Despite current economic slump, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has announced that it envisages

IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) has informed that it intends to build 650 examination centres across the country, including 15 in various jails, for its ensuing 'term-end examination' commencing December1.

"More than 2.73 lakh candidates will appear for the examinations," IGNOU spokesperson Ravi Mohan said.

According to the sources, IGNOU has also established 15 examination centres in jails for inmates who have enrolled to its various undergraduate courses.

Leader of the Opposition L K Advani spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday night after the terrorist attack in Mumbai. The PM confirmed him that terrorists had attacked at five places in which at least 18 people were killed and 25 injured.

Advani called up Singh twice to find out details of the terror strikes in Mumbai.

The Prime Minister told Advani that incidents, including a bomb blast and firing, had taken place at five places across the commercial capital and 18 people had died while 25 had been injured in these attacks.

Accused of 1993 Mumbai serial

Two police cases were registered against Trinamool Congress MLA Sonali Guha and her supporters for causing obstruction in discharge of duty and criminal intimidation, among other offences.

"We have filed two cases under Sections 353, 341 and 506 against Guha and her supporters Wednesday for locking at least 13 policemen including IC (inspector-in-charge) S Basu inside Nodakhali police station in South 24 Parganas on Tuesday night," a police officer said.

Ms. Guha had stormed into Nodhakhali thana that falls in her constituency with her supporters on Tuesday protesting against the partisan attitude of the local police.

This issue was raised in the West Bengal assembly.

Muthulakshmi, the widow of slain forest brigand Veerappan, was arrested on Wednesday by the Karnataka Police in connection with TADA cases registered against her.

Three of her associates Tailor Bose, Tailor Seena and Ponnusswamy were also arrested.

"While Muthulakshmi was nabbed near Mettur (Tamil Nadu), Tailor Bose was arrested at Periathanda near Kolathur (Tamil Nadu), Tailor Seena at Gopinatham near M M Hills in Chamarajnagar district (Karnataka) and Ponnuswamy near Koteyur near Gopinatham", a police official said in Bangalore.

A 15 member police team arrested them.