Wednesday, August 2, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

6 schoolchildren die as bus falls into canal

Bali Kutubpur (Sonepat), August 1 Six schoolchildren were killed and two injured seriously when a school bus plunged into Old Western Jamuna Canal here this morning. As many as 21 children survived the mishap.

The ill-fated school bus, which fell into a canal, is lifted by a crane in Sonepat on Tuesday. Six schoolchildren were killed in the accident. — PTI photo

Jaswant fails to name mole in RS
New Delhi, August 1
Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Jaswant Singh’s failure to reveal the identity of an alleged US ‘mole’ in the PMO during the tenure of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao has not only disappointed the BJP, but has also provided lethal ammunition to the ruling UPA alliance.

Editorial: A Call to Honour?

Army removes gender disparity
New Delhi, August 1
The government today issued orders bringing on a par the terms and conditions for men and women officers opting for entry to the Army through the Short Service Commission in the wake of the recent uproar over complaints of discrimination against the fair sex.

MSP issue: SAD MPs force LS adjournment

New Delhi, August 1 Members of Parliament of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Punjab, supported by other Opposition members, today forced the adjournment of the Lok Sabha for a day rejecting a meagre hike of Rs 10 in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy and cotton by the government.

Members of Parliament from Punjab walk out of Parliament to talk to mediapersons on farmer's issues on Tuesday. — PTI photo Punjab page: Big companies out to grab prime land in state: Kanwaljit

Reliance, Punjab ink MoU on agri project
Chandigarh, August 1
The much-debated agricultural produce marketing and processing project of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Retail Ltd got off the ground today. The company and the Punjab Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a simple ceremony here.

Cong MLA awarded three-year sentence
Amritsar, August 1
The ruling Congress today suffered a big jolt when a local court awarded three years sentence to Mr Sawinder Singh Kathunangal, a Majitha MLA and Chairman Punjab Food Agro Corporation and five others each, in an old land case, here. (Details on Punjab page)

Govt bans kids as domestic help
New Delhi, August 1 
The Centre today banned the employment of children as domestic servants or in dhabas and in other recreational centres, and warned that violators would face penal action. “The ban has been imposed under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and will be effective from October 10, 2006,” the Labour Ministry said today. (Details in Nation page)

FBI has images of terror camp in Pak
Washington, August 1
Pakistan’s claims that it does not have terrorist training camps in its territory has been strongly contested by the FBI which has told a US court that satellite pictures pointed towards such a camp. (Details in World page)

Israel pounds Lebanon
Beirut, August 1
Israel thrust into southern Lebanon today and pounded towns and villages in two other areas, meeting fierce resistance from Hizbollah guerrillas who reportedly killed three soldiers. (Details in World page)

Office of Profit Bill sent to Kalam New Delhi, August 1 The controversial Office of Profit Bill, which was passed by Parliament amid resistance by the Opposition, was sent to the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today for his assent.