PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. articles from November 2004

PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. archives from November 2004

Kerala Briefs.
November 1, 2004... Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 01 (PTI) Qatar Airways has increased the number of weekly flights operated from Doha to Kerala from 10 to 26 with effect from Monday. According to the airline, two flights will be operated everyday, expect Friday...

Former Chinese Minister attacks "Bush doctrine".
November 1, 2004... Anil K Joseph Beijing, Nov 1 (PTI) On the eve of the US Presidential poll, one of the key architects of China's foreign policy lashed out at the controversial "Bush doctrine" of pre-emptive strikes, the "catastrophic" war on Iraq and...

Ganguly ruled out of fourth and final Test.
November 1, 2004... Mumbai, Nov 1 (PTI) Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly was on Monday ruled out of the fourth and final cricket Test against Australia beginning here on Wednesday. "He is unfit and he is ruled out of the match," team manager Vikram...

Keralites celebrate state-formation day.
November 1, 2004... Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 1 (PTI) Keralites on Monday celebrated the 49th anniversay of the state-formation, with the victory of the home team in the Santosh Trophy national football title adding to the elation. The occasion is also observed...

Bush, Kerry target key states ahead of tomorrow's election.
November 1, 2004... Washington, Nov 1 (PTI) Unleashing the most aggressive voter-mobilisation drives in the history of US Presidential politics, incumbent George W Bush and his challenger John Kerry criss-crossed through the crucial battlegrounds of Florida and...

Govt asks Japanese industry to shed caution; invites investment.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Government on Monday asked Japanese trade and industry to shed caution and take a fresh look at India as an investment destination. "Despite a high number of collaborations, the average investment is still low,...

Tele-density crosses 8%; DoT seeks funds for rural telephony.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) With an addition of 2 million new telephone subscribers, both in the mobile and fixed line categories, India has achieved tele-density of eight per cent at the end of September this year. The total number of...

Two held for attack on journalist.
November 1, 2004... Kozhikode, Nov 1 (PTI) Two suspected IUML activists were arrested here in connection with the assault on a journalist, police said. The two were picked up by the police during raids conducted on Sunday following the attack on a...

AP to set up Human Rights panel.
November 1, 2004... Hyderabad, Nov 1 (PTI) The Government of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh will soon constitute a state Human Rights Commission, a long pending demand of civil liberties organisations, Chief Minister Y S Rajsekhara Reddy said on...

Stake in Galileo targets complete civilian use: China.
November 1, 2004... Anil K Joseph Beijing, Nov 1 (PTI) China on Monday asserted that its participation in the European Union's ambitious 'Galileo' satellite navigation projct was solely for civilian purpose, a senior Chinese Space official said here. ...

Arafat politically dead: Aide.
November 1, 2004... Jerusalem, Nov 1 (PTI) A close aide to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has ruled out chances of his political return even if he manages to successfully battle his ailment and come back to the territories. Despite the...

Nepal forces foil major Maoist attack in remote hill district.
November 1, 2004... Kathmandu, Nov 1 (PTI) Security forces in Nepal on Monday claimed to have foiled a major Maoist offensive in which some 800 rebels attacked a northwestern district in their first strike after a nine-day ceasefire ended last week. The...

New Chief Minister of Maharashtra sworn in.
November 1, 2004... Mumbai, Nov 1 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh was on Monday sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Western Indian state of Maharashtra at the head of a Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) coalition government for...

Govt gives river inter-linking project the peninsular focus.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) The ambitious Rs five lakh crore river inter-linking project will be continued to be pursued with a focus on the peninsular components and the concerned federal States would be fully consulted, the Indian government...

Scheme being worked out to stop recurrence of stamp scam: Govt.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) The Indian government on Monday informed the country's Supreme Court that a comprehensive scheme, including dematting of stamp papers, was being worked out in addition to amendments to the Stamp Act to prevent...

Indian Government looking at boom in radio sector.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Despite controversies, the Indian government is expecting a big boom in the radio sector, envisaging 400 private FM radio and 4,000 community radio stations across the country. At the same time, it is not...

Pak Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Nepal.
November 1, 2004... Kathmandu, Nov 1 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, on a two-day official visit to Nepal, will hold talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on bilateral issues and South Asian regional cooperation, officials said...

