Judiciary should be financially independent: HC
The judiciary should be financially independent and the Chief Justice be given the power to create posts and courts, believes a Orissa High Court division bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P C Naik.

Palestinians advance on Wye River accord
Palestinians have taken the next step toward carrying out the land-for-security agreement even though Israel has suspended implementation of the accord. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation's executive committee began preparing for a mid-December gathering in Gaza City.

Taiwan votes: Who deals with China next?
An early low voter turnout in Taiwan was seen as favouring the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the island voted in elections which could set the tone for future dealings with China.

  Quicktakes
  House debates private Bill on Vidarbha state
  Depression over impending divorce led to Garware suicide, say police
  Ranade's mantra
  Thackeray, Desai let off in Mumbai riots case
  Ayodhya quiet on Babri eve
  Gujarat Govt order on schools condemned
  Talks on auto fare hike inconclusive
  Delegation meets Italian leaders on Malta tragedy
  Illegal bungalows on Yeoor hills razed
  Tigers run around at Vaiko son's wedding function
  End of the Khmer Rouge
  Barjinder stands by resignation
  Lanka calls off Jaffna offensive
  Three held in Malegaon for communal propaganda
  Heroin in the holy war
  Romesh Sharma gets bitter taste of jail life
  Glenn awarded Pentagon's highest civilian honour
  14 years later, Bhopal gas victims still gasp for breath
  Kid steps into new shoes; enters Guinness Book
  CPM deplores Govt decision on movie
  Shahrukh discharged in black marketing and hoarding case
  Court allows jailed cop to take DU exam
  Since cricket issue didn't work Sena picked on Fire, says Deepa
  Alert conductor saves 44 passengers; driver dies