Thursday, November 8, 2007, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Benazir plans ‘long march’
Will defy rally ban
Former Prime Minister and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto today warned General Musharraf that she would launch a "long march" from Lahore to Islamabad next week if he failed to rescind the emergency, restore the Constitution and announced election schedule.

"I urge Gen Musharraf to allow peaceful transition to democracy through elections in order to avoid the wrath of the people — Benazir Bhutto while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday

Employees can access their ACRs: Panel
Chandigarh, November 7
Rejecting government’s submission that an annual confidential report is sacrosanct, the Punjab State Information Commission has in a landmark verdict upheld the right of an employee to have access to his or her ACR.

No fuel hike till after Diwali
New Delhi, November 7
Apparently not to spoil the festive mood ahead of Diwali, the Congress-led UPA government has put off till at least next week a decision on raising fuel prices, despite global crude price nearing $100 a barrel.

Oil races to record high
London, November 7
Oil sped above $98 a barrel for the first time on Wednesday, closing in on the landmark $100 level, driven by a slumping U.S. dollar and worries over a winter fuel supply crunch. Analysts said it was only a matter of time before oil hit triple digits, with evidence of tightening stocks aiding a nearly 8 per cent rise over the past two weeks alone. (Details on Business page)

N-deal
BJP urges UPA for renegotiation
New Delhi, November 7
Stung by reports of confusion emanating from the BJP over the party’s stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, the party today sought to cast its response in stone and spelt out its four-point opposition to the 123 Agreement. Three top leaders of the BJP — L.K. Advani, Rajnath Singh and Jaswant Singh — today issued a statement giving the party’s final take on the nuclear deal.

Maya govt fails to get crime-control Bill cleared
Lucknow, November 7
The Mayawati government faced yet another major embarrassment when it failed to see through the controversial Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Bill in the Upper House. Passed in the Vidhan Sabha, the Bill has now been referred to a select committee.

2010 hockey World Cup to be held in Delhi
New Delhi, November 7
India has been provisionally awarded the right to stage the 2010 men’s World Cup hockey championship in Delhi. International Hockey Federation president Els van Breda Vriesman said on Wednesday India has been asked to meet certain targets by March before the world governing body gives final confirmation. (Details on Sports page)