7 BSP workers dead
BASTI (UP), Nov 26 (PTI) — Seven Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers were killed and two injured when the jeep they were travelling in dashed against a tree near Baburahwa village on the Basti-Aizabad national highway today. The BSP workers were returning from Lucknow after attending a party meeting when the accident occurred. Those injured were former BSP MLA Shambhu Sharan (Padrauna) and a prominent BSP leader Ramanand Prasad.

‘Public curfew’
IMPHAL, Nov 26 (PTI) — The 18-hour All-Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) sponsored "public curfew" in protest against the arrest of its top leaders affected life throughout the state today. Official sources said attendance in both state and central government offices was "very thin". The Manipur secretariat also wore a deserted look. Most people remained indoors in Imphal town.

TDP men killed
HYDERABAD, Nov 26 (PTI) — Four Telugu Desam Party activists were killed by rival group of the same party in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district early today. Mr Ramasubha Reddy and three more were killed at D. Kota village when his house was attacked with countrymade bombs by party rivals, the police said here. The attack was sequel to faction fight between the two groups in the 1995 panchayat elections.

Indian trawler
COLOMBO, Nov 26 (PTI) — The Sri Lankan navy has detained an Indian fishing trawler carrying medicines and surgical equipment allegedly meant for the LTTE, a senior Sri Lankan navy official said here today. "These stocks were meant to treat a large number of LTTE cadre who were injured in the recent spate of counter-attacks by the rebels on army positions in northern Vanni," Commodore Sarath Mohatty said. The vessel was intercepted on Wednesday.

S.D. Sharma
NEW DELHI, Nov 26 (PTI) — The condition of former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, admitted to a private hospital here following a cardiac problem, remained "critical" though it improved slightly today, hospital sources said. "There is minor improvement, but his condition remains critical and he is still on the respirator," the sources at the Heart Command Centre of the Escorts Heart Institute said.

Walkout in MP
BHOPAL, Nov 26 (PTI) — The entire Opposition today walked out from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly protesting against the alleged deterioration in law and order, deaths in police custody and rise in incidents of kidnapping by dacoits in Gwalior and Chambal divisions. During zero hour, Mr Narottam Singh, Mr Babulal Mewra, Mr Munshilal and others of the BJP raised the issue and demanded these be discussed in the House today itself. When the Speaker, Mr Sriniwas Tiwari, refused permission, the members marched into the well of the House and raised slogans in support of their demand.

Yeltsin ill again
MOSCOW, Nov 26 — President Boris Yeltsin returned to his country retreat outside Moscow on Thursday after contracting a viral infection and acute bronchitis, according to the Kremlin. Officials insisted the President's ailment was not critical, but state visits to Moscow had been cancelled for a week. Mr Yeltsin staged a vintage, robust performance at last week's international summit in Istanbul before going home early. The strain may have contributed to his current condition. — The Guardian

Nuclear reactor
KIEV, Nov 26 (AP) — The Ukrainian authorities today restarted the last working nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant, ignoring strong international pressure to shut it down. Reactor No 3 was restarted at 5:30 am (0330 GMT) today after almost five months of repairs and was gradually increasing output, said a spokeswoman for the plant who declined to give her name. She wouldn't say when the reactor was expected to reach full power. Officials at Chernobyl insist that the reactor is safe and free of any potential Y2K bug.

Oil leakage
RAJKOT, Nov 26 (UNI) — India’s first and only marine national park is facing an environmental problem due to crude oil leakage by a national oil company. The 5 sq km spill is located around Vadinar off Jamnagar district in Gujarat. It was noticed on November 15 by local fishermen. Certain rare species of marine life are threatened due to the spill, say local fishermen. The company has ordered an inquiry into the incident and the circumstances which led to the leakage, the company sources said.

Additional judges
JAMMU, Nov 26 (UNI) — Four additional judges today joined the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Mr Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakroo, Mr Justice O.P. Sharma, Mr Justice Girdhari Lal Raina and Mr Justice Syed Bashir-ud-Din were administered oath of office by the Chief Justice Bhawani Singh.

Doctor's strike
MUMBAI, Nov 26 (PTI) — Government medical services in Maharashtra remained crippled for the fifth day today in the wake of indefinite strike by about 4000 resident doctors who are pressing for higher stipends and better working conditions. The agitating medicos and the state government have so far failed to come to the negotiating table notwithstanding the Chief Minister Vilastrao Deshmukh’s statement that he was ‘open for a dialogue’ on their demands.