, Pierre Schori, as his special representative in Ctte d'Ivoire. In a letter to this month's Security Council President, Annan...

China found 539 HIV positive cases in border check-up in 2004.
March 1, 2005... Beijing, Mar 1 (PTI) China detected 539 HIV positive cases from cross-border travellers and intercepted over 16,000 cases of animal and plant epidemics from imported goods in 2004, a government report said. China conducted regular...

Tsunami: Geologists own moral responsibility.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Two months after the disaster, India's geologists have owned moral responsibility for the deaths caused by the December 26 tsunami. "In the final analysis, the geological community as a whole must own responsibility...

Rains dampen spirits, Pak team forced to skip practice.
March 1, 2005... Dharamshala, Mar 1 (PTI) Rains dampened the spirit of Indian cricket lovers who were eagerly awaiting to catch a glimpse of the Pakistani team which arrived here Tuesday morning for the three-day tour opener against Board President's XI. ...

Search operation launched to locate "missing" tourists.
March 1, 2005... Srinagar, Mar 1 (PTI) Police and army have launched a search operation to locate three foreign tourists who had left for scaling Sunshine peak in the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg in northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, police said...

Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar named PETA patron.
March 1, 2005... Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 1 (PTI) Animal rights group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has named musical legend of India, Ravi Shankar, as its patron in view of his efforts to help animals. A member of PETA since the group began...

17,000 Indians return home from Malaysia during amnesty period.
March 1, 2005... Kuala lumpur, March 1 (PTI) At least 17,000 Indians are among the 400,000 alleged illegal workers who have left Malaysia for home taking advantage of the four-month-old amnesty which ended Tuesday. As the amnesty came to an, Malaysian...

Annan says gender equality essential; US raises abortion issue.
March 1, 2005... United Nations, March 1 (PTI) The UN session organised to affirm the world's commitment to the Beijing declaration opened amidst controversy with the US demanding that abortion should not be recognised as a fundamental human right and objecting...

Conference on early Christianity in India from August 13.
March 1, 2005... Chennai, Mar 1 (PTI) In a bid to document history of early Christianity in the country from St.Thomas to Vasco da Gama, the explorer, a four-day international conference is to be organised in New York from August 13. The conference titled...

J-K National Highway reopened to traffic.
March 1, 2005... Jammu, Mar 1 (PTI) After 12 days of remaining blocked due to snowstorms and avalanches, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Tuesday partially re-opened to traffic with nearly 1500 stranded vehciles being allowed to proceed to the Kashmir valley...

Indian Budget cleans up tax regime, will spur investment: PC.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram Tuesday said the budget has attempted to clean up the tax regime and aims at spurring investment and implementing the goals outlined in government's National Common Minimum Programme....

Employers to pay effectively 3-30 pc fringe tax.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Employers in India will have to shell out three to 30 per cent more as taxes on as many as 17 allowances termed as "fringe benefits" offered to workers to perk up their pay packets. As per the new 'Fringe Benefit...

Musharraf orders release of 200 Indian prisoners.
March 1, 2005... Islamabad, Mar 1 (PTI) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday ordered the release of 200 Indian civilians languishing in his country's jails. In an impromptu decision, Musharraf ordered the release of prisoners during an hour-long...

Being among own people is of utmost importance: Taslima.
March 1, 2005... Kolkata, Mar 1 (PTI) Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who is reportedly among the 199 nominees for this year's Nobel peace prize, said being among her 'own people' in India to pursue her literary activities was of foremost importance...

Three objections to Prince Charles's wedding filed.
March 1, 2005... London, Mar 1 (PTI) At least three objections have been lodged against the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, one of them by Reverend Paul Williamson, an outspoken Church of England priest. If they provide convincing...

Iran hands over proof of its talks to acquire nuke technology.
March 1, 2005... New York, Mar 1 (PTI) Iranian officials have "reluctantly" turned over fresh evidence to the UN nuclear watchdog suggesting that the Islamic Republic discussed acquiring nuclear technology from disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan's network....

BCCI warns it will take away match from Delhi.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) The Cricket Board Tuesday warned that it would shift the sixth and final one-day international between India and Pakistan out of Delhi if the Feroz Shah Kotla was not ready in time to host the tie. Delhi and District...

Vajpayee against disrupting Parliament.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) India's former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's reported reservations over disrupting Parliament on the Goa issue, expressing fears that it could set a "wrong precedent," appeared to have no no takers in the main...

Two army personnel killed in gunbattle with ultras.
March 1, 2005... Srinagar, Mar 1 (PTI) Two soldiers were killed and three injured Tuesday in the search operations launched by Indian security forces to flush out militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Matribugh village, official sources said. On the second day...

