Hostages are safe
Freedom expected in a day or two

New Delhi, August 2 The negotiating process between the captors and the Kuwaiti employers of the captives had reached “a delicate stage” this evening. Sheikh Hisham al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi tribal leader, mediating with kidnappers for the release of seven kidnapped truck drivers, leaves a press conference in Baghdad on Monday. — AP/PTI photo In video (28k, 56k)

Footage of 4 Jordanian hostages aired
Punjab page:
Caught between the devil and the deep sea
Sukhdev’s kin remain on tenterhooks
World page: Somali truck driver may be released
Himachal page: CM visits kin of hostages

SC notices to Centre, 6 states on SYL issue
New Delhi, August 2
The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and six northern states on the Presidential reference made for its opinion on the constitutional validity of the Act passed by Punjab, terminating all water accords with neighbouring states.
In video (28k, 56k)
Capt warned again
Haryana page: HVP to continue struggle for river waters
Graphic: SC notices on water treaty scrapping

Nine MLAs among over 1,200 arrested
Trinamool Congress-sponsored Bangla bandh
Kolkata, August 2
Over 1,200 persons including nine Trinamool Congress MLAs, were arrested in connection with the 12-hour Bangla bandh today. Except for some sporadic incidents of violence, the bandh was peaceful.

	PUNJAB: Farmers disrupt rail traffic
	HARYANA: Verma report on liquor smuggling presented in House
	J&K: NC ex-minister’s house attacked; 4 militants held
	HIMACHAL: Manali-Leh highway still cut off
	DELHI: SC stays ad hoc registration of industries
	CHANDIGARH: It poured chaos on city roads
	LUDHIANA: Kidnap bid foiled; five nabbed
	OPINIONS:  Rains are here, at last!
	BUSINESS: Panel to study IDPL revival
	NATION: Speed up poll reforms, CEC asks PM
	WORLD: Cyber footprints of terror
	SPORTS: Paes-Bhupathi duo lifts Toronto Masters crown

Jobs & Careers

Shore way to a bright future

Shibu Soren surrenders

Jamtara, (Jharkhand), August 2 In a double blow to beleaguered JMM chief Shibu Soren, a court here today rejected his bail plea and sent him to 14 days’ judicial custody after he surrendered in compliance with a high court directive while a Giridih court rejected his revision petition against a non-bailable arrest warrant.	Shibu Soren
Special article: Problems before the PM

Rain brings relief, happiness

Chandigarh, August 2 Though late by a month, the south-west monsoon is finally here, in full vigour, to the great relief of not only farmers and powermen but also small scale industrialists, traders, businessmen and above all a common man.	Stranded scooterist tries to manoeuvre her vehicle during heavy rain in Chandigarh on Monday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan
Weather page: Rain to continue in region Met says August will be wet

Vohra holds talks with Patil