Ponting looking for a 3-0 verdict.
November 1, 2004... Mumbai, Nov 1 (PTI) Australia will be at full strength in the fourth cricket Test with the return of skipper Ricky Ponting who said on Monday that his team will settle for nothing less than a 3-0 verdict in the series. "We have been...

IOC clinches $3-bn deal to develop South Pars field in Iran.
November 1, 2004... Tehran, Nov 1 (PTI) In its biggest ever investment abroad, the Indian government run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has clinched a three billion dollar deal to develop a gas block in the gigantic South Pars gas field of Iran and sell LNG...

Muslims pull out of Sri Lanka peace panel.
November 1, 2004... Colombo, Nov 1 (PTI) Sri Lanka's main Muslim party on Monday pulled out the peace advisory panel set up by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and declared "all out war" against her. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said they were...

Four killed as suicide bomber strikes crowded Tel Aviv market.
November 1, 2004... Harinder Mishra Jerusalem, Nov 1 (PTI) At least four people were killed and more than 30 wounded when a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded market in central Tel Aviv on Monday, police and rescue officials said. "A...

Funeral held for Nawaz Sharif's father in his absence.
November 1, 2004... Islamabad, Nov 1 (PTI) The funeral of Mian Mohammad Sharif, the father of deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was held in his hometown Raiwind near Lahore on Monday in the absence of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader,...

Martial law declared in central China after communal violence.
November 1, 2004... Beijing, Nov 1 (PTI) Authorities in central China's Hunan province have declared martial law on a town after communal violence broke out between members of the Han ethnic majority and Hui Muslims, apparently resulting in the death of several...

VSNL acquires Tyco cable network for $130 million.
November 1, 2004... Mumbai, Nov 1 (PTI) Telecom company Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) owned by the Tata's, an influential business family in India, has signed an agreement to acquire Tyco Global Network, an operator of submarine cable system, for 130 million...

Eleven arrested for attempt on Omar's life, Beig killing.
November 1, 2004... Srinagar, Nov 1 (PTI) Five militants belonging to the militant oufit Hizbul Mujaheedin were among eleven people arrested in connection with the attempt on the life of National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq and...

Indian government will consider review of AFSFA.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) The Indian government will consider a review of the controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSFA), against which an agitation is on in North-Eastern state of Manipur, and replace it with a more "humane" law. ...

Iraq turmoil has slowed reconstruction: report.
November 1, 2004... Washington, Nov 1 (PTI) The turmoil in Iraq and corruption have apparently hampered reconstruction projects in the war-ravaged country with the US authorities spending only a small portion of the money allocated by the Congress, according to an...

IAF seeks fgn investment in aeronautical engineering sector.
November 1, 2004... Kanpur, Nov 1 (PTI) The Indian Air Force on Monday strongly favoured Foreign Direct Investment from "friendly countries" in sectors like aeronautical engineering. "It is possible that some private sector like original equipment...

"We are not in a race with Pakistan": outgoing Air Chief.
November 1, 2004... Kanpur, Nov 1 (PTI) The Indian Air Force on Monday asserted that it was not in an arms race with Pakistan and said Islamabad's proposed acquisition of frontline F-16 fighter jets from the US does not trouble it. "If the US supplies F-16s...

Bullet Trains to be introduced in India.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 01 (PTI) As part of Railways modernisation, India's Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is expected to announce a policy envisaging introduction of Bullet Trains with a minimum speed of 250 kms per hour. To begin with, bullet...

Bangladesh assures of addressing India's concern.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Sharing India's concerns over the problem of insurgency, Bangladesh on Monday assured that its territory would not be allowed to be used for activities prejudicial to New Delhi's interests. Dhaka's assurance came...

Senate approves bill allowing Musharraf to go on as Army Chief.
November 1, 2004... K J M Varma Islamabad, Nov 1 (PTI) Pakistan's Parliament on Monday approved a bill allowing President Pervez Musharraf to continue as army chief, obviating his commitment to quit the uniform at the end of this year. As the Law...

Kashmir issue could be resolved through "substantive" dialogue.
November 1, 2004... Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Nov 1 (PTI) Maintaining that the Kashmir problem with India could be resolved through "sincere and substantive" dialogue, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said normalisation of relations between the...

