Latest news, updated at 5:45 pm Rahul launches Cong's poll campaign in UP...more Trade talks begin; Pak asks India to have “trust and faith”...more SBI asks Kingfisher to raise fresh equity...more  Omar meets PM over AFSPA issue...more  Jessica case: HC reserves order on Manu Sharma's parole plea...more

Omar lobbies for removal of AFSPA
Meets Defence Minister Antony in Delhi; likely to call on PM today
New Delhi, November 13
A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the process of objectively reviewing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir had not been completed, Defence Minister AK Antony and state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today discussed the issue in the National Capital.

A TV grab of J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with Defence Minister AK Antony in New Delhi on Sunday. — PTI

Opposition to govt bailout for ailing Kingfisher mounts
New Delhi/Mumbai, November 13
Although Civil Aviation Minister Vyalar Ravi today ruled out a government bailout plan for the beleaguered Kingfisher Airlines, he was evasive on the possibility of the government allowing foreign direct investment in civil aviation. Sources in civil aviation claim the government is in favour of limited FDI, which will enable foreign airlines to pick up stakes in Kingfisher and other airlines.

TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE
selection of PGI director
Objectivity missing in marking, assessment
New Delhi, November 13
The Union Ministry of Health appears to be learning still to make appointments on key posts. An investigation by The Tribune reveals that the eight-member selection panel set up to search for a Director for the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences at Chandigarh not only abdicated its responsibility to a four-member sub-panel, but also accepted its recommendation without asking any question.

Kalam frisked at NY airport; US apologises
New Delhi, November 13
Amid growing outrage in India over the frisking of former President APJ Abdul Kalam at New York’s JFK Airport, the United States sought to put a lid on the controversy by “deeply” regretting the inconvenience caused to the Indian dignitary as a result of the September 29 incident.

Advani’s yatra enters Punjab
	BJP leader LK Advani addresses a rally at Bathinda’s Hanuman Chowk on Sunday during the Punjab leg of his Jan Chetna Yatra. He is accompanied by SAD leader and MP Harsimrat Kaur. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma (Details on Punjab page)

India, Pak prepare to test military might
* War games begin almost simultaneously
* Tanks accompanied by fully equipped infantry troops, air elements to be used
New Delhi, November 13
Nuclear armed neighbours India and Pakistan are conducting almost simultaneous war games in their respective territories over the next few weeks. The two armies, which have gone to war four times - in 1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999 - since Partition, will be separated by only a couple of hundred miles as they fine-tune their skills.

Noted cricket writer Roebuck commits suicide Reports say police questioned him on allegations of sexual assault & he appeared tense Cape Town, November 13 Widely respected cricket writer Peter Roebuck, who has considerable following in India, committed suicide here after police reportedly questioned him on allegations of sexual assault.