Federal agency to tackle terror gets cabinet nod
New Delhi, December 15
Finally, after much deliberations and despite objections from several states, including Punjab, the union cabinet tonight gave its approval for the formation of a national investigating agency to handle the cases of terrorism, organised crimes with inter-state and foreign linkages.

President Bush ducks shoes in Baghdad
Baghdad, December 15
It gives fresh meaning to the phrase shooed away. President George W. Bush ducked a pair of shoes hurled at his head — one shoe after the other — in the middle of a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

In this series of images made from APTN video, Muntadar al-Zaidi, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadiya television, is seen throwing a shoe at US President George W. Bush, during a news conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad on Sunday. Zaidi threw two shoes at Bush, one after another. In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of contempt. — AP/PTI

Shoe-throwing sign of free society: Bush
World page: Iraqis rally behind Zaidi

Home loans get cheaper
Mumbai, December 15
To boost sagging home sales and provide relief to beleaguered small industries, public sector banks (PSBs) today announced a package comprising interest rate cuts and relaxed repayment norms designed to make borrowing attractive for these segments.

Business page:
Rate cuts inadequate, says India Inc
ATF cheaper by 11%

Bring ISI under civilian control, Kerry tells Pak
New Delhi, December 15
Another important US leader today came calling on the Indian leadership in the wake of the terror attack on Mumbai and asked Pakistan in the strongest terms to deal sternly with militant groups operating on its soil and ensure that its notorious spy agency ISI was brought under the civilian control.

External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee shakes hands with US Senator John Kerry during a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. — PTI photo

Editorial: Is Pakistan serious?

Now, free education right of every child New Delhi, December 15 There’s some good news for children, especially those belonging to the weaker sections. They can now hope to realise their education dreams, courtesy a Bill, which promises radical changes in the primary education system of the country and seeks to make free and compulsory elementary education right of every child. Punjab page: Sarv Sikhya Abhiyaan to conduct Class V exam