Bhanu, Panchkula, Jan. 29: With a glint of pride in their eyes and armed with INSAS rifles, 209 women personnel on Friday joined the ranks of the ITBP to guard the Sino-Indian frontier, which Union home minister P. Chidamabaram termed as “one of the most difficult and challenging borders”.

New Delhi, Jan. 29: In fresh development after two ministries involved in a project for widening of a national highway through a national park in Madhya Pradesh resolved their differences, the Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that it would examine the implication of the decision to have an elevated corridor.

Colombo, Jan. 29: A Sri Lankan Special Task Force on Friday raided the office of ex-general Sarath Fonseka here amid confusion over his political future and concern for his safety. The STF said they were looking for Army deserters and weapons, Karu Jayasuriya, deputy leader of the United National Party, an ally in Gen. Fonseka’s failed presidential bid, told reporters at the premises during the raid. A lawyer representing Gen. Fonseka said the STF took 15 workers into custody.

New Delhi, Jan. 29: In accordance with the “advice” of defence minister A.K. Antony, Gen. Deepak Kapoor, the Army Chief, on Friday ordered disciplinary action, which could include a court martial, against the military secretary, Lt. Gen. Avdesh Prakash, in the Sukna land  case. Gen. Kapoor had earlier ordered “administrative action” against Lt. Gen. Prakash, which is considered “milder” than disciplinary action. The Army had earlier decided on disciplinary action against another top officer — Lt. Gen. P.K. Rath, former 33 Corps chief, in the same Sukna land case.

New Delhi, Jan. 29: The ministry of women and child development (WCD), headed by Ms Krishna Tirath, appears to have shown undue haste in putting the advertisement which carried the photograph of a former Pakistan Air Force Chief. So much so that it even bypassed the normal procedure of getting clearance from the Prime Minister’s Office, standard procedure which is meant to be followed by all ministries whenever an ad carrying the PM’s photograph is to be released.

Protesters belonging to aid agency Oxfam, wearing masks of German Chancellor Angela Merkel (from left), Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, throw money into a bucket in a demonstration outside Lancaster House in London on Thursday. The demonstration was to highlight the need to improve the way aid money is spent by the international community in Afghanistan and to make sure more of it reaches those who need it most. PHOTO: Asian Age

Serena Williams of the US reacts as she plays Li Na of China in the Australian Open women’s singles semifinal in Melbourne on Thursday. Williams won 7-6. 7-6. n Report on Page 20     PHOTO: AP

New Delhi, Jan. 28: India is understood to be examining the possibility of buying 145 ultra light-weight howitzer 155 mm artillery guns for the Indian Army from the United States under the foreign military sales (government-to-government) route.

New Delhi, Jan. 28: After the 26/11 terror attacks put the Indo-Pak peace process on hold, Union home minister P. Chidambaram is likely to visit Islamabad next month to attend the Saarc Home Ministers’ Conference.

New Delhi, Jan. 28: Sarath Fonseka, who lost the presidential polls, had plotted to assassinate President Mahinda Rajapakse and create a “bloodbath”, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapakse, the Sri Lankan defence secretary and brother of the President, alleged in an exclusive telephone interview from Colombo on Thursday. However,  Gen. Fonseka, a former Sri Lankan Army Chief, rejected the allegations and said they were “trumped up charges” to arrest him.