Wednesday, April 9, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Allies hound Saddam with bunker-buster bombs
3 scribes killed * Bush, Blair see vital role for UN in post-war Iraq

Dubai, April 8 US forces dropped bunker-busting bombs demolishing a building in Baghdad where they believed Saddam Hussein and his two sons were meeting and launched an all out assault on key government buildings in the capital today as they faced a major counter offensive at the hands of Iraqis.
Bush and Blair have turned their attention to the postwar period, and are expected to paper over whatever differences they have on the extent of the UN role in Iraq. — Reuters photo

War on Iraq ‘deplored’ at last
LS passes unanimous resolution
New Delhi, April 8
The Lok Sabha today unanimously passed a resolution deploring the attack by the United States of America, the United Kingdom and their allies on Iraq and calling for an end to the war.

Nation page
Indians left Iraq ‘voluntarily’

A series of explosions in the building housing the Iraqi Planning Ministry in Baghdad, following a US air strike on Tuesday. — Reuters photo

Nation page Allies avoid street fights in Baghdad World page Pentagon sends in successor to Saddam Protest follows Bush to Belfast Editorial Quibbling over words The US ‘shock and awe’ tactics

VAT to be implemented from June 1
New Delhi, April 8
The proposed implementation of value-added tax (VAT) has been postponed by two more months, with the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers deciding to implement the new tax structure from June 1.

Staff selection board chairman booked
Shimla, April 8
Mr S.M. Katwal, chairman of the state subordinate selection board, has been booked by the Enforcement Department under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the selection of vidya upasaks.

Himachal page
Board bends rules to adjust ‘favourites’

Job for Shanta: in BJP central office?
New Delhi, April 8
A day after former Rural Development Minister Shanta Kumar quit the Vajpayee Cabinet at the direction of the Bharatiya Janata Party high command, there was speculation today in the party circles over his possible accommodation in the central office of the organisation after a reshuffle.