Eden to witness do or die battle between CSK and KKR
Kolkata | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Mumbai syndrome will haunt both the sides when host Kolkata take on visiting Chennai at Eden Gardens tomorrow as the race for IPL's semifinal berth, that generated huge crowd support for T20 cricket across the country, heats up.

 PM, Sonia wish Karunanidhi speedy recovery
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today enquired about the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi, who is undergoing treatment for neck and back pain in a private hospital at suburban Porur.

 JD(U) to fight from all seats in MP
Bhopal | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Madhya Pradesh JD(U) today announced that the party would field candidates from all 230 assembly constituencies during the upcoming assembly polls in the state.

 6 Jaish and Top Lashkar commander killed another arrested in Kashmir
Srinagar | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Six militants of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and a self styled District Commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed and another was arrested in the Kashmir valley overnight.

 NCP will win Thane LS seat by huge margin: Patil
Mumbai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today expressed confidence that NCP candidate Sanjiv Ganesh Naik will win the Thane Lok Sabha byelection by over one lakh votes.

 'Star Wave' wins Mayor's Cup
Bangalore | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Favourite 'Star Wave' ridden by Jockey B Prakash won The Mayor's Cup, the opening day's races of Bangalore Summer Meeting 2008, held here today.

 Call for right use of RTI
Puducherry | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Personnel and Administration Department Secretary Sahoo today said the Right to Information Act (RTI) should be used for the benefit of the people instead of harassing people.

 AP Home Min orders inquiry into faction leader's death
Hyderabad | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister K Jana Reddy today ordered a police inquiry into the Lorry-Sumo collision in which K Venkatappaiah Naidu, a faction leader and seven others were killed, following allegations by TDP leaders that rival faction gang had killed them in a 'planned manner.' Talking to newspersons here, Mr Reddy condemned the incident and said action would taken against the guilty whether they belonged to the TDP or Congress. Stating that the government had taken effective steps to curb the faction feuds in Rayalaseema region, he said stringent punishment would be awarded to the accused.

 Centre responsible for increase in terrorism: Chouhan
Barwani | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today held the lax attitude of the Centre responsible for the menace of terrorism spreading its tentacles across the country.

 Congress MLAs decide to quit Punjab assembly over poll issue
Amritsar | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
In a major political development today, 43 Congress MLAs, including opposition leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal decided to resign from Punjab Assembly in protest against ''murder of democracy'' in the just concluded Zila and Block committee polls swept by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal amid instances of violence.

 Four nabbed for attacking candidate
Phagwara | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Police today arrested four persons on the charges of attacking and critically injuring a candidate when he was going to file nomination papers for the Panchayat Elections.

 India repatriates Pakistan fishermen
Wagah | May 17, 2008 5:16:14 PM IST
India on Saturday released 14 Pakistani fishermen, who were caught straying into Indian waters last year.

 Villages in AP dist to have mineral water plants
Kakinada | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Zilla Parishad Chairman S Venu Gopalakrishna today said all the village panchayats in East Godavari district would have mineral water plants soon. Addressing newspersons here, he said the plan, mooted by the Zilla Parishad, was expected to cost around Rs 100 crore and proposals were already submitted to the government to secure the required funds under the Rajiv Rural Water Mission. He said several coastal villages in Konaseema region were facing salinity problem and if the project was cleared, the people would be assured of protected drinking water. Mr Gopalakrishna said arrangements were being made on a large scale for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Zilla Parishad's old conference hall in July. He said all the former Zilla Parishad chairmen would be felicitated on the occasion.

 Nigerian held amid high drama
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Amid high drama, police arrested a Nigerian national in the early hours of today from a slum at suburban Pallavaram where he was hiding after he escaped from his hotel late last night following a raid.

 2 women, man commits suicide
Lucknow | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Three people, including two women, today committed suicide in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

 Fruit growers oppose privatisation of AIPIL factory
Shimla | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Fruit growers of three districts of Himachal Pradesh have opposed any move by the state government to privatise the Agro Industrial Packaging India Limited (AIPIL) factory, saying it will increase the price of the cartons besides rendering several employees of the factory jobless.

 Thane tribals get jobs in Dubai
Thane | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
A batch of 40 tribals from this district got jobs in industrial houses, while another batch is all set to go to Dubai soon after receiving industrial training at Somaiya Vidyavihar.