Senior Russian Air Force Commander shot dead.
November 1, 2004... MOSCOW, Nov 1 (PTI) Deputy Chief of Russian Air Force's Strategic Command has been shot in west Russia, local media reported Monday. Deputy Commander of the 37th Strategic Air Army of the Supreme Command, Maj. General Konstantin Dementyev...

Seven killed, 42 injured in central China communal violence.
November 1, 2004... Beijing, Nov 1 (PTI) At least seven people were killed and 42 injured in the worst communal violence in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province since October 27, the local government said Monday. "The unrest began on October...

Mourners turn violent, 10 cops injured.
November 1, 2004... Hyderabad, Nov 1 (PTI) Police Monday opened warning fire on the mourners of a hardline activist, who died in Sunday's firing by Gujarat police, when they turned violent and attacked the police injuring 10 of them, including five officers, in...

After Habibullah, now former RAW chief brought to woo Hurriyat.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) In an attempt to resume stalled dialogue with separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, India's federal government has mobilised the services of former Research and Analysis Wing chief A S Dulat. Dulat held a series...

India, Japan to support each other for permanent UNSC seat.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) India and Japan would support each other's candidature for permanent membership of the U N Security Council. The view was expressed during the meeting India's Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha)...

Sunil Bharti Mittal is E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year.
November 1, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) India's telecom major Bharti Group's Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal was Monday night adjudged the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Mittal received the prestigious award from E&Y's Global Entrepreneur for 2003...

Kashmir solution should not humiliate India, Pak: Musharraf.
November 1, 2004... From K.J.M.Varma Islamabad, Nov 1 (PTI) Claiming that there is "light at the end of the tunnel," President Pervez Musharraf Monday night said a solution to the Kashmir problem has to be found which does not humiliate India and Pakistan and...

Pollsters predict tight race in US Presidential polls.
November 2, 2004... Washington, Nov 2 (PTI) As the United States gears up to elect its new President, pollsters have predicted that it would be such a tight race that nobody could predict the outcome accurately. The situation has lent itself to wild...

Armitage to tour South Asia and Middle East.
November 2, 2004... Washington, Nov 2 (PTI} US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage will leave for a tour of South Asia and the Middle East this week to discuss a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations with various countries in the regions,...

Homeland Security Dept adopts face recognition standards.
November 2, 2004... By Seema Hakhu Kachru Houston, Nov 2 (PTI) The US Department of Homeland Security has adopted the first biometric facial recognition standard that will be used for checking passports and other travel documents. The standard, designed...

Checks on nuke energy should not impede its peaceful use:India.
November 2, 2004... By Dharam Shourie United Nations, Nov 2 (PTI) India has said efforts to check proliferation should not impose "undue" restrictions on the development and utilisation of nuclear energy and pledged to shoulder the obligation flowing from it....

Chinese products tops anti-dumping investigations.
November 2, 2004... Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) China tops the list of countries subject to anti-dumping investigations and final measures during the first half of 2004, the World Trade Organisation has said. According to statistics released by WTO, 18 WTO members...

China set to reap bumper harvest after five years.
November 2, 2004... Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) China, the world's most populous nation, is reported to have reaped a bumper harvest this year, ending five years of decline in grain output, the state media reported today. "China's 900 million farmers are welcoming a...

Asteroid named after noted Chinese mathematician.
November 2, 2004... Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) The International Astronomical Union has named asteroid No. 1998CS2 after noted Chinese mathematician, Chen Xingshen for his outstanding contributions, a report said today. The decision, which was announced by IAU's Lesser...

UAE names first woman minister.
November 2, 2004... Dubai, Nov 2 (PTI) The United Arab Emirates Tuesday named Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the initiator of Information Technology revolution in Dubai as economy and planning minister, the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the Gulf State....

Prosecution begins final arguments in Air India case.
November 2, 2004... Vancouver, Nov 2 (PTI) The two main accused in the Air India trial are "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Canadian prosecutors said as they opened final arguments in the case. The guilt of Vancouver millionaire Ripudaman Singh Bagri and...

Smoking Affects 'Feel Good' Brain Chemical System.
November 2, 2004... By Seema Hakhu Kachru Houston, Nov 2 (PTI) Ask any smoker, why he smokes and pat comes the reply - to satisfy the craving, calm nerves and relax. It may sound funny to nonsmokers, but a team of scientists from University of Michigan...

