India cautions USA on arms for Pak
We are conscious, says Rumsfeld
New Delhi, December 9
The Indian leadership today told the visiting US Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld, that the American arms sales to Pakistan could impact the positive sentiment and goodwill for the USA in India. However, India did not seek a review of the US decision nor did any suo motu assurance to this effect come from Mr Rumsfeld, sources said.

US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld inspects the guard of honour in New Delhi on Thursday. — Reuters photo
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NDA to pin down govt on Laloo, Paswan
BJP to move breach of privilege notice
New Delhi, December 9
The NDA today decided to continue to press with its demand in the Lok Sabha for the Prime Minister’s statement on the spat between two Cabinet Ministers, Mr Laloo Prasad and Mr Ram Vilas Paswan.

Nation page: Houses adjourned over Laloo-Paswan spat
Editorial: Laloo-Paswan spat

Seer’s remand extended; Mutt to seek relief from SC
Chennai, December 9
The Tamil Nadu police rounded off a busy day getting the judicial remand of Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati extended for another 14 days till December 23.

Opinions page: The trial of a seer

SC seeks Judges’ consent for transfer
Chandigarh, December 9
The Supreme Court is understood to have sought the consent of four Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for posting them to other High Courts.

Custodial deaths on the rise in Punjab, says rights panel
Chandigarh, December 9
There has been a spurt in the number of custodial deaths in Punjab with 87 cases being reported to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission this year till November 30. The disposal rate by the commission seems to be poor with only 32 cases being disposed off.

A Pakistani official looks at the broken bridge that links India and Pakistan over the Line of Control at Chakothi in Occupied Kashmir. The bridge will be made operational if the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service becomes a reality. — Tribune Photo by A.J. Philip

Govt okays Chittagong matches
New Delhi, December 9
The government has advised the BCCI to go ahead with the matches in Chittagong on the basis of its security team’s report, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Navtej Sarna announced today.

“Beautiful City” sweeps awards Panaji (Goa), December 9 The curtains came down on a vibrant and happening 35th International Film Festival of India here tonight with the Iranian film “Beautiful City” (Shar-e-Ziba) winning not only the Golden Peacock and a Rs 5-lakh prize for the best film by an Asian director (Asghar Farhadi) but also a Rs 2.5-lakh special jury award for the actor Faramarz Gharibian.