 Ayodhya temple land should be handed to Hindus: Saint Vedanti
Agra | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Leader of Ram Janmabhoomi movement Saint Ram Vilas Vedanti today said the Central government should now hand over the Temple land in Ayodhya to Hindus. Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Vedanti said ''it seems that the matter is not reaching any solution in the court. Therefore, the time has come when the Central government should make a law and hand over the Temple land to Hindus.'' The Saint also lambasted the UPA government at the Centre for its soft approach towards terrorism. ''The Central government is busy in appeasement policy and collecting votes and is least concerned with the problems of comman-man,''he charged.

 Four run over by jeep; two dead in UP
Lucknow | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Two people were crushed to death after being run over by a speeding jeep in Alambag area here today.

 Woman drives away men from CM's meeting
Barwani | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
A woman, armed with a lathi, drove a few men away who were obstructing the view while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was addressing a Panch Sarpanch meeting at Jalgaon, 40 km from here today.

 PM declines to comment on status of investigation into blasts
Bagdogra | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declined to comment on the status of investigation into Tuesday's serial blasts in Jaipur while advocating the setting up of an agency to tackle issues like terrorism.

 Deshmukh assures help to Shridhar
Mumbai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has assured every assistance to young researcher Shridhar Kamble to enable his visit to the US.

 TN hoteliers assure Minister to bring down prices of eatables
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Hoteliers in Tamil Nadu today assured to take steps to bring down the prices of eatables.

 Tourism to provide employment to HP youth, says Anurag
Shimla | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Anurag Thakur, BJP's candidate for the May 22 Hamirpur Parliamentary bypolls, today vowed to give a boost to tourism and sports activities in the state and said these two sectors had the potential to employ 50,000 youths of the state.

 DGP reviews security arrangements for elections
Chandigarh | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Punjab DGP NPS Aulakh today exhorted the field officers to ensure effective security arrangements for fair and peaceful conduct of coming Amritsar (South) Assembly constituency and Panchayat elections in the state.

 Sovereign Guarantee For Student Loan Soon : Arjun
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The government may soon announce a sovereign guarantee to help students overcome cumbersome formalities of higher and professional study loans.

 HDDC calls off strike, CM to consider for separate dist
Aizawl | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Hnahthial District Demand Committee (HDDC) today called off its 20-day-long hunger strike after Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga assured to consider its demand.

 Bhajji should curb his aggression: Ganguly
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Extending his full support to Harbhajan Singh, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly described him as a very good human being and asked the off-spinner to control his aggression as he is very crucial for the national squad.

 Red Ribbon Express to reach Renigunta on May 23
Tirupati | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
As part of its nation-wide campaign against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the Red Ribbon Express train will arrive at Renigunta near here on May 23.

 Three die in road accident
Shivpuri | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Three people today died and four were injured when their car collided with a truck at Kolaras road in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh this evening, police said today. The car was heading from Dhulia to Nadarwar when the incident occurred. The deceased were identified as Dinesh (28), Deepak (32) and Vatan (55).

 PM hopes good sense will prevail among those opposing deal
Bagdogra | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hoped that good sense will prevail among those opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal saying the agreement was in the best interest of the country.

 Revival of Silk Route possible, says IRU Congress
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The historic Silk Route -- world's oldest trade link between Asia and Europe -- can be revitalised if the top leaderships of countries on the route show their political will, transport ministers and experts opined at an international conference in Istanbul, Turkey.

 CM announces compensation for kin of electrocution victims
Bhubaneswar | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 from his Relief Fund to the kin of each of the seven labourers, who were electrocuted at Sanada near Talcher in Angul district, last night.

 Hoteliers assures Food Min to bring down prices of eatables
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Hoteliers in Tamil Nadu today assured to take steps to bring down the prices of eatables.

 People should choose between INLD and Congress: Chautala
Hisar | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Indian National Lok Dal president and former Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala today said that Bhajan Lal had no political future and people should choose between the INLD and the Congress.

 Central team to collect syringe samples
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Following Tamil Nadu Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam's letter complaining that Auto Disable (AD) syringes supplied by the Centre were defective, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said he had instructed Drug Controller General of India to send teams not only to Tamil Nadu but also throughout the country to pick up samples.

 Ban on unauthorised disposal of garbage in Gurgaon
Gurgaon | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The district administration has ordered a ban on unauthorised disposal of garbage on Faridabad Road here.

 BSP to contest LS polls on its own in Bihar
Bettiah | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today announced that it will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar on its own without having a truck with any political party or front.

