87 school kids burnt to death in TN
Kumbakonam, July 16
At least 87 children were killed in a devastating fire in a school today in this small Tamil Nadu town, 400 km from Chennai, while 32 admitted to hospital with severe burn injuries.

An injured child is taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a school in Kumbhakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu on Friday. — PTI photo

Kohli pleads innocence; legal formalities may delay extradition

Kolkata, July 16 Legal formalities are likely to delay the extradition of Maninderpal Singh Kohli, the prime accused in the killing of British girl Hannah Foster, from India to England. Punjab to hasten process Editorial: Kohli in custody Chandigarh page: Fosters smile after 15 months

Maninder Pal Kohli faces the media in the Himalayan town of Kalimpong. — Reuters photo

Centre kept House in dark on SYL: Oppn
New Delhi, July 16
Opposition members today criticised the government for not taking the House into confidence before referring the Sutlej-Yamuna link canal issue to the Supreme Court.

Amarinder did not act on his own, says INLD
In graphic: Water network of Punjab and neighbouring states
Haryana: Politicking on Punjab’s Act gains momentum
Ludhiana page: Punjab not a water surplus state, say experts 

Mulayam inducts Raja Bhaiya into Cabinet
Lucknow, July 16
Ending days of speculation, POTA detainee Raja of Kunda, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya, was finally sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the UP Government this afternoon by Governor T.V. Rajeswar the Congress, an ally, was conspicuous by its absence at the swearing-in ceremony. 

SC rejects plea on ‘tainted’ ministers
New Delhi, July 16
The Supreme Court today declined to entertain a petition challenging the inclusion of four “tainted” ministers belonging to the RJD in the UPA government, saying it would be premature to examine the issue as it is being debated in Parliament.

Fresh Godhra probe politically motivated: Nitish
New Delhi, July 16
The decision of the government to hold another probe into the Godhra carnage is “highly politically motivated” and will not serve any purpose, said former Railway Minister Nitish Kumar.

Nation page: Govt playing votebank politics with Godhra, says BJP

Post-Yechury outburst, PM, Surjeet decide on joint panel New Delhi, July 16 As relations between the Congress and the Left parties hit a rough patch, CPM leader Harkishen Singh Surjeet called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today in an effort to "clear the air" and ensure better coordination in future. Nation page: No deadline on FDI issue: CPM