Open School Council for convenient education in UP
Lucknow | Saturday, May 10 2008 IST
To ensure secondary level education among girls, boys, housemakers, working women and men, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to establish a 'State Open School Council.' A provision of Rs one crore has been made in the ongoing Financial year for this work, sources said. The step would benefit people to pursue education upto secondary level conveniently from their homes.

 14 IPS officers transferred in UP
Lucknow | Saturday, May 10 2008 IST
The Uttar Pradesh government transferred 14 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers tonight.

 300 fall ill after feast
Barabanki | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
At least 300 people took ill possibly due to food poisining after participating in a reception party at Dadiya town here today. Chief Medical Officer of District Hospital A K Chawla said soon after taking food at a reception party of one Valli Mohammed's son, the condition of a large number of invitees started deteriorating.

 Now Kashmir bus services to operate on weekly basis
Srinagar | May 10, 2008 11:38:18 PM IST
The bus services between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Poonch and Rawalakote would shortly operate on a weekly basis.

 Raj Thackeray refuses notice of Maharashtra Police
Mumbai | May 10, 2008 11:34:39 PM IST
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday refused to accept a notice issued by the Maharashtra Police to observe restraint and not to commit any cognisable offence through his speeches and writings which could create law and order problems in the state.his led the police team to paste the notice outside his Shivaji Park residence in Mumbai.

 Stage set for first phase of Karnataka Assembly polls
Bangalore | May 10, 2008 11:33:26 PM IST
All arrangements have been completed for the first phase of assembly elections in Karnataka.

 India to send more relief to Myanmar on Saturday
New Delhi | May 10, 2008 11:32:13 PM IST
India will send a second transport plane IL-76 with necessary relief material to Myanmar on Saturday for people affected by Cyclone Nargis.

 Maharashtra Police issues notice to Raj Thackeray for inciting violence
Mumbai | May 10, 2008 11:31:00 PM IST
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Friday said that a notice served on the Maharashtra Navnirmana Sena's (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray by the police for his inflammatory speech targeting North Indians was a warning to prevent such an offence in future.

 Scarlett Keeling case: Prime witness wants lookout notice lifted
Panaji | May 10, 2008 11:22:29 PM IST
The prime British witness in the Scarlett Keeling murder case, Michael Mannion, reportedly plans to approach the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court to seek withdrawal of a lookout circular issued against him by Goa Police.

 First phase of Karnataka polls: Facts at Glance
New Delhi | May 10, 2008 11:21:16 PM IST
Following are the key facts related to the first phase of Assembly elections in Karnataka:

 Closing ceremony of 150th anniversary of India's first War of Independence tomorrow
New Delhi | May 10, 2008 11:18:50 PM IST
The year-long celebration of 150 years of India's first War of Independence will come to an end here on Saturday.

 Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee bashes PM; reiterates prospect of Third Front
Kolkata | May 10, 2008 11:17:37 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Friday advocated the option for third front alleging that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has failed on all fronts.

 Poisonous gas leak claims three lives in Haryana
Karnal | May 10, 2008 11:13:58 PM IST
Leakage of some poisonous gas from a chimney of an iron foundry in Karnal district in Haryana claimed three lives on Friday.

 Indian Navy to acquire six more submarines
Mumbai | May 10, 2008 11:12:45 PM IST
India on Friday said it would soon float a global tender for six conventional submarines and develop a nuclear powered submarine.

 Child Flies High with Darsheel Safary on the Cover
New Delhi | May 10, 2008 11:11:32 PM IST
New Delhi, May 9 (ANI - Business Wire India): CHILD, the second issue of the new English monthly parenting magazine, hit the stands today with Darsheel Safary. The star of Taare Zameen Par.

 Yusuf, Smith shine as Rajasthan Royals rout Hyderabad by 8 wickets
Jaipur | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
A swash-buckling 68 off 37 balls by Yusuf Pathan and his brilliant century partnership with Graems Smith (40) led Rajasthan Royals to a resounding eight wicket victory over Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers, in the IPL cricket tournament at the SMS stadium here tonight.

