New Delhi, May 6 A resolute government today managed to table the long-delayed Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha amid some high-voltage drama, including scuffles, protests and active help from women members. 12 yrs on, women’s quota Bill still limping Editorial: Born in trouble Nation page: CPM, CPI women wings hail Bill Oppn disrupts Ansari’s concluding speech

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj greets CPM MP Brinda Karat on the presentation of Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI photo

Russia, US ink civilian N-pact
Moscow, May 6
Russia and the United States today signed a long awaited civilian-nuclear cooperation pact that will allow firms from the world’s two biggest atomic powers to expand bilateral nuclear trade.

UPA, Left to continue nuke talks on May 28

EC orders probe into fake withdrawals
Chandigarh, May 6
Congress workers from Patti subdivision of Tarn Taran district today came to the office of the state Election Commission here claiming the returning officers for the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections had “allowed” withdrawal of 14 candidatures through forged signatures.
Congress leader Harminder Singh Gill (centre) with panchayat poll nominees whose papers have been declared withdrawn. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

US clarifies Bush remark on food crisis
The White House on Monday sought to cool passions in India ignited by President George W. Bush’s remarks that an increased demand for food in India had contributed to the global food crisis.

But blames India, China for oil prices
World page: EU too blames India, China for
rising food prices

UK tightens immigration rules
London, May 6
In a bid to cut overseas workers, Britain today announced tougher immigration criteria for skilled professionals from India and other non-EU countries seeking jobs here, including an annual earning of over 24,000 pounds, while barring low-skilled foreigners from entry.

Secret Submarine Base
China evades queries
Beijing, May 6
China today did not confirm or deny reports that it had secretly built a major underground nuclear submarine base but said its military build-up was not a threat to any country.

Cyclone toll rises to 22,500
Yangoon, May 6
Myanmar’s military government raised its death toll from cyclone Nargis on Tuesday to around 22,500 with a further 41,000 missing, nearly all of them from a massive storm surge that swept into the Irrawaddy delta.

IAF to carry aid to Myanmar

Van Gujjars denied entry to their traditional grasslands Dehra Dun, May 6 After Uttarakhand, it is the turn of the Himachal Pradesh government to stop Van Gujjars, nomadic tribals, from migrating to highland pastures in the state despite promulgation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (recognition of forest rights) Act on January 1, 2008. A Van Gujjar migrating from Shivalik forests to higher pastures in Himachal Pradesh with his herd and family. — Photo by Bens Lenzener