UN official pessimistic about restoration of democracy.
November 2, 2004... United Nations, Nov 2 (PTI) The United Nations official for human rights in Myanmar has expressed doubts over restoration of democracy there, saying he saw no signs that leaders there were interested in political reform. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro...

Kerala Briefs.
November 2, 2004... Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (PTI) A 39-year-old undertrial prisoner allegedly attempted suicide in a city court here by slashing himself with a sharp instrument he had hidden in his clothes. The undertrial, Bahuleyan, was arrested recently by...

Blast near Secretariat in Quetta.
November 2, 2004... Islamabad, Nov 2 (PTI) A car bomb exploded near the office of the Provincial Chief Minister in the southwestern Pakistan city of Quetta Tuesday, but there were no reports of any casualty. The blast which took place at 10.15 AM local time...

Gene found to defend against environmental pollutants.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Scientists have identified a "master gene" in mice that controls the action of 50 other genes whose products protect the lungs against environmental pollutants. A US team led by an Indian scientist believes its...

China slams America's "irrational" foreign policies.
November 2, 2004... Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) China has fired yet another salvo at the United States, criticising the Bush administration's "outdated" and "irrational" foreign policies and urged Washington to undertake a profound self-examination to win the hearts and...

US voters to decide fate of Bush and Kerry today.
November 2, 2004... New York, Nov 2 (PTI) Millions of Americans are expected to vote Tuesday in one of the closest presidential elections in decades and the first one since the deadly September 11 terror strikes four years ago and the war in Iraq. The war on...

IAEA should not be utilised for political ends: India.
November 2, 2004... By Dharam Shourie United Nations, Nov 2 (PTI) India has warned against the use of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for "political ends" and said that effective measures should be evolved to check nuclear proliferation without...

UN asks Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities.
November 2, 2004... United Nations, Nov 2 (PTI) The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has asked Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities "as a confidence building measure" and called on North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme. IAEA...

'Impact of social issues not reported by major corporations'.
November 2, 2004... New York, Nov 2 (PTI) Most of the top-ranking corporations in the world fail to inform investors about the impact of environmental and social issues on their business opportunity, a new United Nations survey has said. The survey points out...

Growing stress triggers health problems in Chinese cities.
November 2, 2004... Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) Urban men in Shenzhen and Shanghai, the boom cities in southern China, suffer from health problems due to increasing work pressure and unhealthy lifestyles, a survey has found. Three "men's diseases" are prevalent in...

MiG-21 crashes near Bikaner; pilot ejects to safety.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) A MiG 21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Nal airbase in the north Indian city of Bikaner in Rajasthan, Monday night following engine failure, but the pilot Flying Officer S Mitra ejected...

Pvt airlines may be allowed to fly beyond SAARC countries.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) After having allowed private Indian airlines to fly to South Asian Association for Region Cooperation (SAARC) countries, the Indian government is likely to take a decision to permit them to launch operations to other...

HC notices against Advani, Thackeray in Babri demolition case.
November 2, 2004... Lucknow, Nov 2 (PTI) The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Tuesday issued notices to BJP leader L K Advani, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and 18 others on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) petition challenging the 2001 order of...

LeT divisional commander killed.
November 2, 2004... Srinagar, Nov 2 (PTI) A self-styled divisional commander of Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba outfit was killed and his local associate arrested in an encounter in Badgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, a Border Security Force spokesman said...

Noida to set up arts academy in Harivash R Bachchan's memory.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Noida Development Authority proposes to set up a Rs 400 million academy of arts in the memory of late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan with a view to developing Noida as a cultural and literary centre. "We are working on...

J-K govt to release 55 detenues on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.
November 2, 2004... Srinagar, Nov 2 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Tuesday said his coalition government will release 55 detenues on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr. "We will pass the orders for release of 55 detenues today and they will...

Kalam brings ray of hope in blind boy's life.
November 2, 2004... Ahmedabad, Nov 2 (PTI) The Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House) will bear the expenses of the medical treatment of a four-year-old boy from Bhavnagar, whose vision was completely damaged when he was attacked by an unidentified person a month...

India to rely on spin trick to trip Australia.
November 2, 2004... S S Ramaswamy Mumbai, Nov 2 (PTI) A beleaguered India are planning to trap Australia with a three-strong spin web and salvage some pride through a consolation victory in the fourth and final Test commencing at the Wankhede Stadium here...