 Mob kills accident victim mistaking him for Dera chief
Nagpur | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
In a bizarre incident, an accident victim was killed by an angry mob who mistook him for Dera Saccha Sauda sect's chief Baba Ram Rahim and pelted stones at the vehicle taking him to hospital near Itankar Dhaba on Bhandara road.

 Deccan chargers set a target of 141 runs for Rajasthan Royals
Jaipur | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Adam Gilchrist's hurricane 61 runs knock helped Deccan Chargers set Hyderabad a 141 runs victory target for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL cricket tournament at the SMS stadium here tonight.

 Six policemen injured, police vehicle torched
Bagaha | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Six policemen were injured and their vehicle was torched by a mob enraged over the killing of one Suraj Yadav at Dhebri village under Dhanaha police station area in West Champaran district today.

 KSF to expose failure of major political parties: CPI
Mangalore | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Communist Party of India(CPI) Karnataka-unit Secretary H V Ananthasubba Rao today said Karnataka Sarvodaya Front(KSF), comprising parties like CPI, Republican Party of India(RPI) and All India Forward Bloc(AIFB) would expose the dismal performance of major political parties during their tenure. Talking to newspersons here, he said the front had fielded 50 candidates in the Assembly elections to protest against the failure of Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) and Janata Dal(JD(S) to protect the welfare of poor, downtrodden and the toiling masses. Mr Rao alleged that recognised parties had succumbed to the whims and fancies of mining lobby and land mafia. Tickets were given to many anti-social elements in the poll, he added.

 Bring human touch in working: President to IAS probationers
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today urged the IAS officers to administer with a human touch and implement schemes in their true spirit.

 Raj Thackeray refuses notice of Maharashtra Police
Mumbai | May 09, 2008 9:34:43 PM IST
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday refused to accept a notice issued by the Maharashtra Police to observe restraint and not to commit any cognisable offence through his speeches and writings which could create law and order problems in the state.his led the police team to paste the notice outside his Shivaji Park residence in Mumbai.

 Stage set for first phase of Karnataka Assembly polls
Bangalore | May 09, 2008 9:33:30 PM IST
All arrangements have been completed for the first phase of assembly elections in Karnataka.

 India to send more relief to Myanmar on Saturday
New Delhi | May 09, 2008 9:32:17 PM IST
India will send a second transport plane IL-76 with necessary relief material to Myanmar on Saturday for people affected by Cyclone Nargis.

 Maharashtra Police issues notice to Raj Thackeray for inciting violence
Mumbai | May 09, 2008 9:31:04 PM IST
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Friday said that a notice served on the Maharashtra Navnirmana Sena's (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray by the police for his inflammatory speech targeting North Indians was a warning to prevent such an offence in future.

 Scarlett Keeling case: Prime witness wants lookout notice lifted
Panaji | May 09, 2008 9:22:33 PM IST
The prime British witness in the Scarlett Keeling murder case, Michael Mannion, reportedly plans to approach the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court to seek withdrawal of a lookout circular issued against him by Goa Police.

 First phase of Karnataka polls: Facts at Glance
New Delhi | May 09, 2008 9:21:20 PM IST
Following are the key facts related to the first phase of Assembly elections in Karnataka:

 Closing ceremony of 150th anniversary of India's first War of Independence tomorrow
New Delhi | May 09, 2008 9:18:54 PM IST
The year-long celebration of 150 years of India's first War of Independence will come to an end here on Saturday.

 Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee bashes PM; reiterates prospect of Third Front
Kolkata | May 09, 2008 9:17:41 PM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Friday advocated the option for third front alleging that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has failed on all fronts.

 Poisonous gas leak claims three lives in Haryana
Karnal | May 09, 2008 9:14:02 PM IST
Leakage of some poisonous gas from a chimney of an iron foundry in Karnal district in Haryana claimed three lives on Friday.

 Indian Navy to acquire six more submarines
Mumbai | May 09, 2008 9:12:49 PM IST
India on Friday said it would soon float a global tender for six conventional submarines and develop a nuclear powered submarine.

 Child Flies High with Darsheel Safary on the Cover
New Delhi | May 09, 2008 9:11:36 PM IST
New Delhi, May 9 (ANI - Business Wire India): CHILD, the second issue of the new English monthly parenting magazine, hit the stands today with Darsheel Safary. The star of Taare Zameen Par.

