India, Pak vow to fight terror

Islamabad, July 23 Pushing the peace process forward, India and Pakistan today spoke of the need for tackling terrorism with “renewed vigour” and continuing their dialogue in an atmosphere free of violence, in the first high-level political contact between the UPA government and President Pervez Musharraf.	Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf (left) greets Foreign Minister Natwar Singh in Islamabad on Friday. — Reuters In video (28k, 56k)
Natwar back in India World page: CBMs useless without settling Kashmir issue, says Pervez

PM asks Soren to resign
New Delhi, July 23
The Prime Minister late tonight sought Coal Minister Shibu Soren’s resignation, against whom arrest warrant had been issued in a 30-year-old case. Mr Soren still remains untraceable. The Prime Minister has sent a letter seeking the resignation through the staff of the JMM leader and is awaiting the latter’s reply.

Nation page
JMM faces crisis over Soren
JMM leader quits

Workers told not to go to Iraq
Ultimatum to kill hostages ends today
New Delhi July 23
The Government of India today suspended emigration clearance for workers for Iraq and “advised” Indian workers against going to Iraq even as hectic multi-national back-channel efforts were on to secure early and safe release of seven hostages in Iraq, including three Indians.
In video (28k, 56k)

Punjab page: Hostages’ families appeal to PM, ultras

Mumbai bandh: Sena, BJP fined Rs 40 lakh
Mumbai, July 23
The Bombay High Court has fined the Shiv Sena and the BJP Rs 20 lakh each for causing inconvenience to the people of Mumbai by causing a bandh in the city last year.
In video: Bandh paralyses life in Tripura. (28k, 56k)

Punjab’s drive to save power
Offices to work from 8 am to 2 pm
Chandigarh, July 23
No airconditioners will be allowed in government offices in Punjab which will now function from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. as the State Government announced a series of austerity measures to tide over severe power crisis aggravated by failure of south-west monsoon.

Left urges PM to stall airports’ privatisation
New Delhi, July 23
The Left today urged the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "stall" the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports and consider the "alternative proposal" submitted by airport employees.