Pak softening on Sir Creek
New Delhi, September 11
The chances of a bilateral resolution of the maritime border dispute between India and Pakistan on the Sir Creek issue have brightened with Islamabad’s softening its decades-old stand, sources said today.

India a partner in fight against terrorism, says Rumsfeld
Security on high alert at US, UK embassies

Indian students wary of joining US varsities
A growing number of international students, wary of the complex visa procedures and put off by the elevated scrutiny of foreigners in the United States, are deciding against enrolling in American universities.

Punjab may file caveat in SC
Move to pre-empt Badals’ review petition
New Delhi, September 11
The Punjab Government is contemplating to file a caveat in the Supreme Court as a pre-emptive measure to put across its views before the apex court in the event of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son, Sukhbir Singh Badal, challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court order dismissing their petition on the question of sanction for prosecuting them in the corruption case.

The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is welcomed by his Tanzanian counterpart, Benjamin William Mkapa, on arrival at the Dar-es-Salaam International Airport on Saturday. — Reuters photo In video (28k, 56k)

On the trail of wife’s killer
Police demanding favours from NRI
Chandigarh, September 11

The Punjab Police, which went on a self-congratulatory spree after nabbing Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, is now under a cloud for allegedly demanding favours from a US-based NRI who is here in the hope of nabbing the killer of his wife and daughter. Vijay Narula, whose wife and daughter were murdered in the USA, shows the photo of accused Lovkesh during a press conference at the Press Club, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — Photo by Pradeep Tewari

Security around Afzal Khan tomb tightened
Satara, September 11
The district administration has tightened security in the wake of VHP’s threat to demolish “illegal structures” near Mughal commander Afzal Khan’s tomb in Pratapgarh Fort here tomorrow, while the Shiv Sena and the Hindu Ekta Andolan have withdrawn from the agitation.

Pranab denies troops’ involvement
Monorama rape case
Kolkata, September 11
The Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, denied today that either the Army or the Assam Rifles had been involved in any way in the raping of Monorama in Manipur which sparked off chaos and disorder in the state. Still the troops had been held responsible for the crime committed by the state police there, he regretted.

Chautala draws water from birthplace of Bhai Kanhaiya Chandigarh, September 11 Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala said today that disputes could not be resolved with bullet, but only through dialogue. He said the peace process between India and Pakistan, initiated by former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had now started gaining momentum. Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala carries a “mushk” containing sacred water at Sodhra village in Pakistan on Saturday.