Two more priests arrested in sex CD case.
March 1, 2005... Ahmedabad, Mar 1 (PTI) Two more priests belonging to a religious sect of Swaminarayan temple were arrested from Surendranagar district in western Indian state of Gujarat in connection with sex on CD case. The Crime Branch arrested the two...

Among Ferraris and Lamborghinis, Tata unveils the 'Xover'.
March 1, 2005... Geneva, Mar 1 (PTI) In a bid to make further inroads in the global market, Tata Motors of India Tuesday unveiled the 'Xover', a 'crossover' vehicle concept, showcasing the company's commitment to innovate and gear up for newer technologies. ...

'Chandrayaan' by end of 2007: ISRO chief.
March 1, 2005... Coimbatore, Mar 1 (PTI) Indian Space Research Organisation's ambitious lunar exploration project 'Chandrayaan' is likely to be launched by the end of 2007, its chairman, G Madhavan Nair said here Tuesday. Preliminary works for the...

Agreement signed for giving protection to HIV people.
March 1, 2005... Chennai, Mar 1 (PTI) The London-based Children's Investment Fund Foundation and the Government of southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu Tuesday signed an agreement for giving "full protection and treatment" to HIV-positive people in the state....

Children of sex workers excited after film picks up Oscar.
March 1, 2005... Kolkata, Mar 1 (PTI) It was an unbelievable and exciting experience for a group of children of sex workers at the Songachi redlight area in the eastern Indian metropolis here when their work received acclaim at the prestigious Oscar award...

'Vigilance on border not affected by heavy snowfall in J-K'.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Unusually heavy snowfall in northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir may have damaged the 770-km long anti-infiltration fence along the Line of Control at some places but army officials maintained vigilance on the...

PIA passengers escape aircraft fire t Manchester airport.
March 1, 2005... London, March 1 (PTI) More than 300 passengers escaped down emergency chutes after a Pakistan International Airlines flight caught fire at Manchester Airport Tuesday. The Boeing 777 had just landed from Karachi and was taxiing on the...

Ultras engage security forces in gunbattle, 3 killed.
March 1, 2005... Srinagar, Mar 1 (PTI) Two securitymen and a militant were killed and four others including a Congress activist injured as militants engaged security forces in fierce gunbattles and set ablaze a house in northern Indian state of Jammu and...

74 Maoists, five security men killed in clashes in Nepal.
March 1, 2005... Kathmandu, March 1 (PTI) Launching a major offensive against the Maoists exactly a month after the royal takeover, Nepalese Army shot dead at least 74 rebels and injured dozens while losing five of its own men in fierce clashes in the west of...

Myanmar Naval Chief holds talks with Indian counterpart.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) The ongoing military operational and procurement cooperation figured prominently here during the talks the visiting Myanmar Naval Chief Vice Admiral Soe Thane had with his Indian counterpart here Tuesday. On a six day...

US passport application fees to be costlier from March 8.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Starting March eight this year, US passport application fees in India will be costlier by 12 dollars and a person applying for L-1 visa will have to pay an additional 500 dollar fee. These are part of new charges for...

IA, AI may hive off ground handling, MRO wings.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) With a view to make them independent profit centres and seek market abroad, the two public sector Indian carriers are planning to hive off their ground handling and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) wings by forming...

positions tighten in Bihar after assembly elections.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi/Patna, (PTI) Positions hardened in eastern Indian state of Bihar with kingmaker Ram Vilas Paswan ruling out any rapproachment with his bitter rival Lalu Prasad whose party elected Chief Minister Rabri Devi as leader of the Rastriya...

Many shops gutted in major fire in Bangalore.
March 1, 2005... Bangalore, Mar 1 (PTI) A major fire in a shopping complex in a crowded commercial area in the heart of the southern Indian city Tuesday gutted many shops but there were no immediate reports of any casualties. The fire broke out late in the...

Venezuelan President to visit Kolkata.
March 1, 2005... Kolkata, Mar 01 (PTI) The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, will arrive here in the eastern Indian city on March five on a two-day visit during which he will be accorded a reception and taken to a rural project on the outskirts of the city....

Media trade unions demand Ordinance to bar FDI in media.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Three major national media trade unions Tuesday joined hands and demanded promulgation of an Ordinance to give legal sanction to the 1955 Federal Cabinet decision prohibiting publication of foreign newspapers and journals...

Wet start to Pak tour.
March 1, 2005... Dharamsala, Mar 1 (PTI) Pakistan's first visit to India in six years was off to a wet start after inclement weather forced cancellation of their practice session and left players locked indoors in this picturesque hill resort here Tuesday. ...

