HEADLINES

• Loop Telecom and Essar executives charge sheeted in the 2G case
• 5 judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court to hear the various petitions on the Mullaiperiyar Dam issue
• Industrial output registered a negative growth of 5.1% due to rising interest rates and high prices
• Ajit Singh of the RLD to formally join the UPA and is likely to become the Civil aviation minister

NATIONAL NEWS

• Nuclear Liability rules are ultra vires says Soli Sorabjee
  • Mr.Sorabjee said that the crucial rule restricting the liability to just 5 years in case of an accident is ultra vires and invalid and could be successfully challenged in courts. This is likely to upset the suppliers from US, France and Russia and the Govt which were already trying to settle on the 5 year limitation period;
  • Mr. Sorabjee said that the rule 24(1) which reduces the liability period prescribed under the Act cannot be said to be carrying out the purpose of the Act and is therefore ultra vires of the Act;
  • This comes at a time when India and US are holding meetings to discuss the civil nuclear issues.
• UPA to reach out to allies and opposition before taking the Lokpal Bill to the Cabinet
• Supreme Court tells states to guarantee night-shelters for homeless during winter
  • The SC directed Delhi and other states to ensure that adequate shelters were provided for night stay. The court also said that not a single person should be allowed to die from having to sleep on the pavement in the freezing cold.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• China to open Military base in Indian Ocean
  • IN the move that may cause unease in India, China oannounced that it would be setting up its first military base abroiad in the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles to “seek supplies and recuperate” facilities for its navy;
  • China has already cemented its foothold in the Indian Ocean by signing contacts with the UN-backed International Seabed Authority to gain rights to explore polymetallic sulphide ore deposits in the Indian Ocean over the next 15 years;
  • Playing down the significance of the arrangement with Seychelles, China said that it was international practice for naval fleets to re-supply at the closest port during long-distance missions. It also linked the opening of the port to the invite by the island state to deal with anti-piracy fight.

EDITORIALS, OPINIONS & COLUMNS

• Read this article on the recent elections in Russia and movement against it
• Read this article about India's sad performance at the Durban summit