6 months on, govt in tatters over return of judges
Sharif pulls out of Pak coalition, names candidate against Zardari
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday pulled out of the four-party ruling coalition on differences over restoration of judges and the presidential election. It also named its own candidate for the president, former chief justice Saeeduzzama Siddiqui to challenge PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari.

Editorial: Coalition crisis Nawaz Sharif and his party candidate for the upcoming presidential election Saeed- uz-Zaman Siddiqui (right) before a press conference in Islamabad. — AFP photo

Shibu Soren invited to form govt in Jharkhand
Ranchi, August 25
Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Raz tonight invited JMM president Shibu Soren to form the government, Raj Bhawan sources said. The Governor has asked Soren to take floor test on or before September1.

Two killed, 12 churches torched in Orissa
Bhubaneswar, August 25
Two persons, including a woman, were burnt to death, a pastor critically injured and at least 12 churches were torched during a 12-hour bandh called today in Orissa by the saffron brigade in protest against the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.

N-Deal US: We’ll push for clean waiver New Delhi, August 25 The Indo-US nuclear deal is facing rough weather amid growing impression in official circles that Washington is not doing enough to fulfil its commitment to get a clean NSG waiver for India. US assistant secretary of state for South Asia Richard Boucher arrives for a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. — AFP photo

Tribune Special
Health bill factors in bio-terror
New Delhi, August 25
Realising the potential of terrorist attacks, the government has named bioterrorism as a major public health challenge under its brand new legislation on the subject. The very title of the just-drafted public health bill reflects the urgency to combat new-age infections and threats, including disasters like Tsunami, epidemics like Mad Cow Disease, Avian Influenza and SARS.

Biofuel: Algae takes lead over jatropha New Delhi, August 25 In the endevour to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions to achieve a clean environment, humble algae appears to be taking a lead over the more-talked-about biodiesel source jatropha. Experts say that algae farming in less than 1 per cent of India’s total land can make the country self-sufficient in liquid fuel.