Saturday, May 26, 2007, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Dera silence stalls peace bid
Agnivesh seeks help of PM, Sonia
Chandigarh, May 25
Efforts for a peaceful settlement of the unsavoury dera controversy appear to have run into a stonewall with the dera leadership refusing to acknowledge any communication from the all-religion delegation led by Swami Agnivesh since last night.

Situation ‘highly explosive’

Punjab page: We can handle: Sukhbir

Tarlochan Singh meets Hooda

Makkar, Vedanti talk dera matters
CM should stop using SGPC chief as his puppet, says Sarna
Amritsar, May 25
SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar today paid an unscheduled visit to the residence of Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and held an in-camera meeting for about 15 minutes to discuss the Sikh-Sacha Sauda stand-off here today.

Row goes to SC
New Delhi, May 25
Even as the mediation by religious leaders to resolve the Dera Sacha Sauda controversy was on, the sect headed by Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh today approached the Supreme Court seeking protection for its over 100 institutions spread over 13 states with its lawyer making a frantic bid to get an urgent hearing.

One more snub from China
India cancels visit by group of IAS officers
New Delhi, May 25
China administered a sharp diplomatic snub to India yesterday by refusing to issue a visa to Gonesh Koyu, an IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh cadre who was travelling as a part of a 107-strong delegation of IAS officers.

India: The Tasks Ahead
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS,
INAUGURAL SESSION

1857 The First Challenge Special supplement to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s first War of Independence.

After Kalam, Who? Maya keeps them guessing: After throwing enough hints that she was ready to do business with the ruling alliance, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati (being felicitated in the picture) today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, but kept her party’s cards to herself on presidential candidate. Nation page: Maya meets Sonia, mum on presidential nominee Maya promises to stunt growth of ‘transfer industry’

Cong retains Shimla MC
Captures 15 of the 25 seats
Shimla, May 25
Shattering the BJP dream of gaining control over the Shimla municipal corporation (MC), the Congress retained its hold over the prestigious body for the fifth consecutive term by winning 15 of the 25 wards. Details on Himachal page

Looking Ahead, Looking Back
Deft strokeplay by Cong, SAD
Chandigarh, May 25
Neither the prevailing religious confrontation nor its pattern and form are new to Punjab. It has witnessed such violent confrontations in the past. However, what is new is the time-frame.

Pak told to shut militant camps in PoK
Euro Parliament criticises failure to protect human rights
New Delhi, May 25
The European Parliament has come down heavily on Pakistan's repeated failure to protect human rights in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in Gilgit and Baltistan and asked Islamabad to close down militant camps operating from that country.

Girls outshine boys in Class XII exam
New Delhi, May 25
This year again girls have outshone boys in Plus II examination results declared by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) today. The total pass percentage this year is 80.64, an increase of 1.09 per cent from last year.

Adidas finds Sachin on the wrong foot New Delhi, May 25 Sports goods maker Adidas today dragged its rival Nike and cricket board BCCI to Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) over use of Sachin Tendulkar's images for endorsements when he is not playing for the country.