Tuesday, October 30, 2007, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Balle Balle: Bulls take Sensex to 20K, make Mukesh Ambani richest
Mumbai, October 29
Sensex breached the 20,000 mark today amidst expectations that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will ease interest rates thereby injecting more liquidity into the economy. Ahead of the RBI’s mid-term credit policy tomorrow, shares of all major banks surged, propelling the index past the psychological mark before it slipped lower.

Expert panel to look into land reforms
New Delhi, October 29
The government today decided to constitute a committee of experts to look into the ongoing agitation by landless villagers and tribals on the issue of land reforms. The decision was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and rural development minister Raghuvansh Prasad in the backdrop of a massive rally of over 25,000 persons from 18 states that reached the Capital on Sunday, demanding rights to land and livelihood.

Kissinger urges Advani to support N-deal
New Delhi, October 29
Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger today met Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani during which issues related to the civil nuclear deal and other aspects of bilateral relations were discussed. During the meeting, Kissinger is believed to have impressed upon Advani the need for allowing the deal to go through.

No threat to UPA over nuke deal: Karat
Chennai, October 29
CPM general secretary Praksh Karat today ruled out mid-term polls or threat to the ruling UPA at the Centre over the Left’s stand over the Indo-US nuclear deal. Karat, who met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, at his residence here this evening, briefed him about the present situation and later told reporters, “There is no threat to the government”.

Ronen chickens out, says sorry
New Delhi, October 29
Indian ambassador to the US Ronen Sen today appeared before the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee and apologised for his “headless chickens” remark about critics of the Indo-US nuclear deal. With his appearance before the panel, history of sorts was created as this is the first time when a top diplomat appeared before the privileges panel.

Rain claims 30 lives in TN
Chennai, October 29
Cyclonic weather in the state took the death toll to 30 as it damaged property, roads and crops worth thousands of crores of rupees. 

Centre taking steps for early release of 4 Indians: Vayalar
Chennai, October 29
The Union Government was taking all steps to secure the safe release of four Indians, including three from Tamil Nadu, who were abducted for ransom by gunmen in Nigeria, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said today.

Asia’s highest polling station no problem but lower areas are
Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti), October 29
Asia’s highest polling station at Hikkem village, located on a globular plateau virtually above clouds, has a communication link to the outside world, but 25 polling stations located at much lower altitudes in this snowbound district pose a Himalayan challenge to the authorities to conduct elections here as no communication system works there.