Conflicting reports on hostage crisis
India has no confirmation of release
New Delhi, August 1
The 11-day-old Iraq hostages crisis remained unresolved from the Indian point of view following conflicting reports about whether the hostages had been released or not and two top officials of the Government of India telling The Tribune tonight that there was no confirmation on the release of the hostages.

Blockade off after hostage’s kin appeal
Editorial: Anger in Una
Punjab page: Indian drivers being forced to work in Iraq.
Thousands of Indians “being detained” by US Army
Himachal page: Una blockade: some harass tourists, others come to rescue

Sports page: Lanka strangle India, lift Asia Cup Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu holds aloft the Asia Cup Trophy after Sri Lanka defeated India in the final at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Chasing Sri Lanka's score of 228 for nine, India fell short by 25 runs and were 203 for 9 at close.  — AFP photo

Marginal victory for developing nations at WTO
New Delhi, August 1
Developing countries, led by India and Brazil, have gained marginal victory at the WTO when the EU, the US and other developed countries agreed to sign the deal leading to slashing of billions of dollars in farm subsidies even though a date has yet to be fixed.

Non-compliance of MBBS admission schedule irks SC
New Delhi, August 1
Expressing displeasure over non-adherence to the time schedule for completing admissions to the MBBS course in government medical colleges, the Supreme Court has asked eight states, including Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, to state reasons for the lapse.

CPM to protest hike in petro prices
New Delhi, August 1
The CPM said today that the coordination committee between the UPA and the Left parties had been “almost finalised”.

Punjab, Haryana oppose concessions to hill states
Chandigarh, August 1
Many states, including Punjab and Haryana have disagreed with the Central Government on certain issues involving services tax.

Indo-Pak talks to come on track tomorrow
Islamabad, August 1
The Indo-Pak composite dialogue process will gather pace from next week.

Flash floods destroy Kothi bridge
One washed away, vehicles stranded
Kothi (Manali), August 1
Hundreds of vehicles and Army trucks remained stranded near the tiny village of Kothi, 13 km from here, north of Manali on the Manali-Leh Highway last night at about 12.25 am.

Newly constructed staff quarters at the 200-kilowatt micro hydel project at Kothi, near Manali, washed away by flash floods.
— Photo by M.C. Thakur

Rain brings cheer to farmers in region Chandigarh, August 1 The smile is back on the face of the farmering community in this region as rain gods have started showing a bit of kindness to them (farmers). Chandigarh page: Rain brings relief to city residents Ludhiana page: Weatherman predicts some cheer