• Withdrawal of Pak troops from LoC begins
  ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 — Pakistani troops today started moving back from the Line of Control following yesterday’s announcement in this regard today.
  

• Ceasefire has positive tone: Pakistan
  ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 — Pakistan today said that India’s extension of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir had a “positive tone” but fell short of Islamabad’s expectations about the early resumption of negotiations between the two countries.
  

• Resolve J&K issue through talks: Pak navy chief
  ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 — Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, has said the Kashmir issue needed to be resolved through “political dialogue” to bring peace and prosperity to the region.
  

Tamil Tigers announce ceasefire
COLOMBO, Dec 21 — The Tamil Tigers today declared a month-long unilateral ceasefire, claiming that it was a “goodwill measure to facilitate the peace process”, a statement on their official website said.

Banking services crippled
NEW DELHI, Dec 21 — Banking operations across the country came to a grinding halt today with employees of nationalised banks going on a day’s strike against ‘’privatisation’’ even as the controversial Bill to reduce government equity was referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.

• Bank strike in region

Posers to Sonia on Quattrochhi
NEW DELHI, Dec 21 — In an effort to establish Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi’s link with Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochhi, a prime accused in the multi-crore Bofors pay-off case, the Bharatiya Janata Party today raised several questions challenging her to dispute that Mr Quattrochhi was “her gift to this country”.

Giani Puran Singh stays
Panel formed to probe corruption charges
AMRITSAR, Dec 21 — The SGPC executive today confirmed the controversial appointment of Giani Puran Singh as Head Granthi of the Golden Temple. The appointment had caused resentment among the Sikh high priests.