HC clears CBI probe
NEW DELHI, Aug 7 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today cleared the way for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of biscuit tycoon Rajan Pillai in a mysterious circumstances in judicial custody in capital’s central Tihar Jail. Mr Justice D.K. Jain dismissed the revision petition of the CBI challenging the order of chief metropolitan magistrate Prem Kumar directing the CBI to inquire into the events leading to the death of the businessman. The CBI contention behind challenging the order was that a trial court has no jurisdiction to direct any such investigation.

Mid-night vigil for friendship
NEW DELHI, Aug 7 (UNI) — The Indo-Pakistan Friendship Society, headed by veteran journalist and Rajya Sabha member Kuldip Nayar, will hold a midnight vigil on the Indo-Pakistan border near Attari on the night of August 14 and 15 to promote peace and friendship between the two countries. Mr Nayar, former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, told UNI hundreds of civil liberties activists, intellectuals, journalists and film personalities will participate holding lighted candles in the annual event. Some people from across the border are also expected to join the celebrations. Film personalities including Gulzar, Farooq Sheikh and Raj Babbar would also participate in the vigil to be preceded by a cultural programme.

Strife in Congo
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 7 (PTI) — The United Nations has begun evacuating its staff from the Democratic Republic of Congo following intense fighting between rebels and government forces. United Nations spokesman Juan Carlos Brandt said 77 UN staffers, who were considered "non essential", have left the capital Kinshasa with their families. However, 20 "essential" staff members were still in the city. Brandt said the situation in the eastern part of the republic is even "more difficult."

Flood toll 280
DHAKA, Aug 7 (DPA) — Death toll in more than three weeks of heavy rains and mountain torrents climbed to 280 today as Bangladesh struggled to cope with the flooding’s aftermath. Officials in the Ministry of Disaster Management said about 20 million people were displaced by the rushing waters which engulfed over half the lush countryside and scores of towns and cities across Bangladesh. Twenty deaths were reported by officials since last Sunday mostly due to intestinal diseases. Medical teams funded by non-government charities said waterborne diseases were sweeping the makeshift flood relief camps where tens of thousands of homeless people had taken shelter.

13 Tigers killed
COLOMBO, Aug 7 (PTI) —Thirteen LTTE rebels were killed in different encounters with Lankan army yesterday, a Defence Press release said here today. Four rebels were killed in three others wounded when troops ambushed a group of 20 LTTE guerillas moving in two tractors near Kilinochichi, it said. Eight others were killed in different incidents near northern Menkulam town in Vanni region.

Samata’s memo to PM
NEW DELHI, Aug 7 (PTI) — Samata Party leaders from Bihar today requested Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to help solve the problems faced by the farmers of the state. A 115 member delegation led by its state unit president Rana Gangeshwar Prasad Singh submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and urged him to introduce crop insurance policy, permanent solution to the flood and drought problems, more irrigation and transportation facilities in the state, a party release said.

Jaswant’s visit
NEW DELHI, Aug 7 (PTI) — An External Affairs Ministry spokesman today denied reports that Prime Minister’s special emissary Jaswant Singh will shortly undertake a visit to China. "The reports are speculative. There is no such proposal,’’ the spokesman said. Mr Singh had met Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings last month with both sides expressing their desire to carry forward the process of bilateral dialogue. Mr Singh’s meeting had assumed special significance as Sino-Indian relations had touched a low ebb amid accusations and counter-accusations between Beijing and New Delhi.

AG’s appointment
BHUBANESWAR, Aug 7 (PTI) — Senior lawyer Gobinda Das was today appointed the new Advocate- General of Orissa, succeeding Indrajeet Roy who resigned after being chargesheeted in an attempted rape case. The court case against Roy and persistent refusal of Chief Minister J.B. Patnaik to sack him triggered a long drawn out political controversy during which the opposition demanded the former Advocate- General’s dismissal.

5 of family hacked
MADURAI, Aug 7 (PTI) — In a gruesome act, five members of a family were hacked to death and four others injured seriously by a gang in Veppayanai village in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu in the wee hours of today, the police said. The 12-member gang locked the victims’ house when they were fast asleep, set it ablaze and hacked those who tried to escape through the back door, the police said. Four of the deceased — P. Anthony and his three sons — were the main accused in the murder of Melapanaimarathupatti panchayat vice-president Anthony Raj a few months ago.