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Globally, financial markets remain unsettled and currencies are volatile as 2003 runs out, mainly due to anticipation of a decision by US Federal Reserve by end- December to begin a gradual tapering of its unconventional monetary policy (UMP) or “quantitative easing”, while keeping intact its key policy rate at near zero for an extended period.

The UPA government is planning to introduce in Parliament the controversial Telengana bill bifurcating Andhra Pradesh on 9 December on the birthday of UPA chief Sonia Gandhi. On the directions of Gandhi, the Congress big wigs have drawn up a schedule. The GOM on Telengana would finalise the draft bill by 18 November; send it to the cabinet and then to the President by 21 November. The President may send it to the Andhra assembly. The State chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has been asked to convene the Assembly on 25 November to consider the bill.

New Delhi: Shortly after the call of the Russia-India-China (RIC) Trilateral for an alternative security architecture in Asia-Pacific region in response to the US plan seeking a re-balance in the region, the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony is slated to leave for Russia on Saturday to commission the Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya at Sevmash Shipyard, Severodvinsk.

For all the talk about “a strategic partnership in South Asia region” between India and the US, they differ on the critical question: Which party should win the next general elections in Bangladesh?

BHOPAL: With the last date of withdrawal of nominations in Madhya Pradesh over, the stage is set for the keen contest between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Contrary to expectations, both the parties did not face any major revolt from the partymen over the denial of tickets or selection of party candidates for the Vidhan Sabha poll, the voting for which is scheduled for November 25.

Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal has announced that his government is coming up with an Act to debar criminals from contesting elections. There is a lot of confusion about the definition of a criminal, because a common man and an expert have different views about criminals.

Gurgaon (near Delhi): India and Pakistan have agreed that the director generals of military operations (DGMOs) on both sides will meet at an early date to restore peace and tranquility at the line of control (LoC).

Gurgaon (near Delhi): India has decided to send immediate relief supplies to the Philippines to help those affected by Haiyan typhoon. It is also keeping a watch over the situation in Vietnam and if necessary will also rush relief materials.

Whatever its other sins—and there are many—the Sangh Parivar can never be accused of one thing: of having produced a half-way tall intellectual. Indeed, no star in the Hindutva firmament, from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder KB Hedgewar, and its longest-serving sarasanghachalak MS Golwalkar, to the present leaders of the Sangh’s 30-odd affiliate organisations, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, even remotely fits the description “intellectual.”

Manmohan Singh’s decision to stay away from the CHOGM summit in Colombo could not have been taken by him. As on many other occasions, it was the party or, rather Sonia Gandhi, who decided for him.