 Jaffer Sharief denies appeal to vote for only Muslim candidates
Bangalore | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief today clarified that he had not appealed to Muslims to vote only for candidates of their community in the Karnataka Assembly elections. In a release here, he said, ''it has come to my notice that some mischievous elements have issued a pamphlet stating that I had appealed to the Muslim voters to vote only for Muslim candidates, which is false and far from truth.'' He said it was a well known fact that he was a staunch, committed and responsible Congressman and could never resort to such cheap propaganda. This was the act of some rumour mongers done with a sole intent of maligning him. ''I deny having issued any such pamphlet,'' he added.

 Arjun urges Nehru family to discern between loyal and sycophant
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh today attacked the prevailing culture in the Congress, saying loyalty was being measured in a very limited way by the present leadership.

 K'taka Governor withdraws order on NICE
Bangalore | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Acting on the objection raised by the Election Commission, Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur today ordered withdrawal of Government Order with regard to the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).

 Drizzles in MP
Bhopal | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Widespread drizzles brought down temperature today in Madhya Pradesh where Khandwa and Barwani districts experienced squalls and hail.

 Film Producer released on bail
Hyderabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Telugu Film Producer Abhinav Reddy, who surrendered before the city police yesterday, was released on bail after he was produced in a local court today.

 53 candidates file nominations for bypoll in AP
Hyderabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Fiftythree candidates today filed their nomination papers for the May 29 bypoll in 18 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh.

 Truck crushes kids in MP
Khargone | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Two children asleep in a field were crushed to death and one severely injured by a mini-truck at this district's Bediya village early today, police said.

 Governor withdraws order on NICE
Bangalore | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Acting quickly on the serious objection raised by the Election Commission, Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur today ordered withdrawal of Government Order with regard to Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).

 APCC asks party MPs to concentrate on bypolls
Hyderabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today called upon their MPs belonging to Telangana region to participate in the ensuing bypolls and work hard for the success of the party candidates.

 Parveen H Parekh elected SCBA President
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Senior Advocate Parveen H Parekh has been elected President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for the second consecutive term.

 61.43 lakh GSM subscribers added in April: COAI
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The country's telecom service providers have signed up 61.43 lakh GSM subscribers during April or a 3.19 per cent growth over the previous month, taking the total customers base to 19.88 crore. Vodafone Essar customer base increased 3.75 per cent or 16.54 lakh subscribers to take the total number of customers to 4.57 crore, whereas Bharti Airtel users rose to 6,43 crore by April-end, a hike of 3.85 per cent, according to the data released by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Idea has registered an increase of 4.33 per cent with addition of 10,38,076 users taking the total customers to 2.50 crore while BPL added 19,024 subscribers during last month, indicating a rise of 1.47 per cent to 13.13 lakhs.

 Shoaib unlikely to feature against Deccan Chargers
Kolkata | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Pakistan's pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar's waiting to play in the IPL's T20 seems unending as coach John Buchanan was not satisfied with the fitness of ''Rawalpindi Express'' as Kolkata travels to Hyderabad tomorrow to play Deccan Chargers on Sunday.

 Six Indian fishermen repatriated
Ramanathapuram | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Coast Guard (CG) today repatriated six Indian fishermen, who were recently arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly trespassing into the Sri Lankan Territorial Waters.

 Five Bhajan Lals fielded by rivals to create confusion:Bishnoi
Hisar | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Haryana Janhit Congress supremo Kuldip Bishnoi today released the party poll symbol (Electricity Poll).

 India, Bulgaria to enhance defence ties
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
India and Bulgaria have decided to further enhance their cooperation in the defence sector. A Bulgarian delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Economy and Energy Yavor Kuiumdjiev, held in-depth discussions with the Indian team, headed by Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, for the past two days.

 Aspiring actor held in Oshiwara murder case
Mumbai | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The police today arrested a 25-year-old struggling actor, hailing from Punjab, for the gruesome murder of Vikramjeet Singh, a resident of Amritsar.

