29 January 1998
RBI puts lid on Catholic Syrian impasse; spikes share transfer The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has quashed the Bangkok-based Sura Chansrichawla-led Siam Vaidya group's attempt to take over the Thrissur-based Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB). It has for the second time rejected a proposal from the bank's board of directors to transfer a controlling stake of 36.23 per cent to the group.	Death rap for 26 accused in Rajiv case All the 26 accused, including four women, arrested in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi were sentenced to be hanged to death by a designated court today. However, the death sentence is subject to confirmation by the Supreme Court. All the accused -- 16 Sri Lankans and 10 local Tamils guilty of the conspiracy to execute the extraordinary plan hatched by LTTE supremo Vellupillai Prabhakaran to engage a suicide bomber to detonate an explosive concealed in her waist belt. Disinvestment Commission may suggest winding up in April Members of the Disinvestment Commission may recommend the winding up of the panel after the submission of its sixth and last report some time in April. The commission will have virtually no work after submitting its sixth report which will cover eight to nine public sector undertakings. The commission, has only recently been divested of its powers to recommend broad policy measures and monitor the process of disinvestment.
WEEKLY SNAPSHOTS MID: Men in Drag Drag acts in Hindi cinema have been extremely popular over the years. Now more than ever, men in drag are in the news, with a recent spate of films featuring men dressed as women. A look at the new phenomenon of drag appeal. The great car shake-out A fierce blaze has started to sweep across the sub-continent called India. The heat caused by India's reckless concessions to finance and investment firms and by the disregard its economic planners have paid to framing a policy before embarking upon what they described as economic liberalisation is likely to see many enterprises getting roasted on the spit. One of the major casualities could very well be the automobile industry.   TOP STORIES FOR JAN 29 Calls plummet as RBI steps into forwards ring Ambani seeks PTA case summons withdrawal Clinton nominated for Nobel prize Hingis pierces Mary's semifinal hopes Gauthami is BJP's answer to Rajni	Web Posted at 11:27:17 IST WORLD Lewinsky not part of Right-Wing conspiracy: Lawyer The attorney of the most celebrated intern in the White House today denied that Lewinsky had any Right-Wing agenda to malign the President. FINANCE Blue-Chips rise for third straight session Blue-chip stocks climbed for the third straight session on Wednesday, driven by another day of upbeat earnings and a rally in technology stocks. EARTH Caracasses of over 2000 turtles in Orissa coast - Survey Fishing trawlers in Orissa's coast have killed over 2,000 olive ridley sea turtles, and the dead creatures have been strewn all over the shores, says a study. OUR PEOPLE AIIMS surgeon selected guest scholar by U.S. college Associate professor of urology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Ashok Kumar Hemal has been selected as an international guest scholar by the American College of Surgeons. Jyoti Basu's political autobiography released Country's longest serving chief minister has released his autobiography in five languages. He says he has no identity separate from his party. An Express view of Elections '98