 Police arrests suspected SIMI activist for Jaipur bombings
Jaipur | May 17, 2008 4:15:00 PM IST
Jaipur,May 17 (ANI) :The Rajasthan police arrested a man on Saturday morning , suspected to have links with the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, in relation to the serial bombings in Jaipur.

 TN Minister joins issue with PMK leader on higher education
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education K Ponmudi today joined issue with Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder-leader S Ramadoss over the development of higher eudcation in the state.

 BJP demands Centre to issue white paper on inflation
Indore | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the United Progressive Alliance government to issue a white paper regarding the spiralling inflation.

 Rains likely in Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Pune | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Rain or thundershowers are likely to occur at many places in Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 No shortage of foodgrains in HP
Shimla | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Himachal Pradesh Civil Supplies Department today claimed that there was no shortage of foodgrains in the state and the government was providing essential commodities to all ration card holders on reasonable rates.

 Repolling likely to be held in three places in K'taka: CEO
Bangalore | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M N Vidyashankar today said repolling in three places was likely in Bellary, Raichur and Dakshina Kannada districts for problems connected with EVMs and confusion about the polling booths in the second phase of KarnatakaAssembly elections.

 PM wishes speedy recovery for Karunanidhi
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today wished a speedy recovery to ailing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who has been admitted to a Chennai hospital for treatment. Dr Singh also sent a bouquet of flowers to be personally delivered to the senior Tamil Nadu leader in his hospital room.

 CPI (M) to hold dharna in TN for abolishing untouchability
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today announced a state-wide dharna on May 23, pressing for abolition of untouchability in Tamil Nadu.

 Blood on priority for thalessemia patients
Shimla | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Himachal Pradesh Government today said thalessemia patients were being provided blood from blood banks on priority basis without taking replacement donor.

 Surjeet's condition remains critical, brain damaged say doctors
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Condition of Communist Party of India (Marxist) veteran Surjeet Karkishan Singh Surjeet continues to remain critical with doctors declaring that his brain had suffered damages.

 Unidentified miscreants shoot dead two, including a CPI(M) leader
Samastipur | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Unidentified miscreants shot dead two people, including a CPI(M) leader and former block Pramukh, at Sakh Mohun village under Vibhutipur police station in the district.

 Vaccine labs not shut, only production licences suspended
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss today asserted that the three PSU vaccine manfuacturing labs at Chennai, Coonoor and Kasauli were not closed, but only their production licences were suspended temporarily to prevent de-recognition of National Regulatory Authority (NRA) by the World Health Organisation. Addressing a press conference here, he described as "false, and baseless" , reports in a section of the press that the Centre had closed down the BCG Vaccine Lab (Chennai), Pasteur Institute (Coonoor) and CRI (Kasauli) with a view to procure vaccines from private players.

 12 suspended in Basti division
Siddharthnagar | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
As many as 12 officials and workers were suspended last month in Basti division for conducting irregularities in development works. Action was taken against altogether 49 officials and workers, following an annual inspection in Basti, Sant Kabirnagar and Siddharthnagar districts of the division.

 Man relieved of Rs 72,000
Satna | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
A Tamil Nadu resident was beaten up and relieved of Rs 72,000 in cash by some unidentified people in this district's Dagdiha village, police said today.

 Probe corruption in Kanha Park: Uike
Bhopal | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Gondwana Mukti Sena Patron and Kanha Tiger Project member Darbu Singh Uike has demanded a probe into the alleged corruption and irregularities in the protection of tigers in the park. Mr Uike told reporters here today that since 2005 government had spent crores of rupees for the protection and growth of wildlife but due to alleged irregularities by the officers no welfare had been done for the park and tigers. Hence Kanha Park did not remain what it was a decade ago, he said.

 BSF jawan shoots himself dead
Shillong | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
A constable of the Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service weapon at Purakhasia sector in Meghalaya, a BSF official said today.

 2 groups clash in Ankleshwar
Bharuch | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Two groups clashed in the Kasbativad and Malivad localities of Ankleshwar late last night, forcing police to lob six rounds of teargas shells to disperse the rioteers.

 Security tightened in Khajuraho after Jaipur blast
Jaipur | May 17, 2008 3:24:52 PM IST
Days after the serial blasts ripped through Jaipur, security has been beefed up in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

 Turban diktat kicks up row in Punjab's Sikh school
Sangrur | May 17, 2008 3:23:39 PM IST
About 150 Hindu parents at a school in Cheema town of Sangrur district in Punjab are not sending their children to school as a protest after the school's Sikh authorities asked all students to wear traditional Sikh headgear to school.