 TDP demands action against Minister for 'criticising' EC
Hyderabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Alleging that the Congress Ministers were ''violating'' the Model Code of Conduct during the election campaign for the bypoll to 18 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats scheduled for May 29 in Andhra Pradesh, senior TDP leader and MP M V Mysoora Reddy today demanded that the Election Commission must take action against Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy for making ''objectionable remarks'' against the EC on May 10.

 Bapu calls upon Left to serve poor
Panchkula | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Hindu Religious preacher Bapu Asa Ram today said he would throw his weight behind communists if they actually started serving the poor.

 PEC Board of Governors reconstituted
Chandigarh | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Chandigarh Administration has reconstituted the Board of Governors of the Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University), Chandigarh.

 Farmers demand proper information about crop diseases
Nahan | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Farmers of Poanta Sahib of Sirmour District in Himachal Pradesh today demanded the departments concerned to provide them adequate and timely information about the various crop diseases.

 Panchaloha idols stolen from ancient temple
Vijayawada | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Four panchaloha idols were stolen from ancient Venkateswaraswamy temple at Adavinekkalam village in Aagiripalli Mandal of Krishna district today.

 Venkaiah moots formula for Ram Sethu
Bhopal | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Former Bharatiya Janata Party president M Venkaiah Naidu today suggested that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance adopt a three-point formula on the Ram Sethu issue.

 Smuggler commits suicide
Lucknow | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
A smuggler allegedly committed suicide at the Narcotics Bureau office here today.

 15 lakh litre RWH Project at Coca Cola bottling plant
Amritsar | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
General V P Malik, former Chief of Army Staff inaugurated a 15 lakh litre Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) project at the premises of Amritsar Crown Caps Pvt Ltd (ACCPL), Coca-Cola's franchise bottling plant here today. The project has been launched ahead of the monsoons to capture adequate rain water during the coming monsoon, in keeping with Coca-Cola's commitment to environment preservation and protection, Managing Director, Amritsar Crown Caps Ltd, Gurdip Singh Kandhari said adding , ''our eventual goal was to be a net zero user of groundwater in the area.''.

 ANIFPDCL ventures into ''NONI'' cultivation
Port Blair | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Plantation and Development Corporation Limited (ANIFPDCL), a sick government undertaking firm, has decided to venture into the Noni, cultivation business in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 Security personnel and sports officials clash before IPL match
Jaipur | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Tension prevailed at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, the venue of today's IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers, for sometime following a tiff between security personnel and Rajasthan Sports Council staff here.

 Kerala Police confirm Interpol notice against Swami
Kochi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Kerala police today confirmed that an Interpol lookout notice had been issued against Swami Amritananthachaithanya alias Santhosh Madhavan, whose guest house premises were raided by police here yesterday.

 INLD promises to enhance old age pension
Chandigarh | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today promised to enhance old age pension to Rs 700 per month if it returned to power in Haryana.

 SC clears decks for Ambedkar Park extension
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Supreme Court today cleared the decks for demolition of the three-year-old sports complex in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow for extension of the Ambedkar Park. A bench comprising Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju in their order said since the petition pending in the High Court had already been withdrawn, there was no need for stay against the demolition of the sports complex which was constructed only three years ago at the cost of about Rs 250 crores.

 Rahul to address tribal and dalit conferences
Bhubaneswar | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi will address state level dalit and tribal conferences during his one day visit to Orissa on May 13, Indian Youth Congress president Ashok Tanwar said here today.

 Fifty eight Sri Lankan Tamil refugees arrive
Rameswaram | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Fifty eight more Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, including 24 children, arrived in two batches, here today.

 Congress duping people, Bhajan has no future: Chautala
Hisar | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Indian National Lok Dal supremo Om Prakash Chautala today toured 18 villages of Adampur constituency to garner support for party candidate Sampat Singh.

 TRAI alarms Finance Ministry against entry of foreign players
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today alarmed the Finance Ministry that allowing foreign telecom players in 3G sector will have serious implications on the domestic telecom sector.

 No question of separation of Darjeeling: WB CM
Kolkata | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Dismissing the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha's (GJM) demands, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today ruled out any possibility of separating the hills and plains in Darjeeling.

