No cut in torch relay
Tibetan surge in San Francisco
Beijing, April 9
Protesters angered over China’s crackdown in Tibet marched in San Francisco ahead of the Olympic torch’s arrival today, but Olympics chief Jacques Rogge said “there are no plans to cut short a global relay”. The torch will be carried through the West coast city during the flame’s only US stop.

Nation page: Rahul Gandhi may decline IOC invite

‘Land grab’ by DGP’s son Chandigarh, April 9 Members of the local Vishwakarma Ruhani Mission Trust, Ratwara Sahib, and a few other persons today accused Punjab Police DGP N.P.S. Aulakh’s son Sumer Pratap Singh Aulakh of obtaining general power of attorney (GPA) of a disputed piece of land on the same day the high court granted status quo on the transfer of the land.

It’s an attempt to tarnish my image, says Aulakh

At last, acid-attack victims find support
NCW finalises draft legislation for their rehabilitation
New Delhi, April 9
Mounting cases of acid attacks on women have finally forced the policy makers to sit up and react. For the first time in the history of this crime, victims seem to have found some support, with the National Commission for Women (NCW) finalising its draft bill on the “Prevention of offences by acid attacks”.

Hooda backs separate SGPC for Haryana
New Delhi, April 9
The plan to form a separate Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee to manage the Sikh affairs and gurdwaras in Haryana got a new lease of life as Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today asked Congress president Sonia Gandhi to ensure that Sikhs in the state get a right to determine their own affairs.

‘EPL’ set to take on IPL
London, April 9
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is about to unveil plans for a 20:20 cricket tournament to rival the much-publicised Indian Premier League (IPL), whose inaugural event gets underway next week.

10 killed as Nepal goes to polls today

Nepalese women stand near an election poster at Jhiljhiley village in Eastern Nepal on Wednesday. — AFP photo (Details in World page)

Indo- Africa Summit
Not in race with China to woo Africa: PM
New Delhi, April 9
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought to allay apprehensions that India was in race or competition with China or any other country to woo Africa stating that New Delhi was seeking to be a partner of Africa’s resurgence.

Talks with Pak on May 20
New Delhi, April 9
India and Pakistan are going to pick up the thread again to normalise bilateral relations as the two sides will meet in Islamabad on May 20 to resume the composite dialogue that has been waiting for a signal form the new government in Islamabad.

H-1B visa power by lottery Washington, April 9 With the US immigration authorities getting enough applications for H-1B visas coveted by Indian IT professionals within a week, a random lottery will pick 65,000 lucky winners for 2009.