 Strawberry farmers revel in joy as weather ensures good yield
Srinagar | May 17, 2008 3:22:26 PM IST
Strawberry growers in Kashmir look forward to a bumper crop this season due to timely rainfall, which has brought cheer to the farmers in the valley.

 Exiled Tibetans commemorate 13th anniversary of Panchen Lama's disappearance
Dharamsala | May 17, 2008 3:17:34 PM IST
Exiled Tibetans here today took part in a mass prayer to mark the 13th anniversary of the disappearance of Panchen Lama, Tibet's second-highest ranking spiritual leader.

 Veteran CPM leader Surjeet slips into coma
Noida | May 17, 2008 3:39:22 PM IST
Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who was admitted to a hospital in Noida with an acute respiratory problem, has slipped into coma.

 ndian scientist makes breakthrough in mobile signaling
Washington | May 17, 2008 3:22:20 PM IST
An Indian-origin scientist at the University of Leicester has made a breakthrough discovery in mobile signals, which according to him, may have implications for countries with long coastlines such as India.

 2 Maoists killed in an encounter in Orissa
Malkingiri | May 17, 2008 3:18:41 PM IST
Police killed two suspected Maoists in Malkangiri district of Orissa today.

 West Bengal prepares for third phase of panchayat polls
Kolkata | May 17, 2008 3:15:02 PM IST
As West Bengal gears up for the third phase of panchayat polls to be held on Sunday, the State Government has tightened security throughout North Bengal.

 Inspector in ACB net, assests worth Rs 70 lakh unearthed
Hyderabad | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case of disproportionate assets today against P Narender Reddy, Inspector of Prohibition and Excise at Kodangal in Mahaboobnagar district.

 KEW to prepare final report on candidates' huge assets
Bangalore | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Karnataka Election Watch (KEW) today said it was preparing a final report on candidates with huge assets for submission to the Election Commission, Income Tax and Judicial and Government officials for 'investigation into the amassing of such wealth.' KEW Founder Trilokanath Shastry told reporters here a number of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly Elections had reported a huge increase in assets compared to the time of previous elections.

 Cause for infants death only after investigation: Ramadoss
Chennai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The exact reason for the death of four infants, who died after administration of measles vaccine at Thiruvalluvar district of Tamil Nadu last month, would be known only after the investigation was over, Union Minister for Health Anbumani Ramadoss said here today.

 Congress loses moral right to continue in Pondy: AIADMK
Puducherry | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
AIADMK Puducherry unit Secretary A Anbazhagan, MLA, today alleged that the Congress government in the Union Territory had lost its moral right to continue in power.

 HP urges Centre not to impose ban on new LPG connections
Shimla | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The Himachal Pradesh government has urged the Centre not to impose ban on release of new gas connections in the state, a government spokesman said.

 PPTCT protects 75 per cent newly born from HIV infections
Shimla | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
In a remarkable achievement the Prevention of Parents to Child Transmission (PPTCT) programme in Himachal Pradesh has been able to contain the spread of AIDS among the newly borns. Talking to mediapersons here today, Dr Sunil Mehra of MAMTA, a Delhi-based health institute for mother and child, said depleted immunity against the HIV/AIDS may not be restored well, but practicing of Prevention of Parents to Child Transmission (PPTC) had considerably protected 75 per cent of newly-born babies from contracting neo-natal infections in Himachal Pradesh.

 MCCI ultras gun down BJYM leader in Loherdega
Loherdega | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Armed ultras of the proscribed Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI) gunned down a local Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader at Bhandra police station area in this district today.

 Naxal held, remanded in custody
Rajahmundry | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Police today arrested a Janashakti naxal at Gokavaram Mandal of East Godavari District.

 Centre approves SPV to take up overseas mining
Hyderabad | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Union Minister of State for Coal Santosh Bagrodia today said the Centre had approved the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with five Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to execute coal mining projects in other countries.

 Kerala to form company to channel NRK investment: CM
Thiruvananthapuram | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Kerala will form a company to attract and channel investments from Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) for development purposes, Chief Minister V S Achutanandan today said.

