Tuesday, February 8, 2011, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 2:30 am (IST)

New Spectrum scam hits UPA ahead of Budget session
* ISRO admits deal is under review, CAG claims audit far from final
* Oppn targets govt, wants thorough probe and explanation from PM
New Delhi/Bangalore, February 7
A reported deal between the Indian Space Research Organisation and a private firm for allocation of a S-band Spectrum — that a media report claims could cost the exchequer a whopping Rs 2 lakh crore — has provided further grist to the Opposition mill.

S-band Spectrum is a money-spinner
Govt, Oppn under pressure ahead of  all-party meet

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee during a meeting with political leaders in a bid to break the Parliament logjam over 2G Spectrum scam, in New Delhi on Monday. — PTI

Musharraf named accused in Benazir murder
Investigators have added the name of former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf to the list of accused in the Benazir Bhutto murder case. Federal Investigation Agency prosecutor Zulfiqar told a court in Rawalpindi on Monday that Musharraf's name has been included on the basis of statements by two senior police officials, who have been detained during the investigations.

Ban on plastic packaging of tobacco products
New Delhi, February 7
While issuing new plastic management and handling rules, the Environment Ministry today completely banned the use of plastic for packaging ‘gutkha’ and other tobacco products and also provided for the first time a special dispensation for waste pickers.

paternity suit
Delhi HC denies relief to Tiwari
New Delhi, February 7
A Delhi High Court Division Bench today rejected Uttarakhand former Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari’s plea for stopping the DNA test proceedings, which start tomorrow, for ascertaining the claim of a man in a paternity suit.

Krishna: Foundation laid for sustained talks with Pak
Thimphu, February 7
India and Pakistan appear set to resume their stalled dialogue after a near-freeze of several months with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna announcing today that “a solid foundation” has been laid for a “sustained engagement”.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao shakes hands with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir during the meeting in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Sunday. — PTI

Assange fights extradition to Sweden
London, February 7
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asked a British judge today to block his extradition to Sweden on sex crime allegations, arguing he would not get a fair trial and could end up facing execution in the United States.

WikiLeaks is about to be leaked WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrives at Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday. — AP/PTI

Pak: NIA team can’t quiz 26/11 masterminds
New Delhi, February 7
In yet another attempt to delay the probe into the Mumbai attacks, Islamabad has refused permission to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to visit the neighbouring country to interrogate the plotters of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE Search panel ready; race for PGI top post begins 24 applicants in the fray; twelve from PGI, Chandigarh; five from AIIMS New Delhi, February 7 The process for the appointment of the 11th director of the premier Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has begun with the Centre constituting a special selection committee to find a suitable candidate.