 IPL fines Knight Riders, Royal Challengers
Kolkata | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Indian Premier League (IPL) today penalised Bangalore Royal Challengers and Kolkata Knight Riders for not completing their overs in the stipulated time.

 Police seize 25 colour dhotis meant for Lanka
Rameswaram | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Police seized twenty five colour dhotis, meant for being smuggled to Sri Lanka and arrested four persons in this connection at Susaiyappar Pattinam coastal hamlet, here today.

 NSCC urges Centre to evolve new policy on Ethanol
Tiruchirapalli | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The National Sugarcane Commodity Council (NSCC), of the consortium of Indian Farmers Associations today urged the Centre to evolve new policy on Ethanol, as it would benefit the sugarcane growers and the sugar industry in the country.

 Death toll rises to 36 in kishtwar bus accident
Jammu | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The death toll of bus accident in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir rose to 36 as two more passengers succumbed to their injuries, while six more bodies were recovered late last evening, official sources said here today.

 Situation in Nandigram now dangerous: Pradip Bhattacharjee
Kolkata | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
West Bengal Pradesh Congress acting president Pradip Bhattacharjee today said no 'impartial' election was possible in Nandigram. '' Presently the situation there is dangerous. The Opposition candidates were prevented from campaigning for the elections as the CPI(M) goons resorted to violence like hurling bombs on their houses and threatening them. So the question of conducting impartial election in the area does not arise,'' Mr Bhattacharjee told newspersons here.

 Goa police issue summons to Fiona MacKeown
Panaji | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Goa police have issued summons to Fiona MacKeown, mother of slain British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling, asking her to depose before the investigating agencies in view of her recent comments about the murder of her daughter.

 Gagan Narang wins bronze in men's rifle prone event
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Equalling the world record, ace shooter Gagan Narang shot a perfect 600 in the qualification round to win the Bronze medal in the men's rifle prone event of the 39th Grand Prix of Liberation in Pilzen, Czech Republic.

 Harbhajan, Sreesanth met Nanavati over slapgate issue
Ahmedabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Temperamental off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Team India's speedster S Sreesanth today appeared before the BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati, probing the slapgate involving them on April 25, after an IPC Match at Mohali.

 Infotech bags contract from Australia
Hyderabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The city-based Infotech Enterprises Limited, a Global Technology Solutions provider, today announced that it has been awarded a three year contract to provide solutions in GIS and data management services to Powercor Australia Ltd, one of the largest electricity distribution companies in Australia. In a press release, Infotech Chairman and Managing Director BVR Mohan Reddy said, ''we are proud to have won this contract from Powercor Australia. This agreement strengthens and reinforces the successful, long-term relationship Infotech has enjoyed with Powercor Australia.

 Infiltration from PoK may increase this summer: Army Chief
Srinagar | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor today expressed apprehension that infiltration from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) may increase in the summer months.

 Shah to be sworn in as new Chief Justice of Delhi HC
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Justice Ajeet Prakash Shah would be sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court here on Sunday.

 NHRC seeks comments from WB CS on Nandigram violence
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The National Human Rights Commission has sought comments from the West Bengal Chief Secretary on its 12-point recommendations on Nandigram violence, including payment of ex-gratia to families of people killed. The recommendations were given by a three-member committee of the Commission, which visited Nandigram on April 3 and 4, and held discussions with victims and several officials, including District Magistrate East Midnapore. The Committee was appointed on February 8 to suggest compensation for the damage and to ensure that the monetary relief reached genuine people.

 Global credit crisis singes not burns Asian banks; study
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The global credit crisis triggered by sub prime crisis caused by bursting of housing bubble in the United States has singed but not burnt Asian financial institutions because of their much smaller exposure to US mortgage-backed assets, according to a rating agency.

 Storms kill nine in Malda, mango orchard destroyed
Malda | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
At least nine people were killed and fifteen injured in lightning and storms in West Bengal's Malda district yesterday, official sources said today. Nor'wester with a velocity of over 150 kmph ripped through Malda's remote villages uprooting trees, flooring tin roofs and disconnecting power transmission line in vast areas, last evening.