Two Nepal Maoists held.
March 1, 2005... Lucknow, Mar 1 (PTI) Two Maoist guerillas from Nepal were Tuesday arrested by the Special Service Bureau near the international border in Bahraich district in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and some arms and explosives seized from them....

Jha's new film to take a look at political kidnapping.
March 1, 2005... Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI) After "Gangajal" that had initially rubbed Bihar's ruling Rastriya Janata Dal on the wrong side, noted Indian filmmaker Prakash Jha is all set to make a strong political statement with his new film 'Apaharan' exploring the...

FM may partially roll back tax on cash withdrawal, perks.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) With mounting pressure from within United Progressive Alliance and outside, India's Finance Minister P Chidambaram may partially roll back the proposed Banking Transaction tax of Rs 10 on withdrawal of Rs 10,000 cash and...

OVL bags oilfield in Egypt.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) ONGC Videsh Ltd, the foreign arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp of India, Tuesday bagged an oilfield in Egypt that may hold 600 million barrels of oil. OVL won the North Ramadam block No.6 together with IPR...

I've got the momentum to win world billiards title: Advani.
March 1, 2005... Bangalore, Mar 1 (PTI) After winning the Asian title, Indian teen sensation Pankaj Advani is rightfully fancying his chances at the World Billiards Championship slated beginning in Malta on March 13. The 19-year-old Bangalore-based cueist...

International conference on migration begins in Cape Town.
March 1, 2005... Durban, Mar 1 (PTI) A two-day conference on international migration began in Cape Town with the aim of formulating a united policy on cross-border relocation. The conference has been organised by the Global Commission on International...

Musharraf orders release of 200 Indian civilian prisoners.
March 1, 2005... Islamabad, Mar 1 (PTI) In an impromptu decision during a meeting with India's top Left leaders here, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday ordered the immediate release of 200 Indian civilian prisoners languishing in the country's jails...

India, Indonesia agree to step up bilateral cooperation.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) India and Indonesia Tuesday agreed to step up bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and decided to further consolidate their ties in trade, investment and other diversified areas. As part of these efforts, the...

Jammu-Srinagar NH reopened to traffic.
March 1, 2005... Srinagar, Mar 1 (PTI) The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in northern region of India was partially re-opened to traffic after remaining closed for 12 days last month following snowstorms and avalanches as over 200 trucks carrying essential...

HC dismisses Pakistani doctors' plea to practice in India.
March 1, 2005... Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed petitions of three Pakistani doctors, who sought permission to practice in India on the strength of degrees obtained from Sind University. A division bench headed by Justice F I...

CBI may ask Joshi to appear before it in Delhi.
March 1, 2005... Mumbai, Mar 1 (PTI) Gutka baron Jagdish Joshi was on Tuesday quizzed by premier probe agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for four hours on his alleged nexus with the underworld even as the agency indicated that he may be taken to New...

India eyeing more Yukos assets.
March 1, 2005... Moscow, Mar 1 (PTI) Apart from seeking a stake in the former Yukos core asset Yuganskneftegaz, India is eyeing other assets of the embattled Russian oil company. Moscow may dispose off more of the company's properties, including its prize...

Chinese, Pakistani Foreign Ministers talk over phone.
March 1, 2005... Beijing, Mar 1 (PTI) Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on Tuesday and discussed bilateral ties as well as preparations for the upcoming Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) to be held in...

UPA prepares report card on PM's initiative.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) India's United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government on Tuesday came out with a report listing its achievments in various sectors in the nine months it has been in power, claiming it has implemented more than 50...

Haryana CLP authorises Sonia to choose new CM.
March 1, 2005... Chandigarh, March 1 (PTI) The newly-elected Congress Members of Legislative Assembly in northern Indian state of Haryana, where the party stormed back to power in the assembly polls, on Tuesday unanimously authorised All India Congress...

Near "universal unanimity" on govt formation in UPA meeting.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) A meeting of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders on Tuesday night saw near "universal unanimity" on the formation of secular, non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments in eastern Indian states of Bihar...

Army resumes airdropping of food supplies to Anantnag, Pulwama.
March 1, 2005... Srinagar, Mar 1 (PTI) After a day's suspension, army on Tuesday resumed air dropping of food supplies and essential stores for civil administration in Anantnag and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir to provide relief to the avalanche-hit...

Federal team visits Waltingu, Qazigund.
March 1, 2005... Srinagar, Mar 1 (PTI) A federal team, currently on a tour of snow-battered northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to assess the losses suffered due to the natural calamity, on Tuesday visited Waltingu, Qazigund, Verinag and Kapran in...

Pak says logistics affecting their cricket schedule.
March 1, 2005... Dharamshala, Mar 1 (PTI) The touring Pakistan cricket team has voiced "concern" over Dharamshala as a venue for their tour opener, with team manager citing logistics at this remote town in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh as a factor...

