Red revenge: Naxals gun down 11 in Bihar
Raid, set afire houses of ‘police informers’
Patna, February 18
Just a day after the Bihar government said it would not to go very harsh against the Naxals during the ongoing “Operation Green Hunt” against them in four states, suspected Maoists raided a village under Jamui district, around 200 kms away from the state capital on late Wednesday night, killing at least 11 persons.

Gadkari heralds a subtle shift
Indore, February 18
A subtle shift in emphasis marked the change that took place with new BJP president Nitin Gadkari formally relieving outgoing president Rajnath Singh at party’s national council meeting here today.

Gadkari’s ‘exchange’ offer raises hackles

Harbhajan Singh (C) celebrates with teammates after India won the second Test against South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday. India drew the series 1-1 with an innings and 58-run win on the last day with just about four overs left. Harbhajan was the star with a five-wicket haul and South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who was declared Man of the Match and Man of the series, scored his third ton (127 n.o.) of the series. — Reuters   Sports page: Singh sings, india swings

No clarity on talks agenda
New Delhi, February 18
Despite a meeting between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik yesterday, the agenda for the talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan here on February 25 is still not clear.

World page: Vibes from other side not encouraging: Gilani

Fiery Mamata reduced to tears
New Delhi, February 18
She is normally full of fire and brimstone and difficult to put down. However, the unthinkable happened today when Trinamool leader and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee was literally reduced to tears.

MPs can now wear Tricolour to Lok Sabha
New Delhi, February 18
In a pleasant and much-awaited change of mind, the Lok Sabha today decided to allow Members of Parliament to wear the Tricolour to the House.

10 kg of ammonium nitrate seized
Patiala, February 18
With the recovery of about 10 kg of ammonium nitrate (used in explosives) today, the Punjab police has claimed to have foiled attempts of a terrorist outfit to create disturbance in the state.

Alagiri backtracks on subsidy proposal New Delhi, February 18 The Union Cabinet today witnessed an unusual spectacle when the decision to remove subsidies on fertilisers was opposed by the very minister who moved the proposal.