'Accord' reached on passing budgets
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mr. G.M. Balayogi, today took the initiative to bring some order to the chaos that has been Parliament by convening a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee and getting at least a timetable agreed upon for the passing of the all important financial business before Parliament, including the Finance Bill, instead of bulldozing the Budget through as suggested by the Government.

ISRO hopes to overcome orbit shortfall
There appears to have been some under- performance in the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launched on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) believes that it can ensure that the GSAT-1 satellite meets its design life of three years.

Cong. sticks to JPC probe
The Congress today refused to budge from its demand for a JPC probe into the Tehelka expose. The position was made clear by the Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi at her meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. G. M. Balayogi and later by Mr. Scindia at the Business Advisory Committee(BAC) meeting in the evening.

Harshad Mehta debarred permanently
The Securities and Exchange Board of India today permanently debarred big bull, Harshad Mehta from dealing in securities and ordered his prosecution in connection with the 1998 price manipulations in the scrips of BPL, Videocon and Sterlite.

Rocca, experienced foreign policy professional
The U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush's intent to nominate Ms. Christina B. Rocca as the next Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, has brought to an end speculations on who is going to succeed Mr. Karl Inderfurth.

15 killed in Bihar
At least 15 persons, including three candidates and a magistrate, were killed and over 36 injured in violence- marred third phase of panchayat elections in Bihar which witnessed a voter turnout of over 65 per cent.

India has a place at the table of global powers: Celeste
Welcoming India's peace initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to India, Mr. Richard F. Celeste, hoped that Indian and Pakistani leaders would soon engage each other at the highest political level.

Pak. hand in border clash?
Taken aback by the excessive use of force by the Bangladesh paramilitary forces, the security establishment here today engaged in a major brainstorming exercise to ascertain the motives behind the border clash with India.