In video: The group that claims it kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl has threatened to kill him within 24 hours. 
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Vajpayee to attend CHOGM
New Delhi, January 31
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would be visiting Australia on February 28 for attending Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet where the issue of terrorism is likely to top the agenda.

• Pak not invited to C’wealth meeting

Dostum seeks India’s help
New Delhi, January 31
The Deputy Defence Minister Afghanistan Abdul Rashid Dostum today met Defence Minister George Fernandes and External Affairs Secretary Chokila Iyer and urged India to play a significant role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Dayal asks Cong to tame rebels
Amritsar, January 31
With a view to smoothen matters between the Communist Party of India and the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, a closed door meeting was held between Capt Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief, and Dr Joginder Dayal, CPI state chief.

MC floats tenders in code violation
Bathinda, January 31
In a blatant violation of the model code of conduct, the local Municipal Council floated tenders for various development works in the city on January 26.

Prabhat Kumar quits as Governor
New Delhi, January 31
The controversial year-long tenure of Mr Prabhat Kumar as Jharkhand Governor came to an end tonight with his resignation following allegations that he accepted hospitality of a tainted businessman when he was Cabinet Secretary.

• Editorial: Hall of ill-fame

Probe illegal structures near arms dump: HC
Chandigarh, January 31
Coming down heavily on Punjab’s Chief Secretary for submitting a report that “concealed more than it revealed” in a case pertaining to unauthorised constructions, including marriage palaces, within 1000 yards of Baddowal army ammunition dump on the Ludhiana-Ferozepore road, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed Ludhiana’s District and Sessions Judge to hold another inquiry into the matter.

CM summoned in land-grab case Bathinda, January 31 Mr Surinder Mohan, Chief Judicial Magistrate, here today issued summons against the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the Science and Technology Minister, Mr Chiranji Lal Garg and the Additional Chief Administrator, Mr Ajaib Singh Bhatti, for securing their appearance in person or through their counsel on February 12 in a civil suit filed against them by an advocate, Mr N.K. Garg, in connection with the alleged grabbing of government land measuring 400 acres.