India warns expats against travelling to Iraq.
November 2, 2004... Dubai, Nov 2 (PTI) India has warned its citizens and the expatriates against travelling to Iraq, pointing out that a travel ban announced in August was still in force. "It is notified to all concerned that the Government of India's ban on...

Thermax, Forbes Marshall keen to start China operations.
November 2, 2004... Beijing, Nov 2 (PTI) Indian engineering firms Thermax Ltd and Forbes Marshall have expressed their keenness to start operations in China. "Thermax Limited is keen to start operations in China and has recently opened a representative office in...

Govt approves Rs 7.17 bn power schemes for Kerala.
November 2, 2004... Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (PTI) Central government has accorded in principle approval for seven power schemes at a total estimated cost of Rs 7.17 billion for improving power generation and transmission in Kerala, State Electricity Minister...

Higher fertiliser subsidy burden due to gas pricing stalemate.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Indian Government has to shell out an additional Rs 27 billion due to the deadlock between fertiliser industry and gas suppliers for sale of feedstock over the issue of pricing. "We had directed the fertiliser units...

Sayeed welcomes Musharraf's Kashmir proposal.
November 2, 2004... Srinagar, Nov 2 (PTI) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's new proposal for resolution of Kashmir issue is a welcome change from Islamabad's earlier stand, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Tuesday said. "We welcome this...

Sonia to hand over awards to Pak students.
November 2, 2004... Kolkata, Nov 2 (PTI) Three students from Pakistan's Karachi High School would be felicitated for academic excellence and "meaningful contribution" towards creation of friendlier Indo-Pak ties at a function here to be attended by Congress...

Stay on warrant against actor Sunny Deol extended.
November 2, 2004... Mumbai, Nov 2 (PTI) A lower court has extended till November 20 its stay on a warrant issued against filmstar Sunny Deol for alleged bouncing of cheques that he had given to a city-based company for purchases made by him in 2002. The...

Wickets don't make us comfortable or uncomfortable: Dravid.
November 2, 2004... Mumbai, Nov 2 (PTI) India's Stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid Tuesday rubbished the suggestion that Indians got psyched down by the grassy Nagpur track even before a ball was bowled, saying wickets hold no fears for his team. In an apparent...

Patil to visit J&K to "understand" ground situation.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Ahead of the maiden visit of India's Home Minister Shivraj Patil to Jammu and Kashmir to "understand" the ground situation, Government Tuesday made it clear that it was not averse to talking to any group in Kashmir. ...

India needs big investments in civil aviation: govt panel.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) India must make "substantial" investments in expeditious upgradation of its civil aviation infrastructue in order to face major competition from China, Japan, south-east and west Asian nations, a high-power government...

Cong offers VRS to its regular employees.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) In probably the first case of its kind in a political party in India, the Congress has offerred Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to all its regular employees at its headquarters here in a bid to cut down staff and...

PM Singh to visit Kashmir in mid-November.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be visiting Jammu and Kashmir in the middle of this month to review the situation in the state and also announce a package to the tune of Rs 30 billion. Official sources...

Ganguly advised rest, swimming and medicine.
November 2, 2004... Kolkata, Nov 2 (PTI) Indian cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly has been advised medication, rest and swimming for his upper right thigh strain by a city orthopaedic, who said that a decision on the player's availability for the November 13 one...

Govt planning to increase women's involvement in healthcare.
November 2, 2004... New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Indian government is considering a plan to increase the involvement of women in improving rural healthcare through the ongoing Anganwadi programme and double the doctors in all Primary Healthcare Centres in the country....

KUWJ, KNEU condemn attack, take out protest march.
November 2, 2004... Kozhikode, Nov 2 (PTI) Hundreds of journalists and non-journalists, affiliated to the Kerala Union of Working Journalists and Kerala Newspaper Employees Union, Tuesday took out a protest march, condemning the Wednesday's attack on mediapersons...

League, LDF workers clash.
November 2, 2004... Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (PTI) Muslim League and LDF workers clashed before the secretariat here where opposition leaders were holding a day-long sit-in Tuesday to protest Wednesday's attack on mediapersons at the Karipur airport. The...