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Attention NRI's from Haryana State

Latest news, updated at 11:30 am  Amritsar freezes at -0.2 celsius  Ex K'taka CM Bangarappa dies

Differences grow sharper in Pak
Zardari, Gilani advise army to stay ‘within limits’
Islamabad December 25
On a dramatic Sunday, the simmering tension between the government and the all-powerful army acquired a sharper edge with President Asif Ali Zardari calling upon the people to ensure that change does not take place through “force and intimidation”. Prime Minister Gilani did his bit by asserting that the army should remain within ‘Constitutional limits’ and the Information Minister resigned during a televised cabinet meeting before she was persuaded to withdraw it.

If SAD wins again, I will be CM for five years: Badal
Chandigarh, December 25
A confident Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal today sought to dispel popular misgivings that while he would lead the SAD-BJP alliance in the election, he would give way to his political heir and son Sukhbir Badal and instal him as the chief minister at the first opportunity.

See interview on Punjab page

Celebrating Christmas

Girls light candles at a church in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Team Anna writes to PM
‘Merge CBI’s probe wing with Lokpal’
Mumbai, December 25
In an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India Against Corruption (IAC) which is backing Anna Hazare, protested the shape of the proposed Lokpal law and hoped that the parliamentary debate would give the ombudsman more teeth. "While we are on record with our displeasure over the current draft of the bill, we are also keen that the best possible law should now emerge from the debate in the people's Houses," (IAC) said.

22 killed in Chennai boat tragedy
Chennai, December 25
At least 22 persons died today after the boat in which they went on a pleasure trip capsized in Pulicat Lake, about 60 km from here. The boat capsized after being caught in the waves in the lake, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said.

North India shivers on Christmas
Countrywide death toll this winter reaches 131
New Delhi, December 25
Bone-chilling cold intensified across North India today allowing no respite to people soaked in the yuletide spirit even as the extreme weather claimed three more lives, taking the countrywide death toll this winter to 131.

PM, BJP leaders greet Vajpayee as he turns 88
New Delhi, December 25
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior BJP leaders and other well-wishers greeted former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who turned 88 today. "The Prime Minister visited Vajpayee at his home and wished him," an official of the Prime Minister's Office said.