Indo-Pak series will be a good one, says Kiran More.
March 1, 2005... Indore, Mar 1 (PTI) Chairman of selection committee and former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More on Tuesday said both India and Pakistan are good sides and would give their best in the forthcoming Test and one-day series. "Both the teams are...

Sania upsets Kuznetsova in Dubai Open; reaches quarter final.
March 1, 2005... Dubai, Mar 1 (PTI) India's Sania Mirza put up an incredible performance to oust US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia with a 6-4 6-2 win in the second round of the Dubai Open women's tennis championship here on Tuesday. ...

Pondy CM rushes to Delhi.
March 1, 2005... Pondicherry, Mar 1 (PTI) Pondicherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Tuesday rushed to Delhi to seek advice from Congress High Command after receiving petitions from Members of Legislative Assembly and ministers seeking action against All...

Govt may revisit aspects of Fringe Benefits Tax.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) The Indian government may revisit some of the aspects of the Fringe Benefits Tax but was non-commital on the Banking Cash Withdrawal Tax in the budget for 2005-06 on which critical comments have come from...

Finnish Parliamentary delegation calls on Speaker.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) A ten-member Finnish Parliamentary delegation on Tuesday called on Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian Parliament) Speaker Somnath Chatterjee in Parliament House. The delegation was led by Jyrki Katainen, Chairman of...

Indonesia seeks India's help in lowering drug prices.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Indonesia on Tuesday sought India's cooperation in lowering drug prices in that country and in improving hospital management. This was conveyed by visiting Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari when...

Thai Princess calls on Shekhawat.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on Tuesday called on India's Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and held wide-ranging discussions on matters relating to close cultural ties between the two countries. ...

Mulford congratulates students leaving for US on scholarship.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) US Ambassador David C Mulford on Tuesday met Indian students who are leaving for the US on a State Department-sponsored study programme. Mulford congratulated 14 undergraduates, the first batch of students from...

Delhi to adopt Japanese `tiles from waste' recycling method.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) Tiles and bricks from waste. This idea of waste recycling practised in Tokyo has found favour with Delhi Urban Development Minister A K Walia, just back from his six-day trip to Japan to learn lessons in waste...

US rights report points to lapses by interim Iraq govt.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) Serious rights abuses, including torture and rape, took place under the rule of the interim government in Iraq installed by the United States after the overthrow of the Saddam Hussain regime. The US State...

NDA, UPA stake claim to form govt in Jharkhand.
March 1, 2005... Ranchi, Mar 1 (PTI) The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and United Progressive Alliance on Tuesday formally staked claim to form government in eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, both citing the support of 41...

CBSE exams begin; over one million students appear.
March 1, 2005... New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI) It is exam time again. A record number of one million students all over India sat for the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) Board examinations that began on Tuesday. While 606,000 students appeared in...

Sania upsets Kuznetsova in Dubai Open; reaches quarterfinal.
March 1, 2005... Dubai, Mar 1 (PTI) India's Sania Mirza pulled off the biggest win of her fledgling career when she upset world number four and US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets 6-4 6-2 and moved into the quarterfinals of the Dubai...

Akshay Desai appointed to body governing Florida universities.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) Akshay Desai, a US-based physician of Indian origin, has been appointed to the Florida Board of Governors, the apex body that sets policy and oversees the management of state Universities. Florida Governor Jeb...

Turban issue, treatment of Sikh immigrant figure in US report.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) The controversial issue of Sikh students wearing turbans to schools in France and the alleged mistreatment of a Sikh illegal immigrant figure in the Human Rights Report released by the US Department of State. ...

US extends public comment period on proposed H-2B programme.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) The US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Tuesday extended by 30 days the public comment period for a proposed rule that would "significantly alter" the H-2B programme, under which a large proportion of the...

Indian American students among recipients of Siemens AP Awards.
March 1, 2005... Houston, Mar 1 (PTI) Four Indian-American students were among 24 selected from across the United States for the 2004-2005 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement. Kirtana Raja of St. John's School, Houston; Shrenik Shah of Monta Vista...

US Supreme Court abolishes death penalty for juveniles.
March 1, 2005... Washington, Mar 1 (PTI) The US Supreme Court on Tuesday barred executions of people who were under 18 years of age at the time of committing crimes. Upholding the Missouri Supreme Court ruling by 5-4 vote, the Court said there is now a...

World Bank approves USD 7 mn credit for Bhutan.
March 2, 2005... Washington, Mar 2 (PTI) The World Bank has approved a USD 7 million International Development Association credit to Bhutan for improving access to rural areas and increasing agricultural output for rural communities in the country. The...