Seer has confessed to murder, TN tells HC
Chennai, November 29
The prosecution in the Sankararaman murder case, in which the Kanchi Shankarachaya is the prime accused, today dropped a bombshell in the Madras High Court when it said the seer, while in police custody, confessed to his crime and that a woman was also involved in the murder.

PM moots Asian economic group

Japan says yes, visualises it as ‘Arc of Prosperity’ Vientiane (Laos), November 29 Japan has evinced keen interest in forging an “Asian Economic Community” (AEC) mooted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh having its own “Arc of Advantage” to counter the West’s categorisation of this continent as an “Arc of Instability.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Vientiane on Monday. — PTI photo by Atul Yadav In video (28k, 56k) World page: Summit for framing Asean Charter

Supreme Court notice to govt on ‘tainted’ ministers’ issue
New Delhi, November 29
The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Centre on the “tainted” ministers issue, raised in a PIL petition based on reinduction of JMM leader Shibu Soren in the Council of Ministers by the Prime Minister.

Tribune follow-up
HRD official checks mid-day meal samples
Chandigarh, November 29
Taking cognizance of a report published in The Tribune on fungus-affected soyabeans and worm-infected foodgrains being served as mid-day meals in schools of Kaithal district, the Union Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Mr Arjun Singh, directed his ministry to look into the matter.

Delhi page: Mid-day meal contracts given to ‘unfit’ firms
Punjab page: Mid-day Meal Scheme loses steam
Haryana page: Children go without mid-day meal

SC moved on IAF promotions
New Delhi, November 29
The Ministry of Defence today filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the recent judgement of the Delhi High Court quashing the promotions of four Air Marshals on the ground that some other officers were “discriminated” in the process while evaluating their appraisal reports (ARs).

Pakistan test-fires Ghaznavi
Islamabad, November 29
Pakistan today test-fired its short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile which could carry nuclear and conventional warheads up to the range of 290 km.

World page: Composite Dialogue Process resumes on Dec 23
Editorial: Trading with neighbour
Opinions: Iran closer to nuclear weapon?

Carnival-style start to Goa film festival Panjim (Goa), November 29 Goa decked up in its carnival finery to mark the inauguration of the 35th International Film Festival of India here tonight in the presence of a rich cast of film personalities. Samosa for Rs 40