 Tyre burst create panic before Sonia's Campaign
Hubli | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
People ran helter skelter fearing a bomb blast when tyres of a vehicle burst on the road leading to the venue where Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi was to address an election rally. With last Saturday's explosion in the Court Hall fresh in the minds of the people, today's incident caught them unawares and they started running for cover.

 SIMI activist nabbed in Sawai Madhopur
Jaipur | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The police has nabbed a Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activist in Sawai Madhopur district for interrogation.

 Andhra boy is topper in Civil Services exams
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Mr Adapa Karthik of Andhra Pradesh has topped the list of 734 successful candidates in the 2007 Civil Services Examinations conducted by the Union Public Services Commission. Miss Ashima Jain of Delhi, who secured seventh positionn is the topper among women of in the list of 286 candidates in General category, 266 Other Backward Classes, 128 Scheduled Castes and 54 Scheduled Tribe candidates. The written examinations were held in October-November 2007. The interviews for personality test were conducted in March-May this year. The results announced by the UPSC yesterday will be subject to the final outcome of the Special Leave Petition filed by Union of India in the Supreme Court against an order of the Madras High Court. The UPSC has set up a Facilitation Counter in its campus for providing information and clarification to the candidates regarding the examination and recruitment. The results can also be accessed on official web site of the UPSC -- http//www.upsc.gov.in.

 Radiation threat still persists in Meghalaya
Shillong | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
The government should ensure people's safety before initiating the Uranium mining project in Meghalaya as the radiation threat still persists, senior Congress leader R C Laloo said here today.

 Seven labourers electrocuted in Talcher
Talcher | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Seven labourers were killed and four seriously injured after coming in contact with 11 KVA live wire at Sanada village, 25 km from here in Angul district, last night Police said today.

 Youth held for kidnapping, raping minor girl
Mumbai | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
A 25-year-old youth, claiming to be a journalist, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl at Malad here. The victim was allegedly kidnapped and raped by Rajkishor Shivshankar Tiwari, (25) on May 1, police said today. The youth later let the victim off but threatened her of dire consequences if she disclosed the incident to anybody. However, the girl narrated the gruesome act to her parents who lodged a complaint with Malvani police station.

 AIDS patient kills wife, injures self
Surat | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
An AIDS patient killed his wife and later attempted suicide here last night. Police said Bhupendra Singh and Varsha, both bootleggers, had been married for five years. About 18 months back, Bhupendra was tested positive for AIDS, following which his wife Varsha refused to have physical relations with him. Things came to a head last night when Varsha threatened to abandon Bhupendra, police said. In a fit of rage, Bhupendra stabbed Varsha with a knife and killed her. Later, he inflicted injuries with the same weapon on his neck. He had been admitted to the hospital, police said.

 Mumbai Indians out to take revenge against Deccan Chargers
Hyderabad | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
After inflicting a severe drubbing on Kolkata Knight Riders to be in contention for the semi-final berth with five wins in a row, a confident Mumbai Indians will go all out to take revenge against hapless Deccan Chargers in the return match in the DLF Indian Premier League(IPL) here tomorrow.

 LCI opens area office, collection centre
Mysore | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Life Cell International, a pioneer in stem cell banking, research and therapy in India, today announced the launch of its area office and collection centre in the city for umbilical cord blood steam cell banking.

 Legislators to press for statehood for Puducherry
Puducherry | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Puducherry legislators would be taken to New Delhi in the first week of June to press for seperate statehood as announced in the territorial assembly, Chief Minister N.Rangasamy said here today.

 Advani wants China to hold dialogue with Dalai Lama
Hyderabad | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani today asked China to initiate a dialogue with Dalai Lama to find a solution to the Tibetan issue. Talking to newspersons here, he said, ''we have problem with China in relation to Tibet. Beijing should initiate steps to find an amicable solution to the Tibetan issue.'' Replying to a question, Mr Advani said India need not think in terms of which neighbour was a ''bigger enemy'' but concentrate on improving India's security by assessing the threat perceptions.

 Army foiled militant bid to smuggle in arms in Kupwara, one arrested
Srinagar | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Army today foiled a militant bid to smuggle in arms and ammunition in the frontier district of Kupwara, official sources said.

 Congress demands release of illegally detained Malayalee in Kuwait
New Delhi | Saturday, May 17 2008 IST
Congress leader P T Thomas today demanded a CBI inquiry into the allegation that Kerala police had trapped an innocent man from Changanasserry and illegally taken him to Kuwait and handed over to the police authorities who arrested him there in 2006 in connection with a case pending against him.