Tuesday, December 14, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 2:30 am (IST)

Winter session ends with zero business, Rs 172 crore loss
2G SCAM: BJP vows to continue protests over JPC probe
New Delhi, December 13
After over a month of pandemonium, the Winter session of Parliament came to an end today. With the Opposition stalling business all through in support of their demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum scam, the two Houses failed to do any business during their 23 sittings. Only a few hurriedly tabled Bills, reports and obituary references could be transacted.

Sonia slams BJP for logjam, backs PM
New Delhi, December 13
The battlelines are clearly drawn. With the Opposition all set to continue its attack against the UPA Government on the 2G Spectrum scam through a series of public rallies, the Congress will hit back in equal measure by putting the BJP in the dock for having unnecessarily stalled Parliament. It will also turn the spotlight on the saffron party by raising questions on its record in handling of corruption issues.

Now, another top Indian envoy frisked in US
New York/New Delhi, Dec 13
One of India’s top most diplomats, Hardeep Puri, Ambassador to the United Nations, was asked to remove his turban during an airport ‘pat-down’ search in the US in yet another incident of Indian envoys being subjected to humiliating process. India has lodged a strong protest following the incident.

Central clearance to HP cement plant quashed
Shimla , December 13
In a significant decision, the Himachal Pradesh High Court today quashed the “environmental clearance” granted in July 2005 by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to Harish Cement Plant, a subsidiary of Grasim Cements India, at Sundernagar in Mandi district.

Punjab Cabinet nod to 16% bus fare hike
Chandigarh, December 13
The Punjab Cabinet has approved a hike in bus travel by 16 per cent, thereby making travel by ordinary buses more expensive by 10 paise per km. The hike for deluxe and other luxury buses will also be proportionate in terms of percentage. The hike will come into force after the government issues a notification later this week.

Ties with India fragile: China
Stapled visa issue likely to be settled during Jiabao’s visit
New Delhi, December 13
India is hopeful of resolving a row with China that erupted last year when Beijing started issuing stapled visas to Indian nationals from Jammu and Kashmir during the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi from December 15-17. (Details on Nation page)

N Korea threatens South with N-war
Seoul, December 13
North Korea warned today that US-South Korean cooperation could bring a nuclear war to the region, as the South began artillery drills amid lingering tension nearly three weeks after the North’s deadly shelling of a South Korean island. (Details on World page)

Produce complaint against Radia, apex court tells govt
New Delhi, December 13
The Supreme Court today asked the government to submit a copy of the complaint against corporate lobbyist Niira Radia which had alleged that she was “an agent of foreign intelligence agencies”. The government had ordered tapping of her telephone conversations following a complaint received by the Finance Minister.

Liz, spinner Shane Warne Spotted Together by  British tabloid Hurley confirms split with Arun Nayar London, December 13 British actress Elizabeth Hurley has confirmed that she ended her marriage with Indian businessman Arun Nayar “months ago” amid allegations that she cheated on him with Australian cricketer Shane Warne. Warne, Hurley & Nayar