 PETA asks Bush to turn veg, stop blaming India for food crisis
Mumbai | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Lambasting US President George Bush for blaming India for the current global food crisis, the Indian Chapter of a global NGO, People for Ethical Treatment of Animal, (PETA) today asked him to turn vegetarian to help resolve the crisis.

 CG repatriates six Indian fishermen
Ramanathapuram | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Coast Guard (CG) today repatriated six Indian fishermen, arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan Territorial Waters recently. A CG spokesperson said Pastin (27) hailing from Tuticorin district, Selvam (35), Jesu Abraham (50), Vellaichamy (24), Pitchai (22) and Antony (22) all hailing from Thangachimadam and Pamban coastal hamlets ventured into the sea for fishing in an outboard engine-fitted country boat on April 24 from Rameswaram. They were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy on April 27 for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in the Sri Lankan Territorial Waters.

 Mumbai team wins Microsoft 'Imagine Cup'
Bangalore | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Team Novices@Work from Institute of Technology, Vivekananda Educational Society, Mumbai, won the India leg of Imagine Cup, Microsoft's annual world-wide premier student technology competition here today.

 CEO warns people against bogus voting
Bangalore | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Karnataka State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M N Vidhyashankar today strongly warned people against indulging in bogus voting during the ensuing elections in the state.

 TN Teachers association urges Govt to pay on par with PGs
Tiruchirapalli | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Tamil Nadu All School Teachers Welfare Association today urged the State Government to bring the pay-scale of secondary-grade teachers working in Adidravida Welfare Schools on par with post graduate teachers.

 Couple consumes poison, girl dies
Mirzapur | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
A girl today committed suicide, while her lover was fighting for life in Jigna area here.

 BJP demands CBI probe into illegal power selling by companies
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Delhi BJP today demanded that a CBI enquiry be ordered into the ''misconduct'' of power companies which were illegaly selling power meant for the capital to outside states.

 Bird flu in Darjeeling's Terai region, culling starts tomorrow
Siliguri | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Darjeeling district administration today ordered culling of poultry in and around Sukna block, gateway of Darjeeling town, after an investigation found H5N1 avian flu strain in some dead birds.

 Robbers gang busted
Pune | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Police here today arrested five members of a gang, including a woman, who were allegedly involved in over 66 cases of robbery in Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Ahmedabad.

 Swaminathan backs Centre's decision to suspend futures trading
Kochi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Throwing his weight behind the Centre's decision to suspend futures trading in four commodities till September 6, noted Agriculture Scientist M S Swaminathan today said the move would help to discourage speculative holding of commodities and control unwarranted price rise.

 Kerala HC admits pleas on 'single window' admission
Kochi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The Kerala High Court today admitted two petitions challenging the 'single window' system for admissions to 'Plus Two' courses in the state, announced recently by the LDF government.

 WWICS to assist Indian business persons seek PR across EU
Hyderabad | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Chandigarh-based resettlement solutions company, World Wide Immigration Counsultancy Services (WWICS) today said it intends to assist Indian business persons seek Permanent Residency (PR) across European Union (EU) and Commonwealth countries.

 Baba Santa Singh cremated amidst tight security
Patiala | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Baba Santa Singh, the 13th chieftain of the Budha Dal sect of the Nihang Sikhs, was cremated here this afternoon amidst tight security. Baba Santa Singh died yesterday at Local Rajindra Hospital after prolonged illness.

 Bail of Amit and nurse Linda dismissed
Ambala | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
The bail applications of kidney scam kingpin Dr Amit Kumar and his accomplice nurse Linda were dismissed by the special CBI Magistrate Dr Abdul Majid here today. However, he granted bail to three other alleged accused Umesh, Ramesh and Suresh who had earlier applied for it.

 CM meeets LG on selective sealing
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today met Lt Governor Tejender Khanna on the sealing drive being carried out in the capital allegedly in a discriminatory manner.

 Scholarships To Help Bright, Poor Kids Do Hr Sec
New Delhi | Friday, May 9 2008 IST
At least 100,000 scholarships will be disbursed every year to encourage meritorious students from economically weaker sections to continue in school after class VIII, the Human Resource Development Ministry announced today.