New Delhi, March 9 : Reports have indicated that China is planning to launch 15 to 16 satellites in 2009.

"Though the global financial crisis is taking toll on world economy, it has no impact on China's space programs," said Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of the manned space project.

China is at present "batch-producing" the three spacecraft, Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10, according to Zhang, who is also a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

New Delhi, Mar 8 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Rajnath Singh on Sunday, expressed his regret over Biju Janata Dal (BJP) supremo Naveen Patnaik''s decision to discontinue the 11-year-old alliance between both parties.

In an interview to Times Now, Singh said, "I feel it is unfortunate. We could not ever imagine that the BJP-BJD alliance will break down."

"I am shocked at the decision... Naveen Patnaik never indicated his dissatisfaction with the alliance," he added.

New Delhi, Mar. 8 : The Central Government has sanctioned nearly 80 crore rupees to the Delhi Police to upgrade its equipment to provide foolproof security and avert any Lahore-type attack on sportsmen during the Commonwealth Games.

"A total of Rs 78.26 crore has been sanctioned to Delhi Police to procure additional security equipment like X-ray scanners, Door Frame Metal Detectors, Hand Held Metal Detectors, vehicles, communication equipment, specifically for Commonwealth Games 2010," a home ministry source said.

New Delhi, Mar 8 : President Pratibha Patil will launch the `Save Girl Child' campaign on the occasion of International Women''s Day today.

The President will administer a mass oath at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

A gender development index and a report on gender empowerment measures in India will also be released to mark the occasion.

Besides, a report on the `Bell Bajao' campaign and on appointment of protection officers for the implementation of the Child Marriage Act and Prohibition of Domestic Violence Act will also be released.

New Delhi, Mar 7 : India''s paramilitary, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has decided to give 150 companies to provide security for the upcoming national elections.

Addressing a news conference in national capital New Delhi, CISF Director General N R Das said the force they are providing to various states is as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.

New Delhi, Mar 7 : The commando style terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore clearly tells the world how the terror outfits have a free run in Pakistan. How else could the perpetrators of the attack on the cricketers walk away so easily without being challenged?

The events made it clear that anyone wanting a guarantee for security in Pakistan should include the terror groups in the negotiations. The events have made it clear we are living with a dangerous neighbour.