SC suspends mining in Aravallis
New Delhi, May 8
The Supreme Court today “suspended all mining operations in the Aravalli Hill Range” in Faridabad and Gurgaon districts, including Mewat, till a “Reclamation Plan” approved by the state, the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was put in place.

China vocal over US influence, troops
‘Superpower’s strategy needs corrective steps to contain terrorism in region’

In a surprisingly candid public comment, China has voiced concern over the “too high” US military presence in the region. “China is concerned over the increasing US influence in the region,” Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhaohui said here, adding that the number of foreign forces was “too high” in the region.

US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates speaks to US troops during his visit to Forward Operating Base Airborne in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, on Friday. Gates said the Taliban “overreached” when they advanced on a district of Pakistan just outside the capital city. Gates, visiting next-door Afghanistan, said he was encouraged that the Pakistani Army is taking on the Taliban. — Reuters

SC gets tough on campus ragging
New Delhi, May 8
The Supreme Court today directed all the states to set up two committees each, one for de-addicting the students hooked to alcoholism and another for providing counselling, both psychiatric and psychological, that would deal with the root-cause of rampant ragging on campuses across the country.

NSA against Varun invalid: UP Advisory Board
Lucknow, May 8
In a major setback to the Mayawati government, the Allahabad High Court’s state advisory board has not confirmed the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to invoke NSA against Pilibhit BJP candidate Varun Gandhi.

State to move SC

Lalu too busy to attend Cabinet meet
New Delhi, May 8
With key members of the Congress-led UPA - RJD) and the LJP - miffed over Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's praise of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the grand old party on Friday made an all-out attampt to save the situation from getting further out of hand.

Kasab killed ASI Omble: Witness
Mumbai, May 8
Police sub-inspector Bhaskar Kadam, the first witness to be examined in the Mumbai terror attacks, today identified Mohammad Ajmal Amir Iman, alias Kasab, as the gunman who killed his colleague assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Omble. Kadam along with Omble were among the police officers who were tasked with catching the terrorists.

EC to assess polls in 6 Bihar segments
JD(U), BJP cry foul, call it a ‘conspiracy’ by Lalu
Patna, May 8
A day after the polls for the Lok Sabha ended in Bihar, the Election Commission has sent high-level enquiry teams to probe and assess whether the procedures of polling were followed properly in six Lok Sabha constituencies of the state.

Third Front ‘poised to defeat’ Cong, BJP Karat says Patnaik will play crucial role in govt formation Bhubaneswar, May 8 Third Front was “well-poised” to defeat the Congress and the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat claimed today and said BJD chief Naveen Patnaik would play an important role in government formation at the Centre. Editorials: A shocking give and take Low